NTA scraps 3 UGC-NET papers, orders re-exam in September

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the UGC-NET June 2026 papers in English, Commerce and Sociology after a review committee found widespread factual, typographical and translation errors, misspelt scholars' names and a significant number of repeated questions. The re-examinations will be held on September 9 and 10 without any additional fee. The NTA said the problems were too extensive to fix through the answer-key challenge process.

Student organisations including SFI, AISA and KYS held protests on August 17 demanding the NTA be scrapped and replaced with a transparent system. They called for a judicial inquiry into the agency's repeated failures. ABVP also expressed concern, demanding accountability in question-paper preparation so students do not pay for the NTA's lapses. The results for the other 84 UGC-NET subjects will be declared as scheduled.

Amid the fallout, the education ministry said the NTA has removed over 50 staff members and is onboarding new professional leadership, including a chief technology officer and chief finance officer. Education Minister Pralhad Joshi directed a complete overhaul of exam protocols and confidential operations. The NTA has been asked to conduct a thorough audit of all exam processes and submit a corrective action report.