NTA Postpones UGC-NET Exam Amidst Tamil Nadu Protests

Chennai — The National Testing Agency (NTA) postponed the UGC-National Eligibility Test (NET), originally scheduled for Jan. 15, citing requests from stakeholders. The decision came after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urged the Union Education Ministry to reschedule the exams, which clashed with Pongal festivities.

In a social media post, Stalin commended the ministry’s decision, calling it a “rightful decision” to postpone the exams. He highlighted the recurring practice of scheduling major exams on Tamil cultural festival days and expressed hope that institutions would respect the sentiments of all communities in the future.

The NTA, in its official statement, acknowledged receiving representations to postpone the exam due to festivals such as Pongal and Makar Sankranti. Rajesh Kumar, director of exams, confirmed that the decision to postpone the exam was made “in the interest of the aspirants,” with a new date to be announced later.

The UGC-NET, a crucial exam for aspiring academics and researchers, determines eligibility for assistant professor positions, JRFs, and Ph.D. admissions. The exam was scheduled for 17 subjects on Jan. 15, including mass communication and journalism, law, electronic science and environmental sciences. An additional 14 examinations were slated for Jan. 16, a public holiday in Tamil Nadu observed as Thiruvalluvar Day.

The decision to schedule the exams during Pongal sparked widespread protests in the state, with the student wing of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) announcing statewide demonstrations. DMK Students’ Wing Secretary and MLA, CVMP Ezhilarasan, condemned the NTA’s decision, calling it “insensitive” and disrespectful to Tamil cultural traditions.

CPI(M) leader and Madurai MP Su Venkatesan echoed these concerns, accusing the central government of a lack of respect for Tamil culture. He highlighted the inconvenience caused to students by scheduling exams during Pongal, a festival celebrating farmers and their contributions.

Venkatesan confirmed writing to the Union Education Minister requesting a rescheduling, stating that holding the exams during the celebrations undermines the festival’s importance.