UGC NET exam on December 30

The UGC Junior Research Fellow (JRF)/ lectureship NET examinations will be held on December 30 at nine centres in the city.

The first paper for 100 marks will be held between 9.30 am and 10.45 am and the second paper, also for 100 marks, will be between 10.45 am and 12 noon. The third paper is scheduled between 1.30 pm and 4 pm, for 150 marks.

The nine examination centres include Andhra University Arts College, AU Science College, AU College of Engineering, AU Women's Engineering College, Dr B R Ambedkar College of Law, AU Pharmacy College, AU School of Distance Education, Gayatri Vidya Parishad and Samatha College at MVP Colony.

The candidates, who registered at Andhra University examination centre (03) are requested to attend the exam with admit card and visit the varsity website www.andhrauniversity.info/ugc.html for further details.

SC relief to NET candidates

In a relief to thousands of aspirants taking the national eligibility test (NET), the UGC has withdrawn its decision to increase the cut-off marks for clearing the NET, following a Supreme Court order on Friday. The UGC had increased the eligibility score by 15% without notice.

The national educational testing bureau of the UGC conducts the NET for determining the eligibility for lectureship and for awarding junior research fellowship to ensure minimum standards for the entrants in the teaching profession and research. The NET is conducted in June and December every year.

The UGC, however, made several changes in the June 2012 exam, including increasing the cut-off marks. The candidates learnt about the changes only when the UGC announced it a day after announcing the results of the exam on September 18.

As per the initial notification, candidates belonging to the SC/ST sections needed 35, 35, and 60 marks respectively for qualifying papers 1, 2 and 3. The marks to be obtained by the OBCs were set as 35, 35, and 68 and for those belonging to the general category it was 40, 40, and 75. But, when the results were announced, candidates who would've been eligible as per the initial criteria failed to qualify.

As per the new criteria, the percentage of marks to be scored by candidates belonging to different categories has been increased by 15%.

This made several students file an affidavit with the SC against the UGC regarding change in norms. On Friday, the SC issued an order saying that the UGC's decision was invalid as it did not follow the exam policy in announcing the changes in cut-offs and that, too, in such a short period of time. An official at the University of Pune that conducts the NET exam said, "The SC decision is valid for all candidates who sat for the June 2012 examinations. The old cut-offs will be considered and new results will be announced."

UPSC suggests changes in Govt Civil Services exams

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has suggested changes in the prestigious Civil Services examination to make it more relevant in the present day scenario. 

"The UPSC have submitted a proposal to the Central government, suggesting certain changes in the existing scheme of civil services (main) examination to make it more relevant with the present day, global as well as internal scenario on the basis of the report of a committee," Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions V Narayanasamy told Rajya Sabha in a written reply. 

The committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Prof Arun S Nigavekar, former chairman, University Grants Commission ( UGC). 

"Till now, no decision has been taken by the government on these recommendations," the minister said.