UGC NET June 2024 exam cancelled, Education Ministry says integrity of exam might have been compromised

UGC NET June 2024 Cancelled: The Ministry of Education on Wednesday cancelled the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test or UGC NET 2024, after intelligence reports suggested irregularities in the conduct of the examination. The test for Junior Research Fellowship, appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to PhD degree courses will be held again, it added. UGC NET June 2024 cancelled live updates

The ministry said that the matter is being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation.

According to the data shared by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the exam, 9,08,580 candidates appeared for the test on Tuesday (June 18).

In a press release, the Education Ministry said that a day after the exam was held, the UGC received inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) that the integrity of the exam might have been compromised.

“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 ministry said.

The announcement came at a significant time when another exam conducted by the same agency has been surrounded by controversies.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET 2024) for undergraduate medical admissions has been a subject of heated debates since its results were announced earlier this month.

There were many alleged irregularities in the conduct of the test, such as grace marks awarded to certain candidates and paper leaks.

“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,” the ministry said.

Amid the growing protests against the NEET UG exam, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said that a lot of improvement is required in the National Testing Agency (NTA) while reiterating that no culprit will be spared.

Also read: NEET-UG row: Pradhan says ‘lot of improvement needed in NTA’ after oppn attack

In today's statement, his ministry reiterated that any individual or organization found to be involved in the matter of the alleged irregularities will face the strictest action.