UGC NET Forms Not Out Yet, Students Stage Protest

The applications for National Eligibility Test (NET) which is scheduled to be conducted in July have not been released yet. The members of All India Students Association (AISA) protested in front of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and demanded them to immediately release the application forms.

Last week, the reports of the possible suspension of UGC NET for the first time in 33 years was speculated. It was a result of the massive seat cut in M.Phil/ Ph.D. courses at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

AISA student wing of the CPI (M-L) stated that this move cannot be seen in isolation but as part of latest attacks on research and higher education in India. AISA national general secretary, Sandeep Saurav expressed (as reported to PTI) that these two moves of CBSE had raised concern on research-related future of the country. Students stated that both the policies will make research development an exclusive area in our country.

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Though these reports are not confirmed from any official source, the students fear the cancellation of the exam. With this confusion, the AISA members approached UGC yesterday for clarification and demanded that action must be taken in this regard. Students also staged a demonstration at the UGC office and submitted a memorandum for the same.

HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, in a recent parliament session, informed that the shortage of faculty has become a big obstacle in providing quality education. He had also mentioned that most of the vacancies will be filled this year. He further added that any delay or suspension of the examinations will definitely lead to frustration among students.

Also Read: Result of UGC NET January 2017 Announced

The UGC handed over the responsibility of conducting NET to CBSE in 2014. The CBSE is responsible for conducting the JEE Mains, UGC NET, CTET and NEET along with the board exams of secondary and senior secondary grade.

Every year, over five lakh aspirants take the exam and the application procedure for the examination for the session of July begins in the month of April.