Staff Reporter, Guwahati, June 20: In an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Education has announced the cancellation of the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) 2024, citing potential compromises in the examination’s integrity. The decision impacted over 9 lakh candidates who took the exam, which was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 18. During a briefing on Thursday, Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Education, stated, “The Ministry has observed significant indications of a possible compromise in the UGC-NET examination. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, we have decided to cancel the exam.” He further revealed that the matter has been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation. The cancellation follows intelligence inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit, which raised concerns about the exam’s integrity shortly after its conclusion. The Ministry prioritized transparency and the sanctity of the examination process, leading to the decision to cancel the test and reschedule it at a later date. This move marks a critical juncture amidst ongoing controversies surrounding other examinations conducted by the NTA, particularly the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) for undergraduate medical admissions. The NEET-UG results have faced allegations of irregularities, including the awarding of grace marks and alleged paper leaks. In response to the NEET-UG issues, the Ministry of Education has initiated measures to address concerns, including seeking detailed reports from authorities regarding alleged irregularities in specific regions. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, amidst mounting criticism and protests related to NTA-administered exams, assured the public of necessary reforms within the agency. “There is a need for substantial improvements in the National Testing Agency,” he acknowledged, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring fairness and accountability in competitive examinations. The cancellation of UGC-NET 2024 underscores the Ministry’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of India’s competitive examination system and addressing any vulnerabilities that may undermine public trust.
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