What Is the UGC-NET & Why Exam Was Cancelled? What Has Govt Said? All You Need To Know

The Ministry of Education on Wednesday announced the cancellation of the UGC-NET examination due to prima facie evidence indicating compromise in the exam’s integrity.

The UGC-NET June 2024 examination was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in pen and paper (OMR) mode on Tuesday, June 18, across various cities nationwide in two shifts.

The education ministry, in an official statement, acknowledged “it received certain inputs from National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs on the Examination.”

“To ensure the highest level of transparency and sanctity of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, Government of India has decided that the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination be cancelled,” the statement added.

What is UGC-NET examination?

UGC-NET, as per the official website, is a national eligibility test aimed at determining the eligibility of Indian nationals for roles such as ‘Assistant Professor’ and ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor’ in universities and colleges across India.

Additionally, it determines eligibility for several fellowships including those under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Minorities Affairs.

According to the website, candidates aspiring for these fellowships must also apply and qualify through this test.

Number of candidates in June 2024 Exam

According to NTA’s press release, the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination saw a total of 11,21,225 registered candidates, comprising 6,35,587 females, 4,85,579 males, and 59 third gender candidates. This marks an increase from last year’s UGC-NET December 2023 Exam, which had 9,45,872 registered candidates. The examination was conducted across 1,205 exam centers in 317 cities across the country.

Out of the total registered candidates, 81 per cent candidates appeared for the exam, compared to about 73.6 per cent attendance in the UGC-NET December 2023 Exam.

Who conducts UGC-NET?

UGC-NET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, the same body responsible for NEET-UG.

The examination is conducted biannually, in June and December, to streamline the UGC-NET examination cycle.

What’s next?

In the statement, the ministry announced that a fresh examination will be conducted, with details to be shared separately.

Additionally, it stated that the matter will be referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation

“A fresh examination shall be conducted, for which information shall be shared separately. Simultaneously, the matter is being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (C.B.I.) for thorough investigation in the matter,” the statement concluded.

Cancellation amid NEET row

The ministry’s announcement comes amid controversies surrounding the NEET(UG) 2024 Examination, with ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities in Patna.

The results of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 4, were released nearly 10 days ahead of schedule, coinciding with the announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha election results.

Concerns have been raised regarding the unusually high percentiles achieved by some students, with scores of 718 or 719 out of 720, which many have claimed to be impossible to attain. Aspirants have voiced concerns over alleged irregularities and paper leaks.

Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website.