New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the national testing agency over the decision to cancel and re-conduct UGC-NET examinations in three subjects. The examinations for English, Commerce and Sociology were cancelled following problems related to the question papers, and candidates will now have to appear for fresh examinations in September.

The decision has triggered criticism over the functioning of the examination system and the accountability of the authorities responsible for conducting the test. Rahul Gandhi has argued that students should not be made to bear the consequences of mistakes committed by an examination agency.

According to the information available, the UGC-NET examinations for English, Commerce and Sociology were conducted between June 22 and June 30. The decision to cancel the three examinations was taken later after concerns were raised regarding the question papers.

Rahul Gandhi has claimed that the question papers contained serious errors and that previously asked questions were repeated. He used the development to question the reliability of the examination process and demanded accountability from those responsible for preparing and managing the examination.

Students forced to repeat the entire process

The Congress leader has particularly focused on the difficulties faced by students who will now have to appear for the examination again.

Thousands of candidates had spent months and, in many cases, years preparing for the UGC-NET examination. Candidates completed their applications, paid examination fees and travelled to examination centres, with some students having to travel long distances away from their homes.

With the examination now cancelled, candidates will have to repeat much of the process. They will have to revise their preparation, make arrangements for travel and appear for another examination despite having already invested significant time and resources in the earlier test.

Rahul Gandhi has questioned why students should bear the financial and personal cost of an error that occurred within the examination system. He has argued that candidates fulfilled their responsibilities by preparing for the examination, submitting their applications and reaching their allotted examination centres.

For students preparing for competitive and eligibility examinations, even a few months can be extremely important. Examination schedules are often linked to academic plans, research opportunities, fellowships, teaching careers and other professional goals. A sudden cancellation can therefore create uncertainty about future plans.

### Questions over examination system

Rahul Gandhi has also criticised what he describes as wider problems within the country's examination system. He has said that he previously raised similar concerns while interacting with students in Kota, Dehradun and Prayagraj.

According to his argument, the issue is not limited to one examination or one group of candidates. He believes repeated examination-related disruptions can affect students' finances, preparation schedules, confidence and mental well-being.

Preparing for an examination such as UGC-NET involves more than studying the syllabus. Candidates spend money on applications, preparation material, coaching in some cases, transportation and accommodation. Many students also spend months planning their academic and professional schedules around examination dates.

When an examination is cancelled after candidates have already appeared for it, these investments may have to be repeated. This is why the question of accountability has become an important part of the controversy.

### Rahul Gandhi raises question of possible paper leak

Rahul Gandhi has also questioned whether the question papers may have been compromised before the examinations were conducted. He asked whether the papers could have been leaked before the examination.

However, any claim or suspicion regarding a possible paper leak would need to be established through an official investigation and supporting evidence. The available information about the cancellation concerns problems and irregularities related to the question papers, while the question of a possible leak remains a matter requiring investigation.

The issue has nevertheless added another dimension to the debate over examination security. Candidates appearing for national-level examinations expect the question papers to be accurate, secure and prepared according to established standards.

Any failure in these areas can create uncertainty among candidates and raise questions about the credibility of the examination process.

### Demand for accountability

Rahul Gandhi has argued that cancelling an examination alone should not be considered sufficient action when thousands of candidates have been affected. According to him, authorities should determine where the process failed and identify those responsible for the mistakes.

He has also questioned whether the senior leadership responsible for the examination system should face accountability.

The Congress leader referred to the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and said that such a resignation, in his view, should not be considered the final step toward reform. He argued that responsibility should also be examined at the level of senior officials and institutions involved in the examination process.

Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly argued that students should not be blamed for administrative failures. Addressing candidates who will sit for the fresh examination in September, he said that the disruption was not their fault.

Fresh examinations scheduled for September

The national testing agency has announced fresh dates for the three cancelled UGC-NET examinations.

According to the announced schedule, the re-examination for *English and Commerce will be conducted on September 9, while the **Sociology examination will be held on September 10*.

Candidates appearing for the fresh examinations will now have to prepare according to the revised schedule. They will also need to check the updated examination-related instructions and arrangements issued for the re-examination.

For many candidates, the announcement means returning to a preparation cycle that they believed had already ended. Students will now have to revise their subjects again while managing their academic, personal and professional commitments.

### Bigger debate over examination credibility

The controversy has once again brought the reliability and accountability of India's examination system into focus.

For students, the immediate concern is to ensure that the fresh examinations are conducted smoothly and that the question papers are properly prepared. Candidates also expect adequate security arrangements, accurate question papers and clear communication from the authorities.

At the political level, the issue has become part of a broader debate over examination management, accountability and the functioning of testing agencies.

Rahul Gandhi has said that the government must answer questions surrounding the examination system and ensure that students do not face similar problems again. The focus will now remain on the September re-examinations and on whether the authorities are able to conduct them without further disruption.

For the affected candidates, the most important issue is straightforward: after months of preparation and an already completed examination, they now have to return to the examination process once again. The outcome of the fresh examinations and any further findings regarding the earlier question-paper irregularities will determine the next stage of the controversy.