CBI probe into UGC-NET 2024 has been ordered, says Education Ministry a day after cancelling exam

Speaking to the media, Ministry of Education Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal said, "About 9 lakh students had participated in the UGC-NET which was held on June 18. On June 19, the UGC had received some inputs...

"The ministry felt there were chances of the examination being compromised. The ministry has decided to cancel the examination for students' interest. The next date of examination will be announced soon."

"The matter has been referred to CBI as well so that action can be taken against anyone who is involved," he added.

Over 9 lakh candidates appeared for the exam, which is held for Assistant Professor recruitments in universities and colleges as well as to determine eligibility for junior research fellowships.

In a statement, the Education Ministry said the June exam of the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) was conducted on Tuesday in OMR (pen and paper) mode in two shifts across the country.

"On 19th June, 2024, the University Grants Commission (UGC) received certain inputs from National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs on the Examination. These inputs prima facie indicate that the integrity of the aforesaid examination may have been compromised," it said.

The ministry said it was announcing the cancellation of the June 2024 examination "to ensure the highest level of transparency and sanctity of the examination process" and that it will be held afresh at a date announced later.

There have been reports of the paper of the examination being leaked, but this was not confirmed by the ministry. It said only that the matter had been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation for investigation.

The UGC-NET is conducted twice every year, in June and December.