Students Protest Outside Education Ministry Over Exam Leaks; Demand Pradhan’s Resignation
New Delhi: Angry students and activists converged outside the Union Ministry of Education on Monday, protesting a string of national exam controversies and pressing for accountability after the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Demonstrators, led by the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and backed by opposition parties, accused the government of repeatedly mishandling high-stakes tests. Police detained some protesters as tensions flared, as reported by DNA.
“We were here protesting against the (paper) leak that has been happening. Why is the government not demanding the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan? We will not let this government play with our future,” protesters told reporters. The outcry follows the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 after the leak; the exam has been rescheduled for June 21.
MPs Unite For Exam Reforms
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, chaired by Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh, met Monday to examine NEET-related issues and the role of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Singh said the panel — cutting across party lines — was united in pushing for systemic improvements. “The fact is, on this issue, regardless of which party they belong to, all the members are unanimous in their stance, whether the matter concerns NEET or CBSE. We are not engaging in this discussion along party lines. We are focusing on how we can bring about improvements to this entire system,” he said.
Digvijaya: Pradhan Must Go
Singh also attacked Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s handling of the situation, saying the prime minister had been forced to step in. “Due to Dharmendra Pradhan’s incompetence, the prime minister himself has been compelled to take matters into his own hands. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should either tender his resignation or he should be dismissed. We are confident that since the Prime Minister himself has taken charge of this matter, it will be brought to a successful conclusion in every respect,” he said.
Nationwide Anxiety Grows
The NEET-UG 2026 leak has stirred widespread alarm, prompting students and politicians to question the credibility of the exam system and demand reforms at the NTA. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested several suspects in its inquiry. CBI director Praveen Sood and NTA director-general Abhishek Singh attended a Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting on Government Assurances on Friday to brief members on the probe’s progress.
