NTA releases answer keys for CUET-UG, results likely to be announced in a week

NEW DELHI: National Testing Agency (NTA) released answer keys for the Common University Entrance Test-Undergraduate (CUET-UG 2024) on Sunday. The window for students to challenge the answer keys is open till July 9. NTA also said it would conduct a retest for CUET-UG candidates from July 15 to 19 if any grievances regarding the exam are found to be valid.
Release of answer keys sets the stage for announcement of results, which has been delayed by over a week. According to National Testing Agency sources, the results are expected to be announced within a week.
The answer key provides candidates with an approximate idea of their scores and chances of admission to the 261 participating universities. Candidates can also challenge the answer key for a fee of Rs 200 per key. "Candidates can submit their challenges for the answer key by 6 pm on July 9," said a senior NTA official. "Challenges made by candidates will be verified by a panel of subject experts. Based on the revised final answer key, the results will be declared."
NTA is also addressing grievances regarding the CUET-UG exam, received up to June 30. If found genuine, NTA is committed to retesting these candidates at selected centres between July 15 and 19, 2024, the official said.
While the exact nature of grievances has not been spelt out by NTA, candidates reported issues such as loss of time at certain exam centres and technical difficulties.
The delay in results comes amid a controversy over alleged irregularities in competitive exams conducted by NTA, including NEET and NET. Along with UGC-NET, the University Grants Commission is also under scrutiny for introducing pen-paper mode in CUET-UG.
For the first time, CUET-UG was conducted in a hybrid mode. NTA had announced that the third edition of CUET-UG would be completed in seven days with no score normalisation, as all exams would be conducted in a single shift. For 15 subjects, the tests were pen-paper based, while the other 48 subjects were computer-based. This year, over 13.4 lakh candidates registered for the common entrance test for admission to undergraduate courses in 261 central, state, deemed, and private universities.
In response to allegations of irregularities in NEET and NET, the Centre has notified a high-level panel headed by former Isro chief R Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations by NTA. NEET is under scrutiny for issues such as alleged paper leak, while UGC-NET was cancelled due to compromised exam integrity. Both matters are being investigated by CBI.