New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) once acclaimed as a reliable and efficient institution for conducting top-level exams in the country, and also some of the state-level tests, has faced a year marred by controversy, mismanagement and chaos. From the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) to University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) UGC NET, the agency has come under fire for a large number of lapses that have corroded public trust.
The NEET crisis came into more limelight with evidence of paper leaks in UGC-NET, leading to the cancellation of the exam and the postponement of CSIR-UGC-NET. Amid these issues, Subodh Kumar Singh was replaced as NTA chief, and a panel was formed for urgent reforms. Here’s a detailed look at the controversies that afflict the agency in 2024:
1. NEET controversy
In June 2024, the NTA faced scrutiny over NEET-UG irregularities, be it time-loss grievances and paper leak allegations. Moreover, nationwide protests sparked as grace marks were granted through normalization leading to 67 All-India Rank 1 holders. Legal challenges erupted as courts demanded responses from the agency. The apex court allowed a re-test for 1,563 affected students, where only 813 appeared for the exam. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier denied the allegation of corruption but acknowledged the discrepancies later.
2. UGC NET paper leak and re-exam
This year, UGC-NET faced significant setbacks due to the paper leak incident. The exam which was earlier conducted as a pen and paper-based test on June 18, 2024, diverged from the expected online exam format leading to widespread confusion and anxiety among students. Due to ‘prima facie inputs’ of compromise the education ministry on June 19 cancelled the exam that was already conducted a day before. Additionally, evidence of paper leaks started circular through various mediums. On June 20, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the UGC NET question paper was leaked on Darknet which has led to the cancellation of the exam.
3. CSIR-UGC NET postponed by NTA
On June 21, NTA announced the postponement of the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) exam which was scheduled to be held on June 25 to June 27. In a press release, the agency declared that the exam had been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances and logistical issues.
As per reports, a senior NTA official stated that amid a series of controversies that were going around NTA, it was impossible to hold another exam right away, so it was decided to postpone the exam.
Way ahead- Edu min decides NTA to conduct only entrance exams
Looking ahead to 2025, there’s a sense of hope for NTA. After a tumultuous year marred by controversies the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced significant reforms.
On December 17, in a press conference, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan declared that from 2025 NTA will conduct only entrance exams and not the recruitment exams. Speaking on exam reforms, also stated that NTA will be restructured in 2025 and ten additional posts will be created.
Moreover, Pradhan also said that there are discussions underway with the Health Ministry on whether to hold the NEET UG 2025 online or offline.
These reforms indicate a positive shift towards a more transparent and secure exam process. As the NTA works to redeem itself, aspirants can look forward to a better experience in 2025.
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