UGC-NET Cancellation: SC refuses to entertain PIL against govt decision to cancel exam over paper leak – The Hindu

Supreme Court of India recently declined to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the decision to cancel the UGC NET exam following allegations of a question paper leak.  PIL, filed by advocate Ujjawal Gaur, sought to oppose the Union Education Ministry and National Testing Agency (NTA)’s decision to cancel the examination. 

A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud emphasized that the petition was not filed by directly affected students but by a lawyer, suggesting that aggrieved students themselves should approach the court.  CJI stated that the court’s refusal to entertain the petition did not reflect a decision on the merits of the case. He advised the petitioner to leave such matters to those directly involved, indicating that legal representatives should focus on relevant legal issues. 

PIL also called for a stay on the proposed re-examination until the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) completes its inquiry into paper leak allegations. The petitioner argued that cancellation was arbitrary and unjust, particularly given the recent findings of CBI, which suggested the possibility of a paper leak being fabricated. Plea highlighted anxiety and unnecessary expenditure of resources caused to aspirants due to cancellation. 

NTA conducts the UGC NET exam biannually, with the upcoming edition scheduled from August 21 to September 4, 2024. Meanwhile, the Joint CSIR UGC NET was held from July 25-27, 2024.