Chennai, January 8, 2025 — Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has appealed to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to reschedule the UGC-NET exams slated for January 13–16, 2025, as they clash with Pongal, one of Tamil Nadu's most significant festivals.

In his letter to the Union Minister, Stalin emphasized that Pongal, celebrated from January 13 to 16, is a time of great cultural and familial significance in Tamil Nadu. The state government has declared January 14 to 17 as public holidays to facilitate the celebrations, which include family gatherings and community events.

The Chief Minister expressed concern that conducting UGC-NET exams during this period would pose challenges for aspirants in Tamil Nadu, many of whom would face difficulties balancing their academic commitments with the festival.

Stalin also referenced the recent rescheduling of the Chartered Accountants Foundation Examination, which was postponed to accommodate Pongal celebrations, as an example of adapting national-level exams to regional cultural contexts.

Support from Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister
Echoing the Chief Minister’s sentiments, Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan previously urged sensitivity in planning national examinations to avoid conflicts with regional festivals.

Current Status of UGC-NET
While the request pertains to the January exam schedule, UGC-NET admit cards for the August 21–September 4, 2024, exam cycle are already available on the official website.

Awaiting Response
The Union Government’s response to the appeal is awaited. The call for rescheduling highlights the importance of aligning national academic schedules with regional traditions to ensure inclusivity and ease for students.

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