20 Jun. 24: In a startling turn of events, the Ministry of Education has cancelled the UGC-NET examination held on June 18, 2024, amidst allegations of compromised integrity. This decision, announced late Wednesday evening, has sparked widespread criticism from opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who have vehemently criticized the Narendra Modi-led government for what they perceive as repeated failures in conducting fair examinations.
The cancellation follows reports from the University Grants Commission (UGC) pointing to potential irregularities in the examination process, echoing recent controversies surrounding the NEET exam. The UGC-NET, typically conducted digitally, was shifted to a pen-and-paper format for the first time this year and witnessed a record registration of 11 lakh candidates across 1205 centers in 317 cities nationwide.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has swiftly responded to the concerns by initiating a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to investigate the alleged breaches thoroughly. This move underscores NTA’s commitment to upholding the credibility and fairness of its examination procedures amid mounting scrutiny.
Mallikarjun Kharge, in a sharp rebuke, questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance on the issue, demanding accountability and asking when Modi will hold a discussion akin to ‘NEET pareeksha pe charcha’. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed these sentiments, condemning what she described as corruption and negligence affecting the youth’s future prospects.
The Ministry of Education has also sought a comprehensive report from the Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit regarding alleged irregularities during the exam in Patna, further intensifying the scrutiny on the matter. Political figures such as Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party have expressed concerns over systemic failures under the current administration, while Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi labeled the situation an “education emergency,” calling for stringent accountability measures from the government and NTA.
As the controversy unfolds, stakeholders await further developments regarding the rescheduling of the UGC-NET examination and the implementation of preventive measures to safeguard against future compromises.
