The ministry of education on Wednesday night ordered cancellation of UGC-NET following inputs of exam’s integrity being compromised.
Around 11 lakh students will have to retake the UGC-NET examination after the Union education ministry cancelled it following concerns about its integrity. The exam’s new dates will be announced soon.
What is UGC-NET?
The UGC-NET or University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test, determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for roles as assistant professors or for junior research fellowships and assistant professors in universities and colleges across India.
he awarding of JRF and/or eligibility for assistant professorship is contingent on a candidate’s combined performance in paper-I and paper-II of the UGC-NET.
Candidates who qualify only for assistant professorship must adhere to the recruitment regulations of the respective universities, colleges, or state governments.
What is NTA?
The National Testing Agency (NTA), established in November 2017 under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860, is an autonomous body tasked with conducting various entrance examinations for admissions to higher educational institutions. NTA conducts exams such as NEET, JEE, CTET, GATE, GPAT, GMAT, CAT, and UGC-NET.
The agency is chaired by an eminent educationist appointed by the human resource development ministry, currently chaired by Pradeep Kumar Joshi, a former chairman of UPSC
How UGC-NET is conducted?
NTA is authorised to take UGC-NET test. It is held twice a year (June & December).
Since December 2018, the UGC-NET has been conducted by NTA in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. However, this time, in a departure from previous practice, the National Eligibility Test (NET) was conducted in pen-and-paper mode on a single day — June 18 — with a record 11 lakh students registering for the exam.
How is UGC-NET Conducted?
The UGC-NET exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and follows a structured process:
- Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have a Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant subject with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for reserved categories).
- Application Process: Candidates apply online through the NTA’s official website, where they fill out personal and academic details, upload necessary documents, and pay the application fee.
- Admit Card: Once applications are processed, admit cards are issued online, which candidates must download and carry to the exam center.
- Exam Structure:
- The exam consists of two papers: Paper I and Paper II.
- Paper I: This is a general paper on teaching and research aptitude, consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), each worth 2 marks.
- Paper II: This paper is subject-specific, with 100 MCQs based on the subject chosen by the candidate, each worth 2 marks.
- Both papers are conducted in a single session of three hours without any break.
- Mode of Examination: The exam is conducted online as a computer-based test (CBT).
- Syllabus: The syllabus for Paper II varies according to the subject chosen by the candidate and is detailed by the UGC.
- Evaluation and Results: The NTA evaluates the responses and releases the results on its official website. The results determine the eligibility for Assistant Professor and the award of JRF based on cut-off marks.
- Cut-off and Merit List: Cut-off marks are determined based on several factors, including the number of candidates, difficulty level of the exam, and reservation policies. Separate merit lists are prepared for JRF and Assistant Professor.
