The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), initially conducted on June 18, was cancelled the following day due to reports of exam irregularities. Amidst ongoing controversies over the integrity of competitive exams, the National Testing Agency announced new dates for the UGC-NET, rescheduling it from August 21 to September 4. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan revealed that the exam’s question paper had been leaked on the darknet and circulated via Telegram, prompting a CBI investigation.
The UGC-NET determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship awards, assistant professor appointments, and PhD admissions. Unlike previous years where it was held online over multiple days, this year’s test was conducted offline in a single day. However, the rescheduled exam will revert to its original Computer-Based Test format spread across two weeks.
Additionally, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research UGC-NET (CSIR UGC-NET), postponed amid concerns about exam irregularities, is now set for July 25-27. This test is crucial for PhD admissions in various scientific disciplines including Chemical Sciences and Life Sciences.
The National Common Entrance Test (NCET) for admission to Integrated Teacher Education Programmes was also postponed just hours before its June 12 start date; it will now take place on July 10. The NCET is essential for entry into select central and state universities or institutions such as IITs and NITs.
These changes come amidst heightened scrutiny over alleged irregularities in major exams like NEET-UG and other PhD entrance tests.
Last week, the Centre announced the formation of a committee to guarantee that exams administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) are conducted transparently, smoothly, and fairly. Amid allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities surrounding the NEET, the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) was called off after the ministry received information suggesting that the exam’s integrity had been compromised. Additionally, as a precautionary measure, both the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research UGC NET (CSIR-UGC NET) and NEET-PG exams were also cancelled.
