UGC-NET Exam: Amid Concerns Over Integrity, NTA Announces Cancellation of Exam

New Delhi: Amidst all the uproar questioning the integrity of various exams being conducted across the country, the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Wednesday announced cancellation of the UGC-NET examination 2024 day after the conclusion of the exam, following the prima facie indications that the integrity of the examination was compromised. The Ministry of Education stated that the UGC-NET examination will be rescheduled, with new dates to be announced soon. Notably, the exam was held on June 18, however, after receiving alleged irregularities in it, the NTA announced the cancellation.

The Union Ministry also stated that the case of examination irregularities will be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further investigation. The decision, backed by the Ministry of Education, comes after the University Grants Commission (UGC) received alarming inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

Fresh schedule will be announced soon, says the Ministry

In its statement, the Ministry of Education revealed, saying, "The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination in OMR (pen and paper) mode on 18th June, 2024, in two shifts across different cities of the country. On 19th June, 2024, the UGC received certain inputs from the I4C under the Ministry of Home Affairs. These inputs prima facie indicate that the integrity of the aforesaid examination may have been compromised."

The Ministry, in order to uphold transparency and the sanctity of the examination process, has decided to cancel the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination and announced that a fresh examination will be scheduled soon.

Earlier, the NEET (UG) 2024 Examination came under scrutiny following allegations of irregularities. Addressing these concerns, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured strict action against any misconduct. 

Reforms in the functioning of the NTA were also advocated by the Union Education Minister. "A lot of reforms are required in NTA's functioning, though it is an autonomous institution. The government is concerned about this. I want to reassure that no culprit will be spared; strict action will be taken against them," Pradhan added.

The NEET-UG examination, essential for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India, was conducted on May 5 at 4,750 centres across 571 cities. The results, declared on June 4, were quickly followed by concerns from parents and teachers regarding the grace marks awarded to 1,563 students.