Supreme Court advocate Ujjawal Gaur called on the UGC and NTA to release the delayed UGC NET results, highlighting the difficulties students face due to the extended wait. In a formal letter, Gaur emphasized that the delay infringes on students’ constitutional rights and warned of potential judicial intervention if unresolved. The delay stems from a re-examination caused by alleged paper leaks, leaving thousands of candidates in limbo about their academic and professional futures.
New Delhi: Supreme Court advocate Ujjawal Gaur stepped up in support of UGC NET candidates, calling for the immediate release of the delayed results. In a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Testing Agency (NTA), Gaur highlighted the frustration and distress caused by the prolonged delay in the declaration of results.
Gaur indicated that if the delay persists, he is prepared to seek legal action to ensure justice for the affected students.
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A member of both the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA), Gaur expressed his concerns on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating,
“I have formally addressed a letter to the @ugc_india Chairman and @NTA_Exams Chairperson, urging the immediate release of the UGC NET results. The continued delay is a serious infringement on students’ rights and is causing unnecessary hardship. If needed, we are prepared to seek judicial intervention. Rest assured, I stand firmly with you in this pursuit of justice.”
In his letter, Advocate Ujjawal Gaur emphasized the significant disruption the prolonged delay in UGC NET results is causing to students’ academic and professional lives. He pointed out that this delay not only diminishes students’ hard work but also infringes on their fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 19(1)(g) of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and the right to practice any profession. Gaur’s intervention comes at a crucial moment when many academic and professional opportunities are closing, leaving students unable to apply or move forward in their careers.
In his communication to the UGC Chairman, Gaur stressed the emotional and financial burden this delay is placing on students, many of whom come from modest backgrounds.
Highlighting the precarious situation of students whose futures remain uncertain, Gaur wrote,
“Each day without the declaration of results diminishes their hope and pushes them further behind in securing essential opportunities,”
He expressed confidence in the judiciary’s role in upholding justice and warned that if the UGC and NTA fail to act swiftly, judicial intervention would be sought to protect students’ rights.
Reaffirming his dedication to pursuing justice for the students if necessary, Gaur stated,
“The courts have consistently shown their sensitivity to such issues, ensuring fairness and transparency,”
The advocate’s letter ends with a firm call for immediate action, urging both the UGC and NTA to promptly release the UGC NET results and restore students’ trust in the system. Gaur’s involvement represents more than just a legal warning; it embodies the collective hopes and aspirations of thousands of students. He reiterated his commitment to standing by these students, ensuring they are not left behind in their academic and career pursuits.
With the possibility of judicial intervention looming, the pressure on UGC and NTA is mounting to act swiftly and ensure fairness and transparency in the result declaration process.
The UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) is a crucial examination conducted twice annually by the NTA to determine candidates’ eligibility for Assistant Professorship and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) positions in Indian universities and colleges. The exam consists of two papers, a general paper and a subject-specific paper, both in multiple-choice format. The June 2024 UGC NET session, initially scheduled for 18th June, was held from 21st August to 4th September 2024 following a series of complications.
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The original June session had to be postponed after the 18th June exam cancelled due to allegations of a leaked question paper, with rumours circulating that the paper available on the darknet two days prior. Subsequent investigations suggested that the paper may not have been leaked, but the situation caused widespread confusion, leading to a rescheduled exam. Although the re-exam successfully conducted, students are still awaiting the results.
On 26th September 2024, the NTA published a provisional answer key, allowing candidates to raise objections until 14th September 2024. However, students reported numerous errors in the answer key, with some papers allegedly containing more than 30 incorrect answers out of 150 questions. These inaccuracies have further fuelled students’ frustrations as they await the final answer key and the official release of the results.