Supreme Court Refuses to Hear PIL on UGC-NET Cancellation

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the cancellation of the UGC-NET examination following allegations of a question paper leak.

The bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and including justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, emphasized that their decision to dismiss the PIL does not address the merits of the case. The PIL was filed by lawyer Ujjawal Gaur, not by the affected students themselves.

“Why are you (lawyer) coming? Let the students come here themselves,” Chief Justice Chandrachud remarked, stressing that the dismissal should not be interpreted as a judgement on the validity of the PIL.

Advocate Ujjawal Gaur’s plea challenged the education ministry and the National Testing Agency’s decision to cancel the exam, which was based on inputs suggesting the exam’s integrity was compromised. The ministry had cancelled the UGC-NET exam on June 19 and handed the investigation over to the CBI.

Gaur’s petition also requested a stay on the proposed re-examination until the CBI completes its inquiry, arguing that the cancellation decision was arbitrary and unjust.

According to the plea, the CBI’s findings indicate that the evidence of the paper leak might be fabricated, nullifying the cancellation grounds.

The petitioner highlighted that the cancellation has caused significant distress and resource expenditure for aspirants who had diligently prepared for this crucial examination.