AISA demands judicial probe into UGC NET paper leak 2024, 'inefficiency' of NTA

NEW DELHI: The All India Students' Association (AISA) has issued a statement in response to the recent UGC NET paper leak and the subsequent cancellation of the exam by the ministry of education. The UGC NET 2024 was held on June 18, the exam was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which has faced criticism for its repeated inability to ensure the integrity of examinations. AISA has put forward various demands including Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, dissolution of the NTA, revocation of UGC's decision on PhD admissions through UGC NET.

The AISA states, “This incident has further exposed the deteriorating state of the education system in our country. More alarming is the declining faith of students in the current education system due to the continuous failures by the NTA to conduct exams without paper leaks and other irregularities, thanks to the Modi government and its incompetent Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.”

UGC NET Controversy: Widespread protests

In the past two weeks, AISA has spearheaded widespread protests demanding the dissolution of the NTA and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Demonstrations have taken place in multiple regions, including West Bengal, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Lucknow University, University of Hyderabad, and various locations in Bihar such as Ara, Samastipur, and Saran. Protests were also organized in front of the NTA Headquarters and the Ministry of Education.

AISA calls for scrapping NTA

The AISA said, “For several years, students have faced continuous paper leaks, irregularities, and serious mismanagement in entrance exams conducted by the NTA. They have demanded that the incompetent body like NTA be scrapped. The NEET (UG) scam is a recent example that has shaken students' trust in higher-level entrance examinations. Now, the paper leak in UGC-NET once again testifies to the NTA's absolute incapability of handling such important responsibilities.”

AISA criticises UGC’s decision on PhD admission through NET

AISA has also criticized the UGC's decision to centralize PhD admissions through a single NET exam. This move, according to AISA, has reduced opportunities for students, heightened competition, and benefited commercial entities at the expense of educational integrity. The AISA statement read, “This centralization of exams for different courses, whether PhD through NET, medical through NEET, or engineering through JEE, has primarily served the purpose of profiteering by commercial entities amidst severe competition.”

Calls for independent judicial inquiry

Despite the ministry of education's statement that the matter will be investigated by the CBI, AISA has called for an independent judicial inquiry. They argue that the credibility of the CBI has been compromised under the Modi government, which has allegedly used the agency to suppress dissent. AISA demands that a retired senior judge oversee the investigation to ensure impartiality and fairness.

AISA's Demands

AISA has put forward the following demands in light of the UGC NET 2024 paper leak:

Resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan: AISA holds the minister accountable for the continuous paper leaks and demands his immediate resignation.

Scrapping of NTA: The association calls for the NTA to be scrapped due to its incompetence in handling major examinations.

Independent Judicial Inquiry: AISA demands that an independent judicial inquiry be conducted to investigate the NTA’s inefficiencies and the specific case of the UGC-NET paper leak.

Re-examinations and new schedule: The Ministry of Education must take responsibility for organizing re-examinations and promptly announce a new schedule.

Revocation of UGC Decision on PhD: AISA insists that the UGC’s decision to make NET the sole exam for PhD admissions be revoked, restoring universities’ autonomy to conduct their entrance exams.