Question on the Sanctity of UGC NET

The University Grant Commission (UGC) has been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the National Eligibility Test (NET). According to UGC, NET determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for the Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and eligibility for lectureship in order to ensure minimum standards for the entrants in the teaching profession and research. It is conducted twice in a year, first in June and then in December. Till December 2011 the test consisted of three papers. Paper-I comprised of 60 objective type questions of general nature, intended to assess the teaching/research aptitude of the candidate. Paper-II consisted of 50 objective type compulsory questions based on the subject selected by the candidate. Paper-III consisted of only descriptive questions from the subject selected by the candidate. From June 2012, Paper-III consists of 75 objective type compulsory questions from the subject selected by the candidate.

UGC demonstrated its penchant for the multiple choice question (MCQ) format by adopting it wholeheartedly at all levels which brought efficiency in conduction of the test and declaration of the results. But it failed to introduce subsequent and essential changes in other areas. That is why it has flaws at almost all stages.

Registration and Sitting Arrangement
 

Of the roll number, the first two digits are the centre code while the third and fourth digits denote the subject code and the last four digits are assigned in the order of form submission e.g. 02040122 here 02, 04, and 0122 are the code of the University of Allahabad, code of the subject Psychology, and order of form submission respectively. This is a grave mistake committed by UGC because candidates who have planned for cheating or euphemistically speaking helping each other, submit the form together one after the other. So they get the roll number in serial order. Sometimes two or three students apply only to help another student in getting qualified. Moreover all the candidates of a particular subject are allotted their centre of examination at one place or two/three places if candidates are in large number in that particular subject. Candidates of two subjects are seated alternatively i.e. one of Psychology then another of Political Science then of Psychology and this continues. In sitting arrangement of this ilk, those who have planned for prosocial behaviour in the exam easily circumvent the fragile inspection of the invigilators.

Syllabus and Question Paper

Although Paper 3 which earlier required descriptive responses has been converted into objective type yet the syllabus has not been revised despite the fact that Paper 2 is already objective type. The question paper of Paper 2 and Paper 3 has only one set so all the candidates of a particular subject have the question in the same order. Due to that the language of signs and symbols improvised by candidates works efficiently in the examination hall.

Time in Paper 3

 

In Paper 3 there are only 75 objective type questions and the time given to the candidates is two hours and thirty minutes (150 minutes). Candidates complete their paper effectively in not more than 75 minutes. So there is plenty of time for cherishing friendship and cheating.

In conclusion, it can be said that NET has an inherently flawed structure which inadvertently helps unscrupulous examinees. This is the reason that many charlatans have qualified the test. It is compromising the future of the higher education system. Prevent this obnoxious practice before the whole system is hijacked by them. To plug these loopholes UGC is required to take the following actions.

• Candidates of each subject should be scattered at many centres of examination. In one hall there should be candidates of at least four or five subjects.

• There is an urgent need for revising the syllabus of Paper 3 which was originally meant for conventional essay type answers.
• In Paper 2 and Paper 3 also there should be four sets of question papers so that candidates who are close to each other have questions in different order.
• Introduce the system of negative marking in all the papers so guessing would become fruitless and self-injurious.
• The number of questions should be increased in Paper 3 which will cover the syllabus more exhaustively and hence will serve three purposes: enhance the content validity of the test, increase the reliability of the test, and leave the cheaters with less spare time for cheating.
• If UGC is not inclined towards increasing the number of questions then the time allotted should be reduced to not more than 90 minutes in Paper 3.