No Carbon Copies, Poor Management: UGC NET Candidates Allege Major Loopholes After NEET Controversy

New Delhi: Following the controversial NEET-UG exam earlier this year, candidates of the UGC NET have raised several serious concerns about the examination process conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 18, 2024. The UGC NET, held in pen-paper mode for the first time since 2018, saw a total of 11,21,225 registered candidates, including 6,35,587 females, 4,85,579 males, and 59 third-gender candidates.

Absence of Carbon Copy in OMR Sheets

One of the primary complaints from candidates revolves around the absence of carbon copies in the OMR sheets provided during the exam. Traditionally, carbon copies allow candidates to retain a record of their answers, which is crucial for future reference and claims. The lack of this feature has led to suspicions regarding the transparency and reliability of the examination process.

A candidate voiced their concern on X, stating, "Hi, UGC NET_JUNE24' Aspirants, Did u notice that today's OMR sheet was carbon copy less? Doesn't it mean that a candidate will never-ever be able to claim what he/she has really done on the original sheet? Isn't it stinking fraudulent?" Another candidate added, "The absence of the carbon copy of the OMR sheet is alarming for genuine aspirants. It clearly means that the original OMR sheets of the deserving and even the undeserving candidates can be hijacked & can easily be defaced with the utmost utter favouritism."

Mismanagement and Overcrowded Exam Centers

Candidates have also expressed frustration over the mismanagement at exam centers. In Gurgaon, overcrowded conditions were reported, which facilitated cheating and created frequent disturbances while filling out OMR sheets. This has led to calls for the removal of the NTA to improve the examination process and safeguard education standards.

Inadequate Exam Center Facilities

Another significant issue raised by candidates concerns the allocation of exam centers. Many candidates were sent to remote locations with inadequate facilities. For instance, candidates assigned to SDSN Inter College in Devari, near Lucknow, reported a lack of basic amenities such as proper washrooms and desks. The route to the center was problematic, and the facility for storing bags was poorly managed, resulting in several candidates losing their belongings.

One candidate lamented on X, "NTA, we give you money 1200, 600, 300, in return you send us to some village so far away from Lucknow for the paper. SDSN is an inter-college. There is no washroom in Deori, no proper desks, no path. The person keeping the bags was very careless, many bags went missing."

Background on NEET-UG Fiasco

Earlier this year, the NEET-UG exam was marred by significant controversies, including technical glitches, mismanagement at exam centers, paper leak allegations and alleged malpractices. These issues led to widespread dissatisfaction and raised questions about the NTA's ability to conduct fair and transparent examinations. The recurring problems in the UGC NET have further intensified these concerns, leading to increased scrutiny of the NTA's examination processes.

The UGC NET 2024 examination, crucial for determining eligibility for assistant professors and junior research fellowships, has faced significant backlash from candidates due to these major loopholes. As the NTA prepares to release the answer keys for the June session exam, it remains to be seen how these grievances will be addressed to restore confidence in the examination system. Candidates are hoping for swift action to ensure a fair and transparent examination process in the future.