Excuse my skepticism and paranoia, BUT at this age and time, the majority of “independent” institutions in India are showing cracks of political favoritism and dubious dogmatic agendas. Indeed, there hasn’t been much of a proof to back this claim up but CBSE is one of these institutions. Why not really when even a large part of ECI and state judiciary seems to be serenaded in the Modi wave?!!!!!
So, the news that a record of 55,000 candidates has managed to clear the UGC-NET 2018 – and the results are announced only a record 3-weeks later – it’s hard to see this as apolitical.
Total of 11,48,235 candidates registered for the National Eligibility Test. 8,59,498 appeared on the exam date. The exam was conducted on July 8. Earlier, it would take at least 3 months till the declaration of the result. This time it, unbelievably, took only 3 weeks.
Also, per UGC norms, usually 6 percent candidates clear the exams. But this time, 6.5 percent did, making the total number to 55,000. Last year, only 38,000 candidates cleared the exam and qualified as an assistant professor and got the grant for Junior Assistant Fellowship (JRF).
Now, of course, there’s a lot of things that could be going on here. For once, the number of candidates appearing for the exam is too big. So, more number cleared this exam. (This alone shows the struggle of Indian youths; how desperate they are for jobs; how many of them are currently unemployed!) The exam paper was easy. Also, the manpower employed to check the sheets and declare result—they were either too efficient or not efficient at all.
If you’ve been following the right and relevant news, you would know well about the unemployment in this country, the condition of youths in the rural areas, the condition of universities, the strenuous importance of such competitive exams (NET, railway), and how poor the entire infrastructure is in India to manage such tests efficiently.
Ravish Kumar of NDTV, in particular, has been raising such issues continuously in his Primetimes. Given his giant stature in Indian media who’s followed by millions of voters, the latest development comes in direct answer to his (and others’) critical and offensive comments. We have seen how his Primetimes has impacted the Railway system in the country, in regards to train delays and facilities on stations. As of late, he has been speaking a lot of students appearing for the Railway exams. Ravish Kumar is one of those very few journalists and news anchors today who has been continuously pushing the topic of youth unemployment.
A record 55,000 candidates have cleared UGC-NET 2018. Either we’re improving (which seems unlikely as long we’re witnessing Hindu-Muslim politics), or it’s a desperate attempt on government/BJP’s part to repaint its image as someone who’s improving infrastructures, help youths get jobs. It’s a desperate (and meek) attempt to side-line what their critics are saying.
Certainly, I might be wrong here. But over the course, in the runner-up campaigns to General Election 2019, if you hear BJP ministers and politicians talking about how youths are happy and progressing, and how they are getting more opportunities, under their rule, you would understand what I am saying here. Take it with a pinch of salt if you’re a Modi-Bhakt—it is VERY unlikely that BJP peeps won’t talk about 55,000 students clearing UGC-NET 2018 in their campaigns just to win some political brownie points.
Anyhow, a hearty congratulations to all those who cleared UGC-NET 2018. Regardless of where this country is on the political front, the struggling youths deserve so much better. It’s good to see them getting what they deserve, irrespective of the political intent behind that.