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.