New Delhi, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised the Central government after the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced a re-examination for UGC-NET papers in three subjects, alleging that examination irregularities were “stealing” students’ years.
The NTA announced on Sunday that UGC-NET examinations for English, Sociology and Commerce would be conducted again after multiple errors were reported in the question papers.
Reacting to the decision, Gandhi said thousands of candidates who had spent years preparing for the examination would now have to repeat the process in September.
“Thousands of candidates who prepared for years, filled forms, paid the fees, travelled to distant centres, must now do it all again in September. NTA makes the mistake, but the student serves the sentence,” Gandhi said in a post on X.
He alleged that the testing agency had failed to address questions surrounding the integrity of the examination and asked whether the question papers had been leaked before the test.
Referring to his “Chhatron Ki Goonj” programmes in Kota, Dehradun and Prayagraj, Gandhi said he had previously described the examination system as an “extraction machine” that takes students’ money, time, mental health and confidence without providing adequate accountability.
Gandhi also demanded accountability from NTA leadership and reiterated his call for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
“To every student sitting this exam again in September — you are not the problem,” he said, adding that the government must answer for the disruption caused to students.
The NTA said the Sociology examination will be held on September 10, while English and Commerce papers will be re-conducted on September 9. No additional examination fee will be charged from candidates, and seat allocation will not be reduced.
According to the agency, complaints regarding errors in the three papers were examined by a committee. Based on its recommendations, the NTA decided to conduct fresh examinations to ensure a “fair and error-free examination”.
The UGC-NET is conducted to determine eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professors, admission to PhD programmes and the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in universities and other higher education institutions.
The 2026 UGC-NET examination was conducted in June across 87 subjects. The NTA subsequently released the provisional answer key after facing criticism over the delay.
The results for the remaining 84 subjects will be declared as scheduled, the agency said.
The latest controversy comes amid continued scrutiny of the NTA following the NEET examination controversy, which had triggered widespread criticism and calls for reforms in the testing system.
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