Post by Anushka Sahu

An Open Letter to the National Testing Agency (NTA) Yesterday, I appeared for the UGC-NET examination, we walk into the examination hall carrying hopes, hard work, and countless sacrifices. The least we expect is an environment where we can perform to the best of our abilities. Instead, many of us were made to do a three-hour high-stakes examination in a packed computer lab with no air conditioning, despite Delhi recording temperatures of nearly 42°C. There were only a few fans and coolers that did little except make the room more humid. As students started complaining, we were told that the invigilators could not do anything. I understand that the invigilators were not at fault. But someone has to take responsibility. Environmental conditions are not just "inconveniences." Heat, humidity, poor ventilation, and physical discomfort significantly affect attention, concentration, decision-making, working memory, and cognitive performance. These are well-established findings in psychological research. For the first two hours, I kept telling myself, "Don't let this affect you. Give your 100%." But in the last hour, my body simply gave up. I struggled to breathe. I couldn't concentrate. I wasn't thinking about the questions anymore. I just wanted to get out of that room. I wasn't the only one. Many students looked visibly exhausted. Some felt nauseated. No student should have to choose between enduring physical distress and attempting a career-defining examination. We spend months preparing for these exams. We invest our time, money, and emotional energy. We pay substantial application fees. Is it too much to expect basic infrastructure that allows us to perform fairly? An examination is meant to assess knowledge, not heat tolerance. NTA, I hope you understand that fairness is not only about preventing malpractice. It is also about providing equal testing conditions for every candidate. These are not luxuries; they are basic requirements for a fair assessment. And as for the paper... Let's not even get into that today. I genuinely hope this feedback reaches someone who can make a difference, because no student deserves to experience this.