The UGC NET 2024 was cancelled after the Education Ministry got input from the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) on Wednesday. No complaints were received about the examination but the Education Ministry took suo motu action and cancelled it to uphold the best interest of the candidates, Ministry of Education Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal clarified in New Delhi on Thursday.
The next date of examination will be conveyed soon, he said, adding that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been entrusted to look into the matter.
FULL REPORT | UGC-NET 2024 cancelled: Govt says ‘integrity of exam compromised’
"The UGC-NET exam that was conducted by the NTA on June 18 was attended by 9,00,000 students. On June 19, UGC got input from the Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C).
"Recognizing that input prima facie, it appeared to the Education Ministry that there was a chance that the examination had been compromised. Taking prompt action to ensure student interest, the Ministry has decided to cancel the examination. The next date of examination will be conveyed quickly. The matter has been referred to the CBI so that if anybody is involved, action can be taken against them," Joint Secretary Jaiswal told media.
Established by MHA in the national capital, the I4C provides a framework and eco-system for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) for dealing with Cybercrime in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.
The ministry on Wednesday cancelled UGC-NET conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) following inputs that the integrity of the examination may have been compromised.
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The decision by the Ministry comes amid a massive row on the medical entrance exam NEET over alleged irregularities, with the issue now before the Supreme Court.