UGC-NET 2024: Petition Filed in Supreme Court Seeking Stay on Cancellation of NTA NET June Exam

New Delhi: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Union Education Ministry's decision to cancel the UGC-NET exam due to concerns over the exam's integrity. The exam, initially held on June 18, was canceled the following day, with the case handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation into alleged paper leaks.

The petition, set to be heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, seeks to halt the re-examination of UGC-NET until the CBI completes its investigation. Advocate Ujjawal Gaur, who filed the plea, argues that the decision to cancel the exam was arbitrary and unjust, especially given recent findings by the CBI.

Submitted through advocate Rohit Pandey, the petition claims that the evidence of the paper leak is falsified, undermining the basis for the exam's cancellation. The petitioner contends that this unjust decision has caused significant distress, anxiety, and unnecessary expenditure for aspirants who had rigorously prepared for this crucial exam. The cancellation has disrupted the academic and professional plans of numerous students, shaking their trust in the examination system.

The plea argues that the cancellation, based on falsified evidence, is a gross miscarriage of justice and violates the principles of fairness and equity enshrined in the Constitution of India. The arbitrary nature of the decision reflects a lack of due diligence and a disregard for the welfare of students. Despite the ongoing investigation, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced new dates for the NET exam in August 2024.

The petitioner seeks directions for the CBI to expedite its inquiry into the UGC-NET paper leak allegations and submit a detailed report. Additionally, the plea requests that the respondents provide documentation and evidence supporting the cancellation decision, including specifics on the alleged paper leak and the methodology used to determine the leak on the dark web.

This year, the National Eligibility Test (NET) was conducted in pen-and-paper mode on June 18, with a record 11 lakh students registering for the exam. UGC-NET determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for the award of junior research fellowships, assistant professorships, and admission to PhD programs in Indian universities and colleges.