NTA to Re-Conduct UGC-NET Exams Amid Errors in Question Papers

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to re-conduct UGC-NET exams for English, Sociology, and Commerce after errors were discovered in the question papers. This decision comes amid growing criticism of the agency's management of competitive exams. The NTA has assured that there will be no additional fees for candidates and that the number of qualifying candidates will remain unchanged. The agency is also taking steps to improve its internal processes to prevent future issues. With over 1 million candidates registered for various exams, the NTA aims to maintain transparency and accountability in its operations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 17, 2026, 12:23 IST

NTA Faces Backlash Over UGC-NET Re-Examinations

A file image of candidates outside the NTA examination centre.

New Delhi, Aug 17: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is under scrutiny following its decision to re-administer UGC-NET exams for three subjects due to significant errors in the question papers. In response to public criticism, the agency has committed to identifying and rectifying these issues transparently for the benefit of students.

According to sources, the NTA reviewed the problematic papers and consulted with subject experts before opting to re-conduct the exams instead of allowing flawed papers to remain valid.

Despite the challenges posed by the extensive range of subjects and the large number of unique questions, the NTA confirmed that the majority of the exams were conducted without issues. Out of 184 subjects, 181 were deemed satisfactory, with answer keys released on Sunday.

However, three subjects—English, Sociology, and Commerce—were flagged for problems, leading to the withholding of their answer keys as the agency focuses on implementing corrective actions.

Details regarding the re-examinations have been communicated separately, with the Sociology paper scheduled for September 10, while the English and Commerce tests will take place on September 9.

Those familiar with the situation acknowledged that re-taking an exam can be challenging for affected candidates, and the NTA is aware of this concern.

To alleviate some of the burden, the NTA has confirmed that there will be no additional fees for the re-tests, and the number of qualifying candidates along with subject allocations will remain unchanged.

Moreover, the agency is using this experience to enhance its internal processes related to the creation, moderation, translation, and assembly of question papers.

Sources emphasized that the NTA's proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues is crucial for establishing a more accountable examination system. While challenges are inevitable in large-scale examinations, the agency's credibility hinges on its ability to recognize, accept, and rectify these problems in the interest of candidates.

Previously, on Sunday, the NTA announced the re-examinations for the UGC-NET in English, Sociology, and Commerce, following widespread criticism regarding its management of competitive assessments.

This year, the NTA conducted a series of national examinations from June to July.

The examinations, for which answer keys are currently being processed, encompass three major assessments: UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, and ICAR (AIEEA-PG and AICE-PhD), covering a total of 184 subjects and papers with 24,700 distinct questions. Over 1 million candidates registered, with nearly 800,000 participating in the exams.