Delhi HC directs NTA to decide on refund of UGC-NET english examination fee after ordering re-test

Justice Jasmeet Singh passed the direction while issuing notice on a petition challenging the NTAs decision to hold the English examination afresh.

The respondents are also directed to take a decision regarding refund of the examination fee of the concerned examination, the Court ordered.

The petition has been filed by Parul Sheoran and others under Article 226 of the Constitution, challenging the NTAs public notice dated August 16 directing the re-conduct of the UGC-NET June 2026 examination for English.

The petitioners have sought quashing of the decision to conduct the examination again, contending that the decision was taken without disclosing the material forming its basis and allegedly without following the procedure prescribed under the UGC-NET June 2026 Information Bulletin.

They have also sought directions for declaration and processing of the results of the examination already conducted, after undertaking the prescribed answer-key challenge and expert-review process, including correction or revision of the answer key, deletion of defective questions and consequential re-evaluation wherever warranted.

Alternatively, the petitioners have sought refund of the examination fee already paid for the original examination if the re-conduct is permitted to continue. They have also sought permission to appear in the re-conducted examination without payment of any additional fee.

After hearing the matter, the Court issued notice to the respondents.

Counsel appearing for the Union of India and the NTA accepted notice and sought time to file their replies, which was granted by the Court. Notice was also directed to be issued to another respondent through all permissible modes, including electronic mode, with the petitioners required to take steps within one week. The matter will next be heard on October 6. (ANI)