Recently, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to eliminate the process of normalisation for the Common University Entrance Test-UG (CUET-UG) and the National Eligibility Test (NET), starting from this year 2024. Normalisation, a method aimed at ensuring fairness in scoring across multiple exam sessions, has been a subject of contention among students.

UGC Chief, Jagadesh Kumar, announced the decision, citing concerns raised by students about the perceived unfair impact of score normalisation on their exam performance. He emphasized that the move comes as a response to the adoption of the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) mode, which allows for conducting exams across the country on the same day, thereby eliminating the need for multiple exam sessions.

Previously, exams for the same paper had to be spread over two or three days to accommodate student preferences for exam centers. However, with the widespread availability of exam centers at schools and colleges, UGC aims to streamline the process and ensure fairness in a single-day examination.

CUET-UG, scheduled from May 15 to 24, 2024, will see a departure from its traditional Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, with 15 subjects conducted in pen and paper mode and 48 subjects in online mode. Similarly, UGC-NET, typically held in CBT mode, will switch to pen and paper mode on June 16.

UGC-NET plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for various academic pursuits including the award of Junior Research Fellowship, appointment as assistant professor, and admission to PhD programs in Indian universities and colleges.

The decision to abolish score normalisation underscores UGC's commitment to enhancing the fairness and transparency of the examination process, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates.