The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the UGC NET 2024 exam date and the centre intimation slips for the much-anticipated UGC NET Exam 2024. This announcement comes after a period of uncertainty caused by the postponement of the exam, initially scheduled for June 2024.
UGC NET 2024 Exam Date and Timings:
The exam will be conducted from July 25th to July 27th, 2024. The timings for the exam will be from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for some papers, while others will be held from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The specific schedule for each subject can be found on the official NTA website. Here’s a breakdown of the revised schedule:
- July 25th: Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences
- July 26th: Life Sciences
- July 27th: Chemical Sciences
The original exam dates were from June 25th to June 27th, 2024. However, the NTA was forced to postpone the exam due to “unavoidable circumstances and logistical issues.” While the nature of these issues wasn’t explicitly stated, the announcement highlights the importance of smooth exam administration for such large-scale assessments.
Why was UGC NET 2024 Exam Cancelled Previously?
The CSIR-UGC NET postponement becomes even more significant when viewed in the context of the UGC NET 2024 exam date cancellation that occurred last month. The Ministry of Education (MoE) made the drastic decision to cancel the UGC-NET exam based on information from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). This information suggested a potential security breach, with the possibility that the “integrity of the examination may have been compromised.” The MoE went further, stating on a social media platform (formerly Twitter) that the matter had been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “Soon after it was clear that the UGC-NET question paper on the dark net matches the original question paper of UGC-NET, we decided to cancel the examination. We take responsibility and have to rectify the system.”
These incidents highlight the vulnerabilities that exist in conducting high-stakes exams like the UGC-NET and CSIR-UGC NET. The potential for security breaches can have devastating consequences for aspiring researchers and academics. The swift action taken by MoE and NTA demonstrates their commitment to safeguarding the integrity of these exams.
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What is the CSIR-UGC NET Exam?
The Joint CSIR-UGC NET exam is a crucial gateway for Indian nationals seeking careers in scientific research and teaching. It serves two purposes:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Qualifying for JRF opens doors for research opportunities in various scientific fields within universities and research institutions. JRF awardees receive financial assistance to pursue doctoral studies.
- Lectureship (LS)/Assistant Professor: Qualifying for LS/Assistant Professor positions allows individuals to pursue teaching careers in science subjects at Indian universities and colleges.
Eligibility Criteria for UGC NET
Eligibility criteria for the CSIR-UGC NET exam vary depending on the targeted fellowship or assistant professorship. Usually, students who have completed their Master’s Degree or are appearing for it, can apply for the exam. Candidates can find detailed information on eligibility requirements on the official NTA website.
Downloading Exam Centre Intimation Slips:
Candidates who registered for the CSIR-UGC NET 2024 exam can now download their exam centre intimation slips. To access the slip, visit the official NTA website and enter your application number and date of birth. The slip will provide crucial details like the exam center address, reporting time, and important instructions for test day.
How to Download UGC NET Exam City Intimation Slip 2024?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the UGC NET Exam City Intimation Slips for the 2024 exam. Here’s a step-by-step guide to download yours:
- Visit the Official NTA UGC NET Website: Go to the official UGC NET website at https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in/.
- Locate the City Intimation Link: Look for a link titled “Exam City Intimation” or “Download City Intimation Slip.”
- Enter Your Login Credentials: On the designated page, enter your application number, date of birth, and security pin (if applicable).
- View Your Exam City: Once you submit your details, your exam city and center will be displayed on the screen.
- Download and Print (Optional): You can download the slip for your records or print it for future reference.
Exam Pattern and Duration
The CSIR-UGC NET exam is a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of two papers: Paper I and Paper II. Paper I is a common paper for all science streams, testing general science aptitude, research aptitude, comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, and scientific communication. Paper II is subject-specific, focusing on the candidate’s chosen field of science. Each paper carries a maximum of 100 marks, with a total exam duration of 180 minutes (3 hours).