Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has postponed the University Grants Commission - National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) scheduled for January 15, 2025, citing the observance of Pongal, Makar Sankranti, and other festivals.

A circular issued by the NTA on January 13 confirmed the decision, stating that the new exam date would be announced later. However, the examination scheduled for January 16, 2025, will proceed as planned. Candidates have been advised to regularly check the NTA website for updates.

The decision follows requests from candidates and student organizations, including the Students Federation of India (SFI), which highlighted the cultural and logistical challenges posed by the exam dates.

In its representation, SFI emphasized that the January 15 exam coincided with widely celebrated festivals in southern states, potentially disadvantaging candidates from these regions.

The UGC-NET is held biannually to award the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), qualify candidates for Assistant Professor roles, and facilitate PhD admissions across 85 subjects.

For further updates, candidates are encouraged to visit the official NTA website.