The University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) has sparked significant controversy due to its scheduling coinciding with the Tamil Nadu festival of Pongal. DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has vocally condemned the decision, asserting it reflects the central government's insensitivity to the sentiments of Tamil Nadu's people.
Scheduled for January 15 and 16, the UGC-NET exam dates overlap with the critically important Tamil festival, Pongal, which is traditionally celebrated by Tamils worldwide. Kanimozhi, representing Thoothukkudi, submitted her concerns directly to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, stating, “Conducting UGC-NET exams on those days would affect both the Pongal celebrations and the exam preparations of the students from Tamil Nadu.” This examination is intended for aspiring teachers and researchers, and the failure to accommodate cultural practices could jeopardize many students’ academic aspirations.
Pongal is not merely a holiday; it holds deep connections to Tamil cultural identity and pride. It is celebrated as the harvest festival, and its timing is significant for families coming together to honor customs. Kanimozhi emphasized this cultural importance, proclaiming, “This is not mere negligence — it is a deliberate affront to our cultural heritage.”
Political reactions to the scheduled exams have surfaced from various corners, building pressure on the central government. Kanimozhi pointed out this incident is symptomatic of larger repeated insensitivity, highlighting previous instances where major exams, such as the Chartered Accountant (CA) exams, were scheduled on significant Tamil dates. Recently, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India responded to public pressure by moving one of its exam dates from January 14 to January 16, 2025, just before Pongal. Kanimozhi’s letter reflects growing frustration as she noted, “Once again, the Union Government has exposed its blatant disregard for our state.”
The National Testing Agency (NTA) organized UGC-NET examinations are slated to take place over several days, with January 15 and 16 set for tests across 17 subjects, like mass communication and law. The results of the examinations significantly influence candidates' pursuit of Junior Research Fellowships, assistant professor appointments, and admission to PhD programs, adding more weight to the scheduling conflict. Exams are typically conducted in two shifts from 9 AM to 12 PM and 3 PM to 6 PM, overlapping directly with the festivities of Pongal.
DMK’s student wing has taken up the issue, demanding the NTA reconsider the exam dates, threatening protests if no changes are made. Student wing secretary CVMP Ezhilarasan articulated the group’s frustration, stating, “Either they are extremely naive to not be able to know this simple fact, or they know and are purposely doing it because of their disdain for different cultures.” Such sentiments resonate widely among local and regional leaders who view the scheduling as yet another example of the central government failing to respect the cultural distinctions across India.
Su Venkatesan, the CPI (M) MP from Madurai, also met with Minister Pradhan to advocate for rescheduling the UGC-NET examination, emphasizing the need for respect for Tamil cultural practices. The culmination of these discussions aims to convey to the central authorities the regional significance of such festivals and the necessity of accommodating them within national examination schedules.
Despite these pressures, officials from the education ministry and the NTA have remained largely unresponsive. One source familiar with discussions stated, “A decision on the rescheduling will be taken soon, but we cannot assure anything yet,” pointing to uncertainty surrounding the resolution. Meanwhile, representatives of the UGC have not publicly commented on the matter, leaving stakeholders concerned as the dates draw closer.
Previous controversies surrounding UGC-NET exams have set precedent on the sensitivity of timing and cultural integration within India. The education ministry faced backlash as recently as June 2021 when UGC-NET exams were cancelled following allegations of cheating and paper leaks. The handling of the upcoming exams shows how deeply entangled cultural and educational systems are, and as stakeholders continue to protest, it will be interesting to see how these voices influence decision-making at the central level.
The increasing visibility of politicians and public sentiment surrounding the UGC-NET exam scheduling coincides with broader conversations about cultural recognition within Indian governance. The outcome of this situation could have far-reaching consequences on how academic institutions respond to regional cultural practices and the demands of examination timelines. With Pongal approaching, the pressure on the UGC and the NTA to make timely, responsible decisions will only intensify as Tamil Nadu continues to rally for respectful acknowledgment of its traditions.
