In a major development, the Education Ministry has announced the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam, citing concerns over the integrity of the test. The decision affects over 11 lakh registered candidates and has sparked nationwide protests and demands for a re-test.

Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary in the Education Ministry, addressed the media, revealing that the cancellation was based on inputs from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. The exam, which took place on Tuesday, was scrapped the following day.

"The matter has been handed over to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation. We are committed to conducting a fresh examination soon and will share the details in due course," Jaiswal stated. He emphasized the ministry's zero-tolerance policy towards any form of malpractice, ensuring strict action against those involved.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for administering the exam, is under scrutiny for alleged irregularities. This comes in the wake of similar controversies surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical college admissions, which saw 24 lakh candidates sit for the test. Reports of misconduct in NEET have already led to widespread unrest, further intensified by the UGC-NET scandal.

Responding to inquiries about the switch to OMR (pen and paper) mode for the exam, Jaiswal explained that the decision was influenced by feedback from various stakeholders and the NTA's experience over the past four years.

UGC-NET, a crucial examination determining eligibility for assistant professor positions and research fellowships in universities and colleges, was halted amid allegations of compromise. The cancellation has fueled political debate, with opposition parties seizing the opportunity to criticize the Narendra Modi government ahead of the upcoming Parliament session.

The Congress party labeled the current administration as the "paper leak government," while members of the INDIA bloc, including the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), joined the chorus of condemnation.

As the CBI embarks on its investigation, the Education Ministry reassures candidates that a new exam will be scheduled, promising transparency and fairness in the process. The controversy underscores the growing demand for rigorous safeguards to maintain the credibility of crucial national examinations.