UGC NET December 2024 exam dates
– PC : Freepik

UGC NET December 2024 exam dates: Citing insensitivity towards Tamil Nadu’s cultural traditions, DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has urged Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to reschedule the UGC NET December 2024 exams. While the National Testing Agency (NTA) is scheduled to conduct the UGC NET 2024 December cycle exams from January 3 to 16, 2025, concerns have been raised about the exams falling on January 15 and 16 (coinciding with Pongal celebrations in Tamil Nadu).

Revise UGC NET December 2024 exam schedule: MP Kanimozhi’s appeal on social networking site

“I have written to the Union Education Minister, urging an immediate change in the exam dates for the UGC NET, which has been scheduled on the day of Pongal, January 15 and 16… It shows complete insensitivity towards the sentiments of Tamil Nadu,” read the letter posted by Kanimozhi on the platform X, expressing strong criticism of the exam schedule overlapping with Pongal. 

தமிழ்நாட்டின் பாரம்பரியத் திருவிழாவான பொங்கல் (ஜன 15,16) நாளில் பல்கலைக்கழக மானியக் குழுவின் (UGC) – பேராசிரியர் தகுதித் தேர்வு (NET) நடத்துவதற்கான முடிவைத் திரும்பப் பெற வேண்டும் என்று ஒன்றிய கல்வித்துறை அமைச்சர் @dpradhanbjp அவர்களுக்குக் கடிதம் எழுதியுள்ளேன்.

சமீபத்தில்தான்,… pic.twitter.com/SxMwpasXXp

— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) December 22, 2024

Pongal 2025: When and why the festival is celebrated?

It should be mentioned that Pongal, celebrated from January 13 to 16, marks the harvest festival in Tamil Nadu. The festival consists of four days – Bhogi Pongal, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal (each with distinct significance).  While the festival is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in the northern India, it marks the sun’s northward journey as per the Hindu calendar.