NTA postpones CSIR-UGC-NET exam slated to be held between 25 and 27 June

Amid the ongoing NEET controversy, India's National Testing Agency (NTA) announced its decision to postpone the Joint CSIR-UGC-NET Examination June 2024 which was slated to take place between June 25 and June 27.

The NTA released a statement saying that the exam was being postponed due to 'unavoidable circumstances and logistic issues.'

It further said that the new schedule will be shared later on the official website.

The press release by NTA further added, "This is in continuation to the Public Notice dated 15.06.2024 vide which Advance Intimation of Examination City allotted to the applicants of the Joint CSIR-UGC-NET Examination June-2024 along with the schedule of examination was informed to all the candidates."

It also advised the students to keep checking the website https://csimnet.nta.ac.in for the latest updates related to the exam and said that in case of any queries or /clarifications, the candidates can call the NTA Help Desk at 011- 40759000 or 011-69227700.

This comes after the NTA had cancelled the UGC-NET exam on Wednesday, (June 19) the day after it was conducted, "to ensure the highest level of transparency and sanctity" of the examination process.

This also comes amid the NEET paper leak row where dozens of students alleged irregularities and discrepancies in the medical entrance examination.

'Strict action to be taken against any NTA official if found guilty,' says education minister

The Indian government on Thursday (June 20) said it will form a high-level committee to review the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

“We are committed to holding zero-error exams, and a high-level committee is being formed to improve NTA functioning,” Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said at a press briefing.

"Recommendations will be expected from that high-level committee to further improve NTA, its structure, functioning, examination process, transparency and data security protocol. Strict action will be taken against any official of NTA if found guilty,” he said.

He then ensured that the government would not compromise with transparency and would safeguard students’ rights.

“We have received inputs from the Bihar government about the NEET examination. Patna Police is investigating the matter and they will soon send a detailed report to the Government of India. Preliminary information indicates that errors were limited to a specific region,” Pradhan added.

(With inputs from agencies)