The UGC Act stipulates a diverse representation within the Commission, yet its current makeup – dominated by central government officials – is raising eyebrows, particularly among academia.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has shaken up the traditional pathways of PhD admissions across India. Bid farewell to the days of university entrance exams determining your fate in doctoral studies – the era of National Eligibility Test (NET) scores as the ultimate decider has dawned.
In a pivotal decision greenlit during a recent Commission meeting on March 13, the UGC has orchestrated a paradigm shift in the academic terrain. With two-thirds of its member posts vacant, the Commission wields its authority, albeit amidst a chorus of raised eyebrows.
The UGC Act stipulates a diverse representation within the Commission, yet its current makeup – dominated by central government officials – is raising eyebrows, particularly among academia.
Gone are the days of sweating through individual university exams and nerve-wracking viva voce sessions. From the academic year 2024-25 onwards, your ticket to the PhD realm lies solely in your NET scores. The UGC's past decisions have drawn flak, especially regarding proposals around faculty recruitment, sparking heated debates and student uproar.
Now, as the dust settles on this latest bombshell, murmurs of discontent rise from the corridors of academia. Concerns echo about the potential impact on marginalized communities, with fears that this move could further marginalize those already on the fringes. Critics point to the NET's perceived shortcomings, questioning its suitability as the sole yardstick for gauging academic prowess. Doubts linger over its ability to truly measure research potential, with some alleging a departure from globally accepted standards.
Amidst the hubbub, the specter of eroding academic autonomy looms large. University honchos voice apprehensions about a creeping centralization, warning of a future where institutions lose their grip on research endeavors.
As the dust settles and the ink dries on this momentous decision, academia braces for a new dawn – one where NET scores reign supreme, but where the echoes of dissent may yet shape the path forward.