NTA defers UGC NET exam scheduled for January 15 in view of festivals

NEW DELHI: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has postponed the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2024 exam scheduled for January 15 on account of various festivals. The new UGC NET exam date will be announced later on the official website, ugcnet.nta.ac.in. The testing agency took the decision after receiving representations from candidates.

Earlier, NTA went on to issue the UGC NET admit card for the January 15 exam despite several requests for postponement.

“The National Testing Agency has received representation to postpone the UGC - NET December 2024 examination on account of Pongal, Makar Sankranti and other festival on 15th January 2025. In the interest of aspirants, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has decided to Postpone the UGC-NET December 2024 Exam scheduled on 15th January 2025 only,” read the latest NTA UGC NET December 2024 notification.

“The New date of exam will announce later. Examination scheduled on 16th January 2025 will be conducted as per earlier schedule,” NTA added.

UGC NET exam date clash

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leaders wrote to the Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan demanding UGC NET exam postponement to avoid clash with the Pongal festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu and other major festivals such as Makar Sankranti, Lohri, and Basant Panchami celebrated in other parts of the country.

The December session of UGC NET is being conducted for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment of candidates as assistant professor, and admission to PhD programmes in colleges and universities.