The University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) exam was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 18…reports Asian Lite News
The Ministry of Education on Wednesday cancelled the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 18 in two shifts across different cities of the country, according to an official press release issued by Ministery of Education
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.
On June 19, 2024, the University Grants Commission (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.
Simultaneously, the matter is being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (C.B.I.) for thorough investigation in the matter.
The UGC-NET exam was conducted on Tuesday. The exam was attended by 81 per cent of over 11.21 lakh registered candidates for the exam in 317 cities across the country, said UGC chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar.
UGC-NET is a test to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for ‘Assistant Professor’ as well as ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor’ in Indian universities and colleges. The UGC-NET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
“Today, NTA has successfully conducted UGC – NET June 2024…The examination has been conducted at 1205 Exam Centres in 317 cities across the country for 11,21,225 candidates. Out of the total registered candidates, ~ 81 % candidates appeared for the exam. Best wishes to all the candidates,” the UGC chairman tweeted.
In a press release, regarding NEET-UG Examination, the Ministry of Education said, “The issue related to grace marks has already been fully addressed. The government will take action on the reports of alleged irregularities in the conduct of the examination in Patna. A detailed report has been sought from the Economic Offences Unit of Bihar Police in this regard.
The Government further said it is committed to ensuring the sanctity of examinations and protecting the interest of students. It is reiterated that any individual/organization found to be involved in this matter will face the strictest action. (ANI)
Congress says Centre trying to hide its ‘negligence’
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi alleged on Wednesday that the Union government is trying to hide its “negligence” in the conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024 and that the party will strive to protect the future of students.
“The Central government is trying to hide its negligence. The Supreme Court has also taken cognizance of it (the exam issue). People of the country have taken cognizance of it and Congress party and the INDIA alliance will not allow the future of 24 lakh children to be ruined,” Gogoi, MP, told ANI.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday told the Centre and National Testing Agency (NTA) that if there is any negligence in conducting the NEET-UG, 2024 exam, it should be thoroughly dealt with.
“If there is 0.001 per cent negligence on the part of anyone, it should be thoroughly dealt with. All these matters ought not to be treated as adversarial litigation,” observed a vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti.
The bench told counsels appearing for Centre and NTA that children have prepared for the exams and “we cannot forget their labour” for preparing for these exams.
It told the counsel of NTA that as an agency which is conducting the examination, it must “act fair”.
“If there is a mistake, say yes, this is a mistake, and this is the action we are going to take. At least that inspires confidence in your performance,” the top court told NTA while adding that it expects timely action from them.
Aspirants have raised the issue of leakage of the question paper, awarding compensatory marks and anomalies in the question of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Under Graduate (NEET-UG) 2024.
The apex court, while hearing fresh petitions relating to alleged paper leaks and malpractices in the NEET-UG, 2024 exam on May 5 this year, issued notices and sought a response from NTA within two weeks.
It has tagged these pleas, along with several petitions pending before it and posted them for hearing on July 8.
Several petitions were filed in the apex court seeking direction to recall NEET-UG 2024 results and to conduct the examination afresh, alleging paper leakage and malpractices in the test held on May 5.
Last week, the NTA told the Supreme Court that the scorecards of 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates who got “grace marks” to compensate for the loss of time suffered while appearing for the exam will be cancelled and the students will have a chance to reappear for the exam.
“Exam will be conducted on June 23 and result will be declared before June 30,” NTA had told the apex court.
The apex court had already refused to stay the counselling of NEET-UG, 2024.
The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the NTA pave the way for admissions into MBBS, BDS and AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country. (ANI)
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