NTA to conduct UGC-NET from August 21 to September 4
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has declared that the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) will be reconducted from August 21 to September 4, 2024. The initial exam, which was held on June 18, was canceled due to allegations of paper leaks. The Ministry of Education confirmed this cancellation on June 19 after receiving inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics about a potential compromise in the examination's integrity.
Ministry ensures transparency
After the leak came to light, the education ministry emphasized the need for transparency and sanctity in the examination process, stating, "To ensure the highest level of transparency and sanctity of the examination process...a fresh examination shall be conducted." The alleged paper leak issue was referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further scrutiny. To recall, a plea challenging this decision was declined by the Supreme Court last month.
NTA releases details for UGC-NET re-examination
According to an official notice from the NTA, the re-examination will be conducted in two shifts each day, each lasting three hours. The first shift will run from 9:00am to 12:00pm and the second from 3pm to 6pm. Information regarding exam center allocation will be posted on the NTA's official website 10 days before the exam commences. Candidates are advised to regularly check the NTA's official website for updates about admit cards for UGC NET 2024 and other related information.
What is UGC-NET exam
The UGC-NET is conducted biannually and serves as a crucial gateway for awarding Junior Research Fellowships, appointments as assistant professors, and admissions to PhD programmes. The examination comprises two objective-type, multiple-choice papers with no break in between. Notably, June's exam was conducted in pen-and-paper mode. Up until this year's June exam, the NTA had been administering the UGC NET exam for assistant professorship, Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), and PhD admissions using the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
