UGC-NET 2024 Paper Leaked: See What Union Education Minister Said

Every year, lakhs of students appear for the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) exam. On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, multiple students from all across the country appeared for the exam. Unfortunately, on June 19, 2024, at 10:18 PM, the Ministry of Education announced the cancellation of the UGC-NET 2024 exams. Here’s what we know about the reason behind the cancellation of UGC-NET exams and the new exam date.

UGC-NET Exam 2024 Cancelled

More than 9 lakh students took the UGC-NET exam on June 18, 2024, to find out if they qualify for junior research fellowships and assistant professor positions in universities and colleges. Just a day after the exam was held, the Ministry of Education announced the cancellation of the exams by releasing a press release and a statement on X that read, “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 of Home Affairs, prima-facie indicating that the integrity of the examination may have been compromised. Fresh Examination shall be conducted, for which information shall be shared separately. Matter being handed over to CBI for thorough investigation in the matter.”

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

UPDATE:It has been reported that a screenshot of some part of the UGC NET 2024 exam question paper was circulated on encrypted chat platforms like Telegram on June 17, a day before the exam. (SOURCE: The Print, PTI)

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Why Was The UGC-NET Exam 2024 Cancelled?

As per the press release published by the Ministry of Education, the UGC-NET exams were cancelled because, “On 19th June, 2024, the University Grants Commission (UGC) received certain inputs from National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of 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."

The press release further read, "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.”

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UGC-NET Exam 2024 New Date

The new date of the UGC-NET exam has yet to be announced. A statement published by the official X account of the Ministry of Education reads, “Fresh Examination shall be conducted, for which information shall be shared separately.”

Education Ministry’s Response To NEET UG 2024 Exam

On June 18, 2024, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the UGC NET exams in two shifts across various cities using the OMR (pen and paper) format. The NTA has also faced severe backlash due to issues with the NEET UG 2024 exam, affecting nearly 24 lakh students who appeared for the undergraduate medical course exam on May 5. The results, announced on June 4, were released 10 days ahead of schedule, but allegations of a question paper leak and the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 students triggered widespread protests. Legal cases have been filed, including in the Supreme Court, which has criticised the NTA for its handling of the situation. (SOURCE: NDTV)

The Ministry of Education also published a response to the controversy regarding NEET UG 2024 exams which read, “In the matter pertaining to the NEET(UG) Examination-2024, 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. 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.”

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While it is understandable that the Ministry of Education aimed to maintain the "sanctity of the exams," recent events raise serious questions about the NTA's capability to conduct these crucial examinations that impact millions of young students across the country.

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Image Credits: Freepik & X/EduMinOfIndia