NEW DELHI, June 17: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP led Central Government, accusing it of failing to uphold accountability in the wake of recurring examination controversies and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Congress leader’s remarks came days before the scheduled NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21, amid continuing concerns over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations conducted across the country. Kharge also criticised the government’s decision to temporarily restrict access to the Telegram messaging platform, claiming the move reflected a reactive approach rather than addressing the root causes of examination-related issues.
In a post shared on social media platform X, Kharge alleged that the Centre was attempting to manage the fallout from repeated controversies instead of fixing systemic flaws in the examination process. He said that the future of millions of students had been adversely affected due to repeated disruptions and questioned why responsibility had not been fixed at the highest levels of the Education Ministry.
According to the Congress chief, measures such as monitoring digital platforms, increasing security arrangements, and deploying additional resources before examinations do not address the larger concerns surrounding transparency and credibility. He argued that the government must focus on restoring confidence among students and their families rather than relying solely on administrative interventions.
Kharge further claimed that examination related controversies over the past decade had created uncertainty among job seekers and students preparing for competitive tests. He alleged that repeated incidents had undermined trust in recruitment and admission processes, affecting candidates who spend years preparing for crucial examinations.
The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said that many aspirants and their families have made significant financial and personal sacrifices to pursue educational and employment opportunities. He highlighted concerns raised by students who have faced delays, cancellations, and re-examinations, stating that such developments place immense pressure on young people seeking stable careers.
Referring to reports of distress among aspirants, Kharge said several families have suffered emotional and economic hardships due to prolonged uncertainty surrounding recruitment and entrance examinations. He stressed that the government must take concrete steps to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in all future examinations.
The Congress president also questioned the Centre’s communication strategy on the issue, alleging that concerns voiced by students and opposition parties had not received adequate attention. He urged the government to initiate comprehensive reforms aimed at preventing irregularities and strengthening institutional mechanisms responsible for conducting examinations.
The controversy has intensified ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination, which is expected to be conducted under enhanced security arrangements. Authorities have announced a series of precautionary measures to ensure the integrity of the examination process and prevent any potential misuse of digital communication platforms.
Political debate over examination management has remained a prominent issue in recent months, with opposition parties repeatedly demanding greater accountability from the government. The ruling BJP, however, has maintained that multiple corrective measures have been introduced to safeguard examinations and protect the interests of students.
As preparations continue for the upcoming re-test, the issue remains at the centre of national political discourse, with student welfare, examination transparency, and administrative accountability emerging as key points of contention between the government and the opposition.