Cancellation of UGC-NET exam sparks outrage, uncertainty among candidates

The abrupt cancellation of the June 2024 session of the UGC-NET examination conducted on June 18 by the Ministry of Education has sparked widespread outrage and disappointment among the 11.2 lakh candidates who appeared for the exam across over 300 cities. The move, prompted by a report by the ministry’s National Cyber ​​Threat Analysis Unit indicating potential compromises in the integrity of the exam, led the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to step in for a thorough probe.

Immediate impact on candidates

The sudden cancellation has disrupted the lives of over 11 lakh students, many of whom had invested a lot of time, energy and resources to prepare for the exam. For candidates like Arun Kumar Yadav, 24, who has completed his master’s degree in psychology and is currently working as a psychologist, the cancellation came as a devastating blow. “I felt a mixture of shock, disbelief and frustration when I first heard about the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam,” says Arun. “After devoting months to preparation while simultaneously managing work, the news was devastating. I felt like all my efforts were in vain.”

Arun’s logistical challenges added to his frustration. “I had to spend a lot of time and money travelling to the exam centre, which was in a remote area, far from the metro station. The financial burden was considerable and taking time off from my job added to the wastage of resources. The cancellation had a significant financial and emotional impact on me,” he says.

For Kavya Mukhija, a 25-year-old woman from New Delhi with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, the cancellation was particularly disheartening. “It is sad to see that even when laws are in place, our system takes people with disabilities for granted,” says Kavya. Despite facing many physical challenges to reach the exam centre and complete the exam, she now has to sit for the exam again. “What else could happen during such a crucial exam? I endured all the physical challenges to take the exam, only to have it cancelled.”

For Shyam Kumar, a 25-year-old national level badminton player currently pursuing his masters in sports biomechanics from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut, the cancellation came as a shock as he mentioned that his exams went well: “I was preparing for the last four months. I studied all night for the mains exam. I couldn’t even sleep at night.”

Public reaction and outcry on social media

The cancellation sparked a wave of online criticism, with many candidates and their families expressing their dismay on social media. The incident was described as a “saga of student suffering,” highlighting the recurring problems faced by students during national exams. Candidates took to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to express their frustration and demand accountability from the authorities.

“The recurring problems with national exams are unacceptable. Students are suffering because of systemic failures,” one tweeted. Another commented: “The psychological and financial cost to students is immense. Authorities must ensure that such incidents do not happen again.”

Ministry response and investigation

The decision by the education ministry to call in the CBI underscores the gravity of the breach of integrity. “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 will be cancelled,” the ministry’s statement said. “A fresh examination will be conducted, for which information will be shared separately. Simultaneously, the matter is being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation into the matter.”

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan added, “The exam paper was leaked on the darknet and circulated on Telegram, which led to the cancellation of the exam. We are committed to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process.”

Outlook and next steps

For the affected candidates, the focus is on preparing for the rescheduled exam. The Ministry of Education has announced that the UGC-NET exam will be conducted again between August 21 and September 4. Arun remains determined despite the setback. “Given the cancellation, I plan to retake the exam as soon as it is rescheduled. I plan to use this time to continue my preparation and stay focused on my career goals,” he says.

Kavya, too, is ready to persevere. “Despite the challenges, I am determined to overcome systemic inadequacies and pursue my dream of becoming an academic. I hope my experience will draw attention to the need for better facilities and support for students with disabilities,” she says.

In a broader context, the incident has prompted calls for systemic reforms to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. The Centre has seized a panel to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the NTA. Education experts stress the importance of maintaining the integrity of examinations at the national level to safeguard the aspirations and future of millions of students.