The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), affiliated with the Congress party, organised a protest in New Delhi on August 17, 2026, against the National Testing Agency (NTA). This demonstration was aimed at addressing reported irregularities linked to the 2026 UGC-NET examination. Tensions escalated during the event, resulting in clashes between the protesting students and security forces present at the location.

Allegations and Re-examinations

The NTA recently declared a re-examination for the English, Commerce, and Sociology papers within the 2026 UGC-NET examination framework. This decision was made following numerous complaints regarding errors in these subjects’ question papers. The agency established a committee to investigate these grievances, which identified various issues such as factual inaccuracies, typographical errors, and repetitions of previously asked questions.

The NTA stated that the re-examination aims to rectify these concerns and ensure candidates experience a fair and accurate testing procedure. The NSUI has criticized this decision, asserting that thousands of students must now retake their examinations in September due to the NTA’s alleged mistakes. They accused the system of failing the students, who are ultimately the ones bearing the consequences of these alleged irregularities.

The NSUI highlighted that the original Sociology, English, and Commerce exams were scheduled between June 22 and 30; however, they were cancelled two months later due to the identified issues. The student body has called for accountability from the NTA’s leadership, stressing that students should not suffer because of systemic failures in the examination process.

Response to the Situation

In the protest, NSUI representatives claimed that the errors in the examination process reflect a broader systemic problem, asserting that the NTA must offer clarity regarding the situation and the integrity of the examination process. They questioned whether the examination papers had been leaked prior to the tests, emphasising that transparency is critical at this juncture.

The NSUI also expressed regret over the perceived inaction of governmental officials, such as Dharamendra Pradhan, the Union Education Minister. They regarded his resignation as merely the initial step towards restoring credibility to the examination process, emphasising the necessity for comprehensive accountability at all levels within the NTA.

As a consequence of the documented errors, the NTA announced specific re-examination dates. The English paper is set for September 9 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the Commerce paper will take place on the same day from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and the Sociology paper is scheduled for September 10 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The NSUI continues to advocate for the rights and dignity of the students affected by these developments.

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