Jawaharlal Nehru University is contemplating a return to its own in-house entrance exams for PhD admissions, following the cancellation of the UGC NET exam due to integrity issues. The university had planned to use the now-cancelled UGC NET for PhD admissions this academic year. In a statement on Thursday, the JNUTA revealed that JNU is exploring the option of conducting its own entrance exam. The JNUTA mentioned that Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit made the decision on July 3, 2024, to consider reinstating the previous system of JNU's own entrance exams for PhD admissions. The JNUTA views this as a positive step in response to their demand following the cancellation of the June 2024 UGC-NET exam. A senior university official has confirmed that these considerations are actively being discussed. Over the past year, both teachers and students have voiced concerns about the NTA-led exams. There has been a consistent demand from students and teachers for the university to take back the responsibility of conducting the entrance exams. The National Testing Agency (NTA) had been in charge of the exams for several years, with candidates for PhD programs required to take a Computer Based Test. This year, JNU announced a shift in its selection process for PhD programs, opting to accept the National Eligibility Test (NET) score instead of its own entrance test, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. However, on June 19, the central government cancelled the exam, which was crucial for entry-level teaching jobs and PhD admissions in universities, citing potential integrity issues as per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In its statement, the JNUTA expressed support for the decisions made in the meeting of the Vice-Chancellor and Deans of Schools on July 3, 2024, and the referral of the matter to the faculty of Schools/Centres for their input. The JNUTA sees this as validation of their long-held stance on entrance exams and a positive response to their specific demands following the cancellation of the June 2024 UGC-NET exam.
Text: Lara Palmer
11.07.2024
Following UGC NET Cancellation, JNU Mulls Resuming Own Entrance Tests for PhD Admissions