Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday intensified his attack on the Narendra Modi government over repeated question paper leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), accusing the Centre of failing to protect the integrity of one of India’s most crucial examinations and questioning why no action had been taken against the education minister.
In a strongly-worded message posted on his WhatsApp channel, Gandhi drew parallels between the handling of the NEET 2024 and NEET 2026 controversies, both of which were marred by allegations of large-scale paper leaks and irregularities.
“NEET 2024: The paper was leaked. The exam was not cancelled. The minister did not resign. The CBI launched an investigation. A committee was formed,” Gandhi wrote.
“NEET 2026: The paper was leaked again. The exam was cancelled. Yet again, the minister did not resign. The CBI is once again investigating. Another committee will now be formed.”
The Congress leader then directly addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding answers over what he described as repeated failures in the examination system.
“Modi ji, the country is asking you some questions — answer them! Why are paper leaks happening repeatedly? Why do you remain silent every time this ‘discussion on exams’ comes up? And why are you not dismissing the Education Minister despite repeated failures,” Gandhi asked.
Gandhi concluded the post with the hashtag “#SackPradhan,” targeting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has faced mounting criticism from opposition parties and student groups over the recurring controversies surrounding national-level examinations.
The remarks came amid fresh uproar over NEET 2026, which was conducted earlier this month but later cancelled following reports of widespread paper leaks across multiple states. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently probing the matter, while pressure has mounted on the government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) to restore confidence in the examination process.
The latest controversy has revived memories of the NEET 2024 row, when allegations of paper leaks and irregularities sparked nationwide protests by students and parents. Although the government then ordered a CBI investigation and constituted a high-level committee headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to recommend examination reforms, the test itself was not cancelled. Opposition parties had demanded Pradhan’s resignation at the time, but the minister remained in office.
NEET, the country’s largest medical entrance examination, is the gateway for admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses and sees participation from more than 2.4 million aspirants annually. Controversies surrounding the exam have triggered growing concerns over the credibility of recruitment and testing systems, with students alleging that repeated leaks unfairly damage the prospects of genuine candidates.
The Congress party has increasingly turned paper leaks into a major political issue, linking them to broader concerns over youth unemployment, governance failures and institutional credibility. Gandhi’s reference to “Pariksha Pe Charcha” — the Prime Minister’s annual interaction with students on examination stress and preparation — was seen as a pointed political jab aimed at highlighting what the opposition calls the government’s failure to ensure fair examinations.
The Modi government has consistently maintained that it has “zero tolerance” for exam malpractices. Following the 2024 controversy, Parliament passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, which prescribes penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 1 crore for organised cheating and paper leak rackets.
Despite the tougher law, the cancellation of NEET 2026 has intensified scrutiny of the NTA and the Education Ministry. Student organisations and opposition leaders continue to demand greater accountability, while lakhs of candidates now await fresh examination dates expected to be announced by the agency in the coming weeks.