Shinde counters Rahul Gandhi over Maharashtra TET paper leak, says ‘CET, TET papers leaked thrice during MVA tenure’

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has rejected Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the state’s handling of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak, claiming police dismantled the alleged leak network even before the examination could be compromised. He also accused the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of witnessing multiple recruitment exam paper leaks.

The exchange comes after Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that nearly six lakh TET aspirants had been left without clarity after the examination was cancelled following an alleged question paper leak. He said the state government had not announced a revised schedule even weeks after the cancellation.

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Shinde says police acted before TET exam

Addressing reporters, Shinde said authorities moved swiftly against those allegedly involved in the leak.

“Even before the TET paper leaked, the Police nabbed the entire chain immediately and fractured the entire nexus. Those who mess with the country’s future will not be spared. I want to remind Rahul Gandhi that under the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s tenure, CET, TET, and Health (department recruitment) papers leaked thrice,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the state government would ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible.

“Such strict action will be taken against the TET paper leak that no one else would dare to do something like this again,” he said.

Shinde also criticised Rahul Gandhi over his public remarks on the issue.

“Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition, but where is he? He is somewhere abroad. He goes missing abroad whenever a tragedy (like Wayanad) occurs, and hurls abuses at PM Modi there. Is this not an insult to the country?… He should not act irresponsibly. I strongly condemn him,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi raises concerns over six lakh candidates

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi accused the Maharashtra government of leaving around six lakh candidates in uncertainty after cancelling the TET examination.

In a post on X, he wrote: “Maharashtra TET paper leaked, exam cancelled. 6 lakh candidates left in limbo. Two weeks have passed, no trace of a new date.”

“The leakers roam free, the system remains spotless, and the one paying the price is the one who toiled with honesty,” he added.

Gandhi said aspiring teachers who had spent years preparing for the examination, paid fees and travelled to examination centres were now waiting without any clarity.

“These are the country’s working and future teachers, the ones who hold India’s future in their hands – these are the very people who prepared year after year, filled out forms, paid fees, travelled to far-flung centers. And now they’re just waiting, without a date, without answers,” he wrote.

He urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to announce a fresh examination schedule, take strict action against those responsible for the alleged leak and provide age relaxation to candidates affected by the cancellation.

Why the Maharashtra TET was postponed

The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) postponed the TET, which had been scheduled for June 28 at 1,028 centres across the state, after an alleged question paper leak surfaced during a police investigation in Bhiwandi.

In a public notice, the Council said confidential inputs received on the morning of the examination indicated that certain individuals in Bhiwandi were allegedly in possession of information related to the TET question paper despite additional security measures introduced after irregularities reported during the NEET 2026 examination.

(With inputs from ANI)