The talks of National Eligibility Test (NET) being held once a year has been out there for some time now. Latest updates are continuously pouring in and each advancement confirms the rumor more.

As per the reports, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has expressed disagreement for conducting the exam twice a year. The Board has made it clear to MHRD that it is too burdened and shall loosen the yoke by keeping NET only once in the list of the examination to be conducted.

It takes a lot of effort and resources in conducting an examination, especially at the national level, and CBSE’s cup is overflowing. The Board claimed that conducting the exam is an arduous task and only a handful candidate appears for it. As per the data, on an average 6.5 lakh candidates apply for the examination but on an average 1.5 lakh turn up for the examination. Out of these, the pass percentage is only upto 3.9% qualify.

Hence, the Board advises that it should be conducted once only. The number of the applicant shall remain the same but the figure of appearing candidates is expected to increase. The poor rate of qualifying candidates is also the reason due to which UGC increased the pass percentage to a mandatory 6%. Unlike the previous year, now, 6% candidates will qualify NET, irrespective of the category.

If sources are to be believed, the possibility of NET being conducted once a year is quite high. As MHRD seems in agreement with the proposition. However, the ministry is also analysing each and every impact of the annual NET examination and shall take a decision soon.

Until now, the UGC NET was held twice a year in the month of July and December. However, this year, the exam was first held in January and is now due on November 05, 2017. It is a mandatory qualification for those seeking JRF or Assistant Professorship.

If NET is only held once a year then for sure candidates will lose on an attempt but it is positive in numerous ways. After much thought, the responsibility to conduct UGC NET was bestowed to CBSE in the year 2016. Apart from NET, CBSE also conducts numerous other national level examination like JEE Main, NEET, CTET, etc. The core work of the Board is not only to conduct the examinations but to regulate the school level education system.

Yet, what is happening currently is that it is unable not carry out any properly. All the glitches in the national level examination and school board exams are only piling up in the records and realizing this CBSE has expressed its inability to do it all.

The ministry is also sensing the exhaustion of the Board and to prevent it National Testing Service has been proposed. The NAT will be completely dedicated to conducting the entrance and recruitment examinations and will allow CBSE to focus on school level education wholeheartedly. Until NAT starts to function, CBSE will have to find ways to cope up with the pressure and conducting NET once a year is one of these.