NTA Announces New Exam Dates for UGC NET, CSIR NET Amid Controversy
Amid ongoing controversy over alleged irregularities in the conduct of competitive exams, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced new dates for the rescheduled and postponed examinations. The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), which was cancelled on June 18 due to reports of a compromised exam integrity, will now take place from August 21 to September 4. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan revealed that the question paper had been leaked on the darknet and circulated on the Telegram app, prompting a CBI investigation. Unlike the earlier offline single-day format, the rescheduled UGC-NET will revert to the Computer Based Test (CBT) format spread over two weeks. This test determines eligibility for the Junior Research Fellowship, assistant professor positions, and PhD admissions.
Additionally, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) UGC-NET, which was postponed as a precautionary measure, is now scheduled for July 25 to July 27. This exam is crucial for PhD admissions in various scientific disciplines. The National Common Entrance Test (NCET) for the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), postponed on June 12, will now be held on July 10. This test is for select universities and institutions including IITs, NITs, RIEs, and government colleges. In light of these irregularities, including issues with the NEET-UG and PhD entrance NET, the Centre has established a panel to ensure the transparent, smooth, and fair conduct of future examinations through the NTA.
