UGC NET 2024 Cancelled: NTA cancels National Eligibility Test, says exam integrity compromised

In a shift from earlier practice, the National Eligibility Test (NET) was conducted in pen and paper mode this time on a single day -June 18- with a record 11 lakh students registering for the exam.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Wednesday cancelled the UGC-NET exam just one day after it took place, saying that the "integrity of the examination has been compromised." It has also ordered a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into the matter.

The action comes close on the heels of the massive controversy surrounding the medical entrance exam NEET due to alleged irregularities, with the matter even reaching the Supreme Court.

The UGC-NET was held on Tuesday, June 18, across 1205 centers in 317 cities nationwide, with participation from over 11 lakh candidates.

In a departure from earlier practice, the NET exam was conducted in pen and paper mode this time on a single day.

The NTA mentioned that the University Grants Commission (UGC) received information suggesting that the exam's integrity might have been compromised.

On June 19, 2024, the University Grants Commission got warnings from cybersecurity experts over widespread cheating during the exam.

The ministry of education said it has decided to cancel the UGC-NET June 2024 Exam to ensure the "highest level of transparency and sanctity of the examination process".

The ministry said that it will now conduct fresh examination and further information about it will be shared soon.

"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," the NTA said in a statement.

In the UGC-NET June 2024 examination, a total of 11,21,225 candidates registered, including 6,35,587 females, 4,85,579 males, and 59 candidates of the third gender. This shows an increase compared to the UGC-NET December 2023, which had 9,45,872 registered candidates.