'Integrity May Have Been Compromised': Centre Cancels UGC-NET Exam 2024, Orders CBI Probe

The Ministry of Education on Wednesday announced cancellation of the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination following reports indicating that the integrity of the examination may have been compromised. The matter is being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for thorough investigation in the matter.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination in OMR (pen and paper) mode on June 18, 2024, in two shifts across different cities of the country.

The exam has been cancelled on the basis of inputs from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, prima facie indicating that the integrity of the examination may have been compromised.

What Is the UGC-NET & Why Exam Was Cancelled? What Has Govt Said? All You Need To Know

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 (CBI) for thorough investigation in the matter, a press release by the Ministry of Education said.

The NET exam was cancelled amid allegations of question paper leaks in states like Bihar and other irregularities in the prestigious NEET examination. The allegations have led to protests in several cities and the filing of petitions in several high courts as well as the Supreme Court.

Oppn Vs Govt Over UG-NET Exam

The opposition stepped up attacks on the government after the UGC-NET exam was cancelled.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the exam cancellation is the defeat of the “arrogance” of the Modi government due to which they made a “despicable attempt to trample the future of our youth”.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that “corruption” of the BJP government is fatal for the youth and asked if the education minister will take accountability.

“The laxity and corruption of the BJP government is fatal for the youth. After the news of scam in NEET exam, now the NET exam to be held on 18th June has also been cancelled due to the fear of irregularities. Will accountability be fixed now? Will the education minister take responsibility for this lax system?” she wrote in a post on X.

Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram demanded that the NEET exam, which is already in controversy, should be cancelled as well.

“Cancel #NEET too! The examination is devoid of integrity,” he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the repeated and absolute failure to conduct national examinations fairly exposes the NTA’s incompetence.

“The repeated and absolute failure to conduct national examinations fairly exposes the NTA’s incompetence. This is an education emergency and also lets down lakhs of students who diligently prepare for these entrance exams. , not to forget the mental pressure they go through. Cancelling is not the solution, accountability from government and NTA is. This absolute disregard to young students and their careers is unfortunate,” she said.

BJP leader Amit Malviya said that the government proactively cancelled the NET exam and assured to protect interest of students.

“GoI proactively cancels NET exams, held on 18th Jun, after UGC receives reports that the exams were compromised. CBI probe ordered. Also assures to protect interest of students and promises action in NEET(UG) exam on receipt of report from the Economic Offences Unit of the Bihar Police,” Malviya said in a post on X.

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