The day after announcing the cancellation of the UGC-NET 2024 examination, the Centre reassured students that their best interests would be prioritized regarding the National Eligibility Test. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also announced that a CBI investigation had been initiated following reports of the exam being compromised.
Speaking on the cancellation, Dharmendra Pradhan told ANI, “I want to assure the students, this is your government. Have faith; the interests of students are paramount to us. Yesterday evening, IC4 informed us that there was a possibility the UGC-NET exam was compromised. After our own research confirmed this, we decided to cancel the exam and initiate a CBI inquiry.”
During a Thursday press conference, the education minister addressed the cancellation, stating, “We take responsibility and must rectify the system.” He assured students that the government would not tolerate any irregularities or malpractice.
Pradhan revealed that the UGC-NET examination was canceled because the paper had been leaked on the Darknet. The National Testing Agency had previously stated the cancellation was due to the “integrity of the examination being compromised.”
The education minister also announced that the Centre would form a high-level committee to review the functioning of the NTA amid the cancellation of the UGC-NET and ongoing issues with the NEET-UG medical entrance exam.
“The government will form a high-level committee to recommend improvements for the NTA, focusing on its structure, functioning, examination processes, transparency, and data security protocols. Our commitment is to zero-error testing,” Pradhan said at the press conference.
Regarding the NEET issue, Pradhan stated, “We are in contact with the Bihar government concerning the NEET exam. We are receiving information from Patna, and the police are investigating. A detailed report will be submitted, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty.”
Following reports of the ‘paper leak’ from Patna, the minister reiterated, “We are in contact with the Bihar government and receiving information from Patna. Police are investigating, and a detailed report will be provided. Credible information will lead to strict action against the guilty.”
Protests erupted nationwide after the UGC-NET 2024 examination was canceled by the Education Ministry on Wednesday. Approximately 50 students from various universities were detained following nationwide protests by student organizations such as SFI, AISA, and NSUI against the Education Ministry.
