Congress Targets PM, Education Minister Over Alleged NEET Exam Cover Up

NEW DELHI, May 22: The Congress on Friday intensified its attack on the Centre over the ongoing NEET-UG 2026 controversy, accusing the government of attempting to conceal alleged examination irregularities and demanding accountability from both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Education Minister.

The opposition party expressed shock over statements reportedly made by senior officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA), who informed a Parliamentary Committee that the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper had not been leaked. Congress leaders described the claim as misleading and alleged that evidence circulating among students suggested otherwise.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh claimed that a “guess paper” containing several questions similar to those asked in the actual examination had been circulating well before the test was conducted.

According to the party, the issue raises serious concerns regarding the integrity and transparency of one of India’s largest medical entrance examinations.

Congress Questions NTA’s Stand

In a sharp criticism of the testing agency, the Congress alleged that the NTA has repeatedly failed to ensure a fair examination process. The party claimed that despite growing allegations and public concern, authorities were attempting to downplay the seriousness of the issue.

Ramesh alleged that since the NTA’s establishment in 2018, the government had failed to curb examination-related malpractice and had instead allowed “paper leak networks” to flourish unchecked.

He further argued that if examination material resembling the final paper was available before the exam date, it raised unavoidable questions about the security of the process.

The Congress leader also accused the government of previously trying to minimise irregularities linked to NEET-UG 2024, warning that failure to take strict corrective measures had contributed to renewed controversy this year.

Rajasthan Hotspots Again Under Scanner

The opposition pointed to Rajasthan’s Sikar district, which had surfaced in earlier examination fraud investigations, alleging that similar regions have once again emerged in the latest controversy.

Congress leaders maintained that repeated allegations from the same locations indicate deeper structural failures in the conduct and monitoring of national-level examinations.

The party said students and families across the country were losing confidence in competitive examinations due to repeated reports of irregularities, delays and alleged paper leaks.

Questions Raised Over UGC-NET Probe

The Congress also referred to the ongoing developments related to the UGC-NET 2024 examination case.

The party noted that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had reportedly filed a closure report stating that no major irregularities were found in the cancelled examination. However, the matter came under scrutiny after a Delhi court sought a written clarification from the agency regarding its findings.

Ramesh claimed that the CBI seeking additional time in court had further raised doubts over the effectiveness and seriousness of the investigation process.

“National Trauma Agency”: Congress Targets NTA

Using strong words against the examination body, the Congress said the NTA had transformed from a testing authority into what it termed a “National Trauma Agency” for students.

The party alleged that lakhs of aspirants preparing for highly competitive examinations were being subjected to uncertainty, stress and repeated controversies surrounding exam management.

It also criticised institutions functioning under the Education Ministry, including the CBSE, NCERT and Central Universities, alleging that administrative efficiency and professional standards had weakened in recent years.

Parliamentary Panel Grills NTA Officials

The controversy gained further attention after members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports reportedly questioned senior NTA officials during a meeting held on Thursday.

Sources said several MPs asked the agency to explain what safeguards had been introduced to strengthen examination security and prevent future paper leak allegations.

During the meeting, NTA Director General officials reportedly maintained that the NEET-UG 2026 paper was not leaked through the agency’s systems and stated that the matter remains under investigation by the CBI.

The latest political confrontation over the NEET-UG 2026 controversy has once again placed examination reforms and accountability at the centre of national debate, with students, parents and educational institutions closely watching further developments.