According to claims highlighted in media reports, 67 out of the 150 questions asked in the UGC-NET 2026 English examination were allegedly identical to questions that had appeared in the 2024 paper. The allegations further suggest that not only were the questions repeated, but the answer choices and their sequence also remained unchanged.

The development has prompted legal intervention, with Supreme Court advocate Viniet Jindal formally raising the matter before the National Testing Agency (NTA), the body responsible for conducting the examination.

Complaint Seeks Independent Investigation

Jindal has reportedly submitted a written complaint to the Director General of the NTA, demanding an independent, transparent, and time-bound investigation into the alleged irregularities. Details of the complaint were later shared publicly through his official social media account.

In his communication, the advocate emphasized that competitive examinations are designed to assess the genuine knowledge, analytical ability, and academic preparedness of candidates. Any substantial repetition of questions from previous years could potentially compromise the integrity of the examination process and create concerns regarding equal opportunity for all aspirants.

The complaint also calls for accountability if procedural lapses are found during the investigation.

Questions Raised Over Examination Integrity

UGC-NET is considered one of India's most significant academic examinations, determining eligibility for Assistant Professor positions, Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), and admission to PhD programmes in several universities and higher education institutions.

Given the examination's importance, allegations of repeated questions have sparked debate among students, educators, and academic observers. Experts note that while some overlap in themes or concepts may occur across examinations, extensive repetition of questions and answer patterns could raise legitimate concerns about question paper preparation and quality control mechanisms.

NTA Yet to Issue Detailed Response

As of now, there has been no detailed public response from the National Testing Agency regarding the specific allegations. Candidates and stakeholders are awaiting clarification from the examination authority on whether the claims will be formally investigated and what measures may be taken if any irregularities are confirmed.

The controversy comes amid continued scrutiny of competitive examination systems in India, where transparency, examination security, and evaluation standards remain subjects of public interest.

With thousands of candidates appearing for UGC-NET every year, the outcome of any inquiry into the alleged question repetition is likely to be closely watched by the academic community and aspiring researchers across the country.

Hundreds of law students staged a protest at Hemchand Yadav University on Tuesday over poor results in the LLB first semester examination. The protesting students surrounded the university campus and accused the administration of unfair evaluation practices in the Legal Language subject.

Students alleged that answer sheets written in Hindi were marked incorrectly or failed during evaluation, severely affecting the overall result of the semester examination. The issue quickly turned into a major protest as students demanded re-evaluation and immediate intervention by university authorities.

Large Number of Students Affected

According to the result data released by the university, only 101 students passed out of 417 candidates who appeared for the LLB first semester examination. Officials stated that nearly 230 students were placed in the supplementary category, while 77 students were declared failed completely.

Students claimed that the unusually low pass percentage was mainly due to the Legal Language paper, where many Hindi-medium students allegedly received low marks or failed despite attempting the examination properly. The result has triggered concern among students preparing for the next semester examinations.

Hindi Medium Students Angry

Protesting students argued that in previous academic sessions, candidates had written answers in Hindi in the same subject and were awarded marks without objection. However, this time, students alleged that only answers written in English were evaluated properly. They claimed the rule was changed suddenly without prior notice from the university administration.

Students said most candidates from Hindi-medium backgrounds were directly affected because they attempted the paper based on earlier academic practices. Several students stated that if language-related rules had been changed, clear instructions should have been issued before the examination.

University Defends Evaluation Process

Responding to the controversy, university officials maintained that the evaluation process followed existing academic guidelines. Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjay Tiwari stated that as per Bar Council regulations, answers in the Legal Language subject were required to be written in English.

According to the university administration, the examination and evaluation process was conducted on the basis of those prescribed norms. However, protesting students argued that neither the university nor affiliated colleges had communicated such instructions clearly before the examination.

Demand for Re-Evaluation

Students submitted a memorandum addressed to the Vice Chancellor and Registrar demanding rechecking of answer sheets related to the Legal Language subject. They requested the university to ensure fair evaluation for students who may have lost marks due to language-related confusion. Protesters also demanded restoration of the re-evaluation system for law examinations. Students said the facility existed earlier but was discontinued later by the university administration. Many students argued that re-evaluation would help restore confidence among candidates affected by the unexpectedly poor results.

College Students Also Protest

Students from Dhanrasayan Singh Gurul College also joined the protest and expressed anger over the examination results. According to students, nearly 50 out of 56 students from one class were placed in the supplementary category in the English subject alone. Students claimed the issue was not limited to a single college and that candidates from all four affiliated law colleges faced similar problems. The widespread dissatisfaction has increased pressure on the university administration to review the evaluation process.

Delay in Result Raises Questions

Apart from the evaluation dispute, students also raised concerns regarding the delay in declaration of results. The LLB first semester examination was conducted during the December-January academic session, but the results were released only in May.

Students said university results are generally expected within around 45 days of examinations, but the delay this year caused academic uncertainty and mental stress among candidates. Many students pointed out that preparations for second semester examinations had already begun and exams are expected next month. The delayed result and poor performance have reportedly created anxiety among law students regarding their academic future.

Students Warn of Bigger Protest

During the demonstration, students warned the university administration that failure to address their concerns could lead to larger protests in the coming days. They demanded transparent communication regarding examination rules, fair evaluation procedures, and quicker grievance redressal mechanisms. University officials have not yet announced any final decision regarding re-evaluation or changes in the result process. However, discussions are reportedly ongoing within academic committees regarding the concerns raised by students.

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