Summary
As per information from the Press Trust of India (PTI), the Ministry of Education has announced the cancellation of the University Grants Commission (UGC) National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 18, following concerns that the integrity of the exam was compromised.
The case has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation, officials reported.
The Ministry of Education has announced the cancellation of the University Grants Commission (UGC) National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 18, following concerns that the integrity of the exam was compromised. The case has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation, according to a PTI report.
This decision comes in the wake of the ongoing controversy surrounding the medical entrance exam National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which is currently under scrutiny by the Supreme Court for alleged irregularities.
The NET exam, typically held in multiple shifts, was conducted in a single pen-and-paper mode session this time, with a record registration of 11 lakh students.
"A fresh examination shall be conducted, for which information shall be shared separately. Simultaneously, the matter is being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for thorough investigation in the matter," the Ministry of Education (MoE) added.
UGC-NET determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for junior research fellowships, assistant professor positions, and PhD admissions in Indian universities and colleges. According to the ministry of education, "The UGC received certain inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs on the Examination. These inputs prima facie indicate that the integrity of the aforesaid examination may have been compromised.”
To maintain transparency and sanctity in the examination process, the Ministry has decided to cancel the UGC-NET June 2024 examination. The Ministry of Education added, "the matter is being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for thorough investigation in the matter,” as per a PTI report.
Amid the row over NEET, the Ministry has also sought a report from Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit regarding alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET 2024 in Patna, promising further action based on the report.
"The government is committed to ensuring the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students. It is reiterated that any individual or organisation found involved in this matter will face the strictest action," the Ministry official added.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), which oversees exams for various entrance tests, including UGC NET, is under scrutiny for recent alleged irregularities in the NEET 2024.
Despite a previous press release from the NTA claiming the successful conduct of the UGC NET June 2024 examination, the Education Ministry refrained from detailing the cyber crime unit’s findings or specifying how the examination was compromised.
Last updated on 20 Jun 2024
