UGC NET 2020: Bengal Minister Urges NTA To Reschedule Exams After Dates Clash With Durga Puja

Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee has urged the NTA to change the exam schedule after some dates were found to coincide with Durga Puja.

(Representative Image/ PTI)

New Delhi: UGC NET 2020: The  National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday released the subject-wise and shift-wise schedule for the upcoming UGC NET exam. But it seems the date is clashing with Durga Puja celebrations and West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee has requested the National Testing Agency (NTA) to change the schedule of the exams. According to the datasheet the exams will be held in phases from September 24 to November 5. Exams for the subjects Geography, Education and Bengali are scheduled from October 21 to 23. This coincides with the five-day Durga Puja that will begin on October 22 with Mahasasthi. In a report by PTI, Chatterjee said the decision to conduct the exams amid the festivities was ill-conceived, having little consideration for the sentiments of thousands of candidates. "Durga puja is the biggest festival in Bengal. It is a national festival. How can they fix the date on the day of puja? We voice our objection. We will write to the NTA to change the schedule that clash with the Puja," said  Chatterjee in the report. He also added that it was ironic that those who are always enthusiastic about pujas are indifferent towards the biggest social and religious festival of Bengal. UGC NET 2020 exams will be conducted by NTA in 81 subjects at different Exam Centers across India to determine the eligibility for the post of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or Assistant Professor only in various Indian Universities/ Colleges/ Institutions recognized by UGC. The UGC has also released the admit cards for the exams along with a Covid declaration form.