UGC-NET June Exam Cancelled, Tests To Be Conducted Afresh, CBI Probe Initiated: Education Ministry

UGC-NET Exam Cancelled: The UGC-NET June 2024 exam has been cancelled due to concerns about exam integrity. A fresh exam will be scheduled, and the CBI will probe the matter, the Ministry of Education stated.

File Photo of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Source : PTI

UGC-NET Exam Cancelled: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the cancellation of the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination amid serious concerns over the integrity of the examination process. The decision, backed by the Ministry of Education, comes after the University Grants Commission (UGC) received alarming inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

In an official statement, the Ministry of Education disclosed, "The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination in OMR (pen and paper) mode on 18th June, 2024, in two shifts across different cities of the country. On 19th June, 2024, the UGC received certain inputs from the I4C under the Ministry of Home Affairs. These inputs prima facie indicate that the integrity of the aforesaid examination may have been compromised."

To uphold transparency and the sanctity of the examination process, the Ministry has decided to cancel the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination. A fresh examination will be scheduled, with details to be announced separately. The matter has also been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation.

"To ensure the highest level of transparency and sanctity of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, Government of India has decided that the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination be cancelled. 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 (C.B.I.) for thorough investigation in the matter," the statement informed.

Government is committed to ensure the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students.

Ministry of Education has decided that the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination be cancelled on the basis of inputs from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry…

— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) June 19, 2024

UGC-NET is a standardised test to assess the eligibility of candidates for the position of assistant professor in universities and colleges along with the awarding of a Junior Research Fellowship, or both.

NEET (UG) 2024 Exam Row: Education Ministry Seeks Report From Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit

The NEET (UG) 2024 Examination recently came under scrutiny following allegations of irregularities. Regarding this, the ministry stated that the issue related to grace marks has already been fully addressed.

"As regards certain irregularities alleged in the conduct of the examination in Patna, a detailed report has been sought from the Economic Offences Unit, Bihar Police. Government will take further action, on receipt of this report," it mentioned.

"Government is committed to ensure the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students. It is reiterated that any individual/organization found to be involved in this matter will face strictest action," the Education ministry emphasised.

.Earlier, addressing these concerns, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had assured strict action against any misconduct.

"If any officials, including senior functionaries of NTA, are found guilty, they will not be spared, and strong action will be taken against them," Pradhan stated during his visit to Sambalpur in Odisha on Sunday, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Minister Pradhan highlighted two types of irregularities identified in the NEET (UG) 2024 Examination. Preliminary findings revealed that some students were awarded grace marks due to dissatisfaction with the allotted exam time. This issue has been addressed, and a re-examination for 1,563 students has been ordered following a Supreme Court directive.

Further allegations of irregularities at two locations are being investigated, with a detailed report sought from the Economic Offences Unit, Bihar Police. "The government will take further action upon receipt of this report. We are committed to ensuring the sanctity of examinations and protecting the interests of students," Pradhan emphasised, as per PTI.

Reforms in the functioning of the NTA were also advocated by the Union Education Minister. "A lot of reforms are required in NTA's functioning, though it is an autonomous institution. The government is concerned about this. I want to reassure that no culprit will be spared; strict action will be taken against them," Pradhan added.

The NEET-UG examination, essential for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India, was conducted on May 5 at 4,750 centres across 571 cities. The results, declared on June 4, were quickly followed by concerns from parents and teachers regarding the grace marks awarded to 1,563 students.