CUET gets underway in over 500 cities
16 Jul 2022 08:03:17
NEW DELHI,
THE debut edition of the CUET-UG examination, a major education sector reform that will alter the admission process in central universities, kicked off on Friday in over 510 cities in India and abroad, amid complaints by harried students about last-minute change of exam centres, long commute, and lengthy question papers.
With 14.9 lakh registrations, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), the common gateway for undergraduate admissions in all central universities, is now the second biggest entrance exam in the country, surpassing JEE-Main’s average registration of nine lakh. NEET-UG is the biggest entrance test in India with an average of 18 lakh registrations.
“All set to start the first CUET at 9.00 am. Best wishes to all the students who are writing CUET,” UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar tweeted, encouraging students, gripped by anxiety over delayed delivery of admit cards and packed examination schedule.
Compounding their problems was a last-minute change of centre which resulted in many missing their test, prompting officials to assure that they will get another chance in the second phase of CUET in August.
The examination at two centres in West Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri and Punjab’s Pathankot was cancelled due to technical issues. They will also get a second chance to realise their dream of studying in a central university.
“Over 190 candidates who were to appear at the two centres will now be allowed to appear in the second phase in August. At other centres, the candidates who could not appear due to changes in exam centres will also get another chance,” a senior official of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the examination, said.
Some who took the test in the national capital in the morning slot said the questions were not difficult but the papers were a bit lengthy. Some aspirants, who came from faraway corners of the national capital, said it took them around 1.5 hours to reach the centre. There had been allegations that students from state boards that gave liberal marks secured admission to reputed colleges without having the required merit.
The CUET will be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 will be held in July and Phase 2 in August. Candidates who have opted for Physics, Chemistry or Biology have been assigned Phase 2 of the CUET exam, given that NEET (UG) - 2022 for admissions to MBBS and BDS colleges will be held on July 17.