Representative image NEW DELHI: The UGC-NET paper meant to test sociology candidates has itself come under scrutiny, with aspirants alleging that the June 30 exam was riddled with spelling errors, garbled names of key thinkers, awkward Hindi translations and questions that appeared disconnected from the prescribed syllabus.Candidates alleged that names and terms central to sociology were mangled in the question paper: “Ritzer” appeared as “Putzer”, “social” as “oval”, “Parsons” as “Parsow”, “Ghurye” as “Ghunye”, “A R Desai” as “A K Desai” and “Nussbaum” as “Nusbaut”. They claimed the errors were not isolated typos but part of a larger problem of poor paper-setting and inadequate quality checks in a national eligibility examination conducted by NTA.Several candidates who appeared for the sociology paper alleged that the questions had spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, weak Hindi translations and confusing phrasing, making parts of the paper difficult to comprehend.Candidate Antara Chakrabarty took to X to allege that the paper had “crossed all limits of academic deceit and accountability”. She claimed the paper asked questions that appeared AI-generated and included “random thinkers and books” not associated with the syllabus.“Not even getting started on the irregularity of the paper asking AI-generated questions, random thinkers and books not even remotely associated with the syllabus provided. This is where the last nail in the coffin comes. 50% of the paper had terrible spelling errors and grammatically disastrous sentence formation,” she wrote.Listing the alleged errors, she added: “Thinkers like ‘Ritzer’ was replaced as ‘Putzer’, ‘social’ was given as ‘oval’, ‘Parsons’ as ‘Parsow’, ‘Ghurye’ as ‘Ghunye’, A R Desai as ‘A K Desai’, ‘Nussbaum’ as ‘Nusbaut’ and many more. The Hindi translation of the questions was framed as if translated by a 5-year-old. Students could not even understand the questions, let alone attempt them.”“Half the time went in literally making sense of what nonsense was scribbled in the name of a paper like NET, which is literally supposed to make you eligible for Asst Prof/PhD admissions. Is this some joke? Call the profs who framed this paper to sit and attempt,” she wrote.Another X user alleged that the paper was “filled with spelling errors, arbitrary questions, and the omission of many foundational sociological thinkers in favour of content that appeared outside the prescribed syllabus”. The user also questioned a question asking candidates to arrange former education ministers in chronological order, arguing that it did not meaningfully assess critical thinking in sociology.The complaints come even as the UGC-NET English paper has drawn criticism after 67 of 150 questions were found to be identical to questions asked in the 2024 exam, with the sequence of answer options also reportedly unchanged.NTA did not respond to TOI’s queries on the matter till the filing of this report.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood ByAs Takaichi Arrives In Delhi, Why India Refuses To Take Sides In The Japan-China Standoff123PhotostoriesPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? 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NEW DELHI: The UGC-NET paper meant to test sociology candidates has itself come under scrutiny, with aspirants alleging that the June 30 exam was riddled with spelling errors, garbled names of key thinkers, awkward Hindi translations and questions that appeared disconnected from the prescribed syllabus.Candidates alleged that names and terms central to sociology were mangled in the question paper: “Ritzer” appeared as “Putzer”, “social” as “oval”, “Parsons” as “Parsow”, “Ghurye” as “Ghunye”, “A R Desai” as “A K Desai” and “Nussbaum” as “Nusbaut”. They claimed the errors were not isolated typos but part of a larger problem of poor paper-setting and inadequate quality checks in a national eligibility examination conducted by NTA.Several candidates who appeared for the sociology paper alleged that the questions had spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, weak Hindi translations and confusing phrasing, making parts of the paper difficult to comprehend.Candidate Antara Chakrabarty took to X to allege that the paper had “crossed all limits of academic deceit and accountability”. She claimed the paper asked questions that appeared AI-generated and included “random thinkers and books” not associated with the syllabus.“Not even getting started on the irregularity of the paper asking AI-generated questions, random thinkers and books not even remotely associated with the syllabus provided. This is where the last nail in the coffin comes. 50% of the paper had terrible spelling errors and grammatically disastrous sentence formation,” she wrote.Listing the alleged errors, she added: “Thinkers like ‘Ritzer’ was replaced as ‘Putzer’, ‘social’ was given as ‘oval’, ‘Parsons’ as ‘Parsow’, ‘Ghurye’ as ‘Ghunye’, A R Desai as ‘A K Desai’, ‘Nussbaum’ as ‘Nusbaut’ and many more. The Hindi translation of the questions was framed as if translated by a 5-year-old. Students could not even understand the questions, let alone attempt them.”“Half the time went in literally making sense of what nonsense was scribbled in the name of a paper like NET, which is literally supposed to make you eligible for Asst Prof/PhD admissions. Is this some joke? Call the profs who framed this paper to sit and attempt,” she wrote.Another X user alleged that the paper was “filled with spelling errors, arbitrary questions, and the omission of many foundational sociological thinkers in favour of content that appeared outside the prescribed syllabus”. The user also questioned a question asking candidates to arrange former education ministers in chronological order, arguing that it did not meaningfully assess critical thinking in sociology.The complaints come even as the UGC-NET English paper has drawn criticism after 67 of 150 questions were found to be identical to questions asked in the 2024 exam, with the sequence of answer options also reportedly unchanged.NTA did not respond to TOI’s queries on the matter till the filing of this report.
