The ongoing controversy surrounding entrance-level exams continues to develop, with the Ministry of Education recently declaring the cancellation of the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) examination. This decision, announced on Wednesday night, comes just a day after countless students nationwide took the exam. The ministry’s latest move further intensifies the ongoing NEET-UG dispute. Let’s delve into the current situation and anticipate what might happen next.
What does the UGC-NET exam entail, and who is responsible for its administration?
The UGC-NET exam, known as the National Eligibility Test, is administered to assess the eligibility of Indian citizens for roles as assistant professors and junior research fellowships in universities and colleges nationwide. It also serves as a criterion for admission to PhD programs. Additionally, it determines eligibility for various fellowships under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Minorities Affairs.
As per the UGC-NET official website, candidates seeking these fellowships must apply for and pass this examination. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the exam, typically in a Computer Based Test (CBT) format, twice a year in June and December. While NTA has been managing the test in CBT mode since 2018 on behalf of the UGC, this year’s exam was conducted in a pen-and-paper format.
Why was the exam called off?
The June exam took place on Tuesday (18 June) in OMR (pen and paper) format in two sessions across India. The decision to cancel the exam was made late Wednesday night (19 June) following advice from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, citing concerns about potential compromises to the examination’s integrity.
The National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs investigated the situation. “These inputs suggest that the integrity of the aforementioned examination may have been compromised,” stated the education ministry in a press release.
“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,” it added.
Government is committed to ensure the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students.
Ministry of Education has decided that the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination be cancelled on the basis of inputs from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry…
— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) June 19, 2024
The exam comprises two papers: a common one for all candidates and a subject-specific paper related to their specialization. With the cancellation affecting all participants, it suggests that the alleged “compromise” may be connected to the common paper.
However, the government’s statement lacks specifics on the nature of the issue.
How many candidates will be impacted?
The exam saw participation from nine lakh candidates at 1,205 centers across 317 cities.
According to the NTA, a total of 11,21,225 candidates registered, including 6,35,587 females, 4,85,579 males, and 59 third-gender candidates, marking an increase from the UGC-NET December 2023 exam which had 9,45,872 applicants.
Of the registered candidates, 81% appeared for the exam, a rise from the 73.6% attendance recorded in the December exam.
UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar shared on X, “NTA has successfully conducted UGC-NET June 2024, determining eligibility for (i) ‘award of Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as Assistant Professor’, (ii) ‘appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.’, and (iii) ‘admission to Ph.D. only’ in 83 subjects in OMR (Pen and Paper) format across two shifts (09:30 AM to 12:30 Noon and 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM).”
Today, NTA has successfully conducted UGC – NET June 2024 for determining the eligible candidates for (i) ‘award of Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as Assistant Professor’, (ii) ‘appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.’ and
— Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) June 18, 2024
Students will undergo a re-examination, details of which will be communicated separately, according to the education ministry. The ministry emphasized its commitment to upholding the integrity of exams and safeguarding students’ interests.
As of now, no specific date has been announced for the rescheduled test.
What is the next step in the case?
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will launch an investigation into the alleged compromise of the exam. Although there have been reports of a leaked exam paper, the education ministry has not disclosed specifics.
The cancellation of UGC-NET marks the first instance of a centrally conducted public exam being called off following the introduction of an anti-paper leak law earlier this year. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, enacted in February 2024, stipulates imprisonment ranging from three to five years and fines up to Rs 10 lakh for individuals engaging in unfair practices. This law is expected to be invoked in this case, as per sources cited by The Indian Express.
How have people responded to the government’s decision?
Following the cancellation announcement, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemned the government’s perceived laxity and called for accountability.
In a post on X, she expressed concerns about the impact of the government’s alleged laxity and corruption on the youth. She questioned whether the education minister would take responsibility for the canceled exams and the feared irregularities associated with them.
भाजपा सरकार का लीकतंत्र व लचरतंत्र युवाओं के लिए घातक है।
NEET परीक्षा में हुए घपले की खबरों के बाद अब 18 जून को हुई NET की परीक्षा भी गड़बड़ियों की आशंका के चलते रद्द की गई।
क्या अब जवाबदेही तय होगी? क्या शिक्षा मंत्री इस लचरतंत्र की जिम्मेदारी लेंगे?
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) June 19, 2024
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the National Testing Agency (NTA) for its repeated failure to conduct national examinations fairly, citing it as evidence of incompetence. She emphasized the impact on students who diligently prepare for these exams, highlighting the mental pressure they endure. Chaturvedi stressed the need for accountability from both the government and the NTA, stating that cancellation alone is not a solution.
On the other hand, BJP leader Amit Malviya defended the government’s decision to proactively cancel the NET exam. He mentioned that the decision was made after reports of compromise were received by the UGC, leading to a CBI probe. Malviya also assured protection of students’ interests and promised action in the NEET(UG) exam based on the report from the Economic Offences Unit of the Bihar Police.
What is the NEET-UG dispute about?
The NEET-UG (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate) controversy centers around the entrance exam held annually for students seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses in India’s medical institutions. This exam, like UG-NET, is overseen by the NTA.
The exam took place on 5 May, with results announced on 4 June. Subsequently, students raised concerns about a leaked question paper and the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 candidates, an unusually high number achieving perfect scores. Notably, 67 students scored 720 marks, a significant increase compared to previous years, where only a few achieved perfect scores.
Allegations surfaced that six of the top scorers had appeared for the exam at the same center in Haryana. The issue reached the Supreme Court, leading to a decision for a retest for 1,563 students who received grace marks, with the option to retain their original scores if they choose not to participate.
Amid the paper leak allegations, four individuals were arrested in Bihar, including a candidate who admitted to receiving the question paper a day before the exam.
On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a meeting with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Health Minister J P Nadda, and other officials to discuss the NEET-UG exam-related FIRs, particularly in Bihar.
The controversy has sparked a confrontation between the Opposition and the government, with the Congress calling for a nationwide protest on 21 June.