- NEET paper leak issue sparks political storm as Rahul targets Centre over exam failures
New Delhi, May 17: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Government over repeated paper leak controversies, questioning why Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had not been removed despite what he described as repeated failures under his tenure.
In a post on X, Gandhi referred to the NEET paper leak controversies and accused the Government of failing to protect the future of students. He questioned the Prime Minister’s silence on the issue and asked why no political accountability had been fixed even after repeated irregularities in major national examinations.
Rahul Gandhi said that in the case of NEET 2024, the paper was allegedly leaked, the examination was not cancelled, the Minister did not resign, the CBI was asked to investigate and a committee was formed. Referring to NEET 2026, he said the paper was again allegedly leaked, the examination was cancelled, yet the Minister had still not resigned, while the CBI was once again investigating and another committee was likely to be formed.
“Mr Modi, the country is asking you some questions. Why are paper leaks happening repeatedly? Why are you silent time and again on this Pariksha pe Charcha? Why are you not dismissing the Education Minister who keeps failing repeatedly?” Gandhi asked, using the hashtag “Sack Pradhan.”
The National Testing Agency cancelled the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Undergraduate, held on May 3 following allegations of irregularities. The re-examination has been scheduled for June 21. The issue has triggered strong political reactions, with the opposition accusing the Government of failing to ensure fairness, transparency and credibility in the examination system.
Rahul Gandhi also referred to the Prime Minister’s “Pariksha Pe Charcha” initiative, under which the Prime Minister interacts with students, parents and teachers to address examination-related stress and promote confidence among students. Gandhi said the Prime Minister should now answer students on the repeated failure to conduct examinations in a secure and transparent manner.
The Congress leader demanded that the Prime Minister should either remove Dharmendra Pradhan from the Education Ministry or take responsibility for the repeated lapses himself. He said the hard work of lakhs of aspirants had been affected due to alleged irregularities and accused the ruling dispensation of damaging the credibility of India’s education system.
In a video statement, Gandhi alleged that the question paper was being circulated on WhatsApp before the examination and claimed that the Education Minister had distanced himself from responsibility. He also accused the Government of ignoring recommendations made by a Parliamentary Committee, alleging that the suggestions were dismissed merely because opposition members were part of the panel.
Rahul Gandhi further alleged that the education system had been weakened by what he called the “BJP-RSS nexus,” claiming that the ruling establishment had placed its people in institutions, universities and academic bodies. He said all those involved in the alleged paper leak should be identified and sent to jail.
The Congress leader said the issue was not limited to one examination or one batch of students, but was directly connected with the credibility of the country’s examination system. He said repeated paper leaks create fear, frustration and mistrust among students who spend years preparing for competitive examinations with discipline and hope.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had earlier announced that the NEET-UG re-examination would be held on June 21. He also said that the medical entrance examination would be conducted in computer-based mode from next year in view of the irregularities linked to the present controversy.