Congress steps up attack on NTA over UGC-NET retest, seeks white paper on cancelled exams
The Indian National Congress has intensified its criticism of the National Testing Agency following the decision to re-conduct the UGC-NET exam due to significant errors. The party is demanding a white paper on all recent exam cancellations and is using the issue to mobilize student support ahead of upcoming assembly elections.
Why it matters
The recurring failures of the NTA have become a major political flashpoint in India, impacting the academic and career prospects of millions of students.
The Congress on Monday (August 17, 2026) stepped up its attack on the National Testing Agency over its decision to re-conduct the UGC-NET examination for three subjects, demanding accountability for what it termed “serious” lapses in the examination system and a white paper on 15 major examinations cancelled or postponed by the agency.
The party’s latest attack comes ahead of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday (August 19, 2026), where expanding the party’s engagement with students and youth through the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” (Voice of Students) campaign is expected to be a key agenda. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to hold his next student interaction in Pune on August 22.
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