Jul 132 min read

UGC-NET Exam Cancellation 2024: Impact, Structure, and Future Implications

Introduction

The University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) was abruptly canceled by the Ministry of Education late on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, a day after it was held. This decision has impacted over 9 lakh candidates and sparked protests from student organizations.
The cancellation followed inputs from the National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit indicating that the integrity of the examination might have been compromised.

Conducted Twice a Year: The UGC-NET is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) twice a year, in June and December. Before December 2018, the exam was conducted by the CBSE.
Determining Eligibility: The UGC-NET serves three primary purposes:

Eligibility for Assistant Professor: Since 1989, it has determined eligibility for the post of assistant professor in universities.
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Since 1984, it has been the primary criterion for granting the JRF, which provides monetary assistance for MPhil/PhD degrees.
PhD Admissions: From the current academic session, UGC-NET scores are used for PhD admissions, replacing universities’ own entrance exams.

Two Papers: The exam comprises two papers with multiple-choice questions and no negative marking.
Paper I (100 marks): General paper assessing teaching and research aptitude.
Paper II (200 marks): Subject-specific, usually in the candidate’s post-graduation subject, covering 83 subjects including languages, history, law, and political science.

Eligibility Criteria:
General Category: Minimum 55% in Master’s degree.
SC/ST/OBC/Persons with Disabilities: Minimum 50% in Master’s degree.
Undergraduates: Candidates with a four-year degree and 75% marks are also eligible.
Age Limit: No age limit for assistant professor and PhD admissions. For JRF, the age limit is 30 years as of June 1.

Computer-Based and Pen-and-Paper Formats: Previously conducted as a computer-based test over multiple days, the format changed this year to a pen-and-paper test held on a single day.
Centers and Shifts: The June 2024 exam was held in 1,205 centers across 317 cities, in two shifts.

Protests and Retests: The cancellation has affected 9,08,580 candidates, nearly twice the number from June last year. Candidates now have to retake the exam, echoing the NEET-UG controversy involving paper leaks and re-tests for 1,563 candidates.
Qualification Rates: In June last year, 32,304 candidates qualified for assistant professor posts, while 4,937 qualified for the JRF. The number of qualifiers is typically a small fraction of the total candidates.

Cut-Off Marks: Declared subject- and category-wise, the cut-off marks determine eligibility. The NTA bulletin specifies that 6% of candidates who appeared for both papers qualify for the assistant professor post.
Protests and Student Outrage: The cancellation has led to significant student unrest and calls for transparency and security in the examination process.

This article is vital for UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF, Assistant Commandant, and other competitive exams such as NDA, CDS, SSB Interview, AFCAT, IAS, and IB ACIO
Understanding the structure, purpose, and recent developments of the UGC-NET exam is crucial for current affairs preparation.
The information aligns with the UPSC CAPF AC syllabus 2024, providing valuable content for essay writing, Group Discussions, and Interviews.
Knowledge of such issues enhances analytical skills and aids in crafting well-rounded responses, making it indispensable for success in these exams.