NTA Likely To Hold CET For UG And PG Courses In Central Universities From Academic Session 2022-23, Hints UGC

In a significant development, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has hinted at the common entrance test (CET) for various undergraduate and post-graduate courses from the academic session 2022-23 to be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is also responsible for conducting NEET and JEE national level entrance examinations.

In addition, the NTA score will also be taken into account for seeking admission to Ph.D programmes, wherever feasible, according to the UGC.

NTA Likely To Hold CET For UG PG Courses

"Accordingly, all central universities are advised to take appropriate measures for the Common Entrance Test from the academic session 2022-2023. These tests would be conducted in minimum 13 languages in which NTA is already conducting JEE and NEET examinations," the UGC letter to vice-chancellors of all universities said.

"The Common Entrance Test may also be adopted by the willing state/private universities/deemed to be universities," the commission added.

Centre's National Education Policy (NEP) had proposed a common entrance test (CET) for all universities through the National Testing Agency (NTA) that will serve as a premier and autonomous testing agency offering high-quality common aptitude test, and specialised exams for common subjects in disciplines such as humanities, arts, sciences, languages, and vocational subjects in institutions of higher education.

UGC CET Academic Session 2022-2023 Committee

A special committee was formed to look into the matter of conducting CET for central universities, and suggest modalities for organizing the same.

"The committee held several rounds of discussions regarding the modalities in details for conducting the CET. Thereafter, a meeting was held with the vice-chancellors of all central universities on November 21 to discuss the recommendations of the panel," the commission said.

Earlier, an announcement was made by the Ministry of Education for organising admissions for academic session 2021 through common entrance test (CET), which did not materialise owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.