Candidates appearing for the University Grants Commission’s National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Sunday in the city had to run from pilla
Candidates appearing for the University Grants Commission’s National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Sunday in the city had to run from pillar to post in the absence of a redressal system after they turned up late at the exam centre due to train delays.
According to a candidate who had reached the centre at Anushakti Nagar at Trombay late by 5-10 minutes due to train delays on the central line, she was turned away and not allowed to speak to the exam centre head by the police. “The police was rude and abused us and also said that if I was so concerned about appearing for the test I should have come overnight and slept outside the centre to ensure that I was on time,” said the candidate.
Like this candidate, many others had to face a similar problem and said that as the name and contact of the city coordinator was not known, they were unable to complain to get their problem addressed.
Since the CBSE started conducting the NET last year, aspirants have been facing a problem in the absence of a local coordinator. Previously, when the NET was directly conducted by the UGC, Dr D. Harishandan of the University of Mumbai was the coordinator and candidates were able to get their problems resolved. However since the CBSE has started conducting the exam, it has failed to provide any helpline number and name of its coordinator in the city, as a result of which candidates have no option but to suffer.
Repeated attempts to contact the CBSE office failed to elicit a response. A senior academician in the city said that while the CBSE conducting the exam was a good move by the UGC, it should have ensured that everything was in place. “Most of the candidates appearing for the NET are teachers and such treatment at exam centres can be detrimental towards their prospects. Such an unprofessional approach by the CBSE is unexpected,” said the academician.
