Student Protest Erupts Over UGC-NET Exam Cancellation in Lucknow

Various student groups protested outside Lucknow University against the central government over the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. The education ministry canceled the exam following concerns over its integrity, handing the matter to the CBI for investigation.

Lucknow—Student groups from Samajwadi Chhatra Sangh and National Students' Union of India (NSUI) staged a vociferous protest outside Lucknow University, condemning the central government's decision to cancel the UGC-NET exam. Demonstrators demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Brandishing placards, the students, gathered at Bhaurao Deoras Dwar, chanted slogans against the Union Grants Commission (UGC), National Testing Agency (NTA), and the education ministry. "We worked hard for over a year for the NET exam which has now been canceled. This is a grave injustice," voiced one protester. The students were barred from entering the university by security staff and continued their protests outside the gates.

The education ministry's cancellation followed intel suggesting the exam's integrity was compromised, prompting a CBI investigation. Parallel slogans were raised by Samajwadi Party (SP) members at Hazratganj crossing, also calling for the minister's resignation. Conducted in pen and paper mode for the first time in years, the exam was attempted by a record 11 lakh students on June 18. SP president Akhilesh Yadav and other opposition leaders have joined student calls for accountability.

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