The education ministry has cancelled the University Grants Commission –  National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) 2024, a day after it was held on June 18 based on “certain inputs” regarding the integrity of the examination being “compromised”.

As per a release by the ministry, a fresh examination shall be conducted, for which information shall be shared separately.

Simultaneously, the matter is handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation.

Speaking over this major lapse affecting lakhs of aspirants, the government stated that they are “committed to ensure the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students”.

However, the opposition has come down heavily on the government demanding accountability and action. The Congress party wrote on X, “Modi government is toying with the future of the youth. Yesterday (June 18), the UGC-NET exam was conducted in various cities of the country. Today (June 19) the exam was cancelled on suspicion of a paper leak. First NEET paper was leaked and now UGC-NET paper.”

The party dubbed the Modi government a ‘paper leak government’.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the PM on X, “Narendra Modiji, you discuss exams a lot, but when will you hold NEET pareeksha pe charcha. This is the defeat of the arrogance of the Modi government, over which they made a despicable attempt to trample the future of our youth.”

Reacting to the cancellation of UGC-NET, a group of students led a protest in Lucknow University today, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the NTA to be disbanded.

A protesting student at the varsity said, “The weak government is causing the paper leaks. Dharmendra Pradhan must resign, and the NTA must be suspended.”

Meanwhile, another added, “It is the responsibility of the Education Ministry to ensure the smooth working of the education system. But for the past 10 years, question papers have leaked. The NEET paper was leaked earlier, and then NET-JRF. This government is making a mockery of students.”

Notably, the testing authority NTA is already under scrutiny for discrepancies with the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test – for medical UG courses) results 2024, the additional cancellation of NET and the CBI probe is likely to add fuel to the fire, raising questions over the institutions capabilities and control over testing in the county. 

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Govt cancels UGC-NET 2024 exams, hands over probe to CBI