Students in Karnataka Rally Against NEET Paper Leak, Demand Minister’s Resignation
On Thursday, a large gathering of students converged near the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mandya, Karnataka, to voice their anger over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG). The protest, organized by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), saw demonstrators targeting the BJP-led central government over the controversy surrounding the leaked question paper.
Chanting slogans and carrying placards, the students expressed deep frustration over what they described as a grave injustice caused by the leak. Many demanded that NEET be scrapped for admissions and replaced with the state-conducted Common Entrance Test (CET). The crowd was vocal in its call for accountability, with repeated chants of “We want CET, not NEET” echoing through the area.
Protesters Hold Centre Responsible, Seek Resignation
The demonstrators did not hold back in their criticism of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him morally accountable for the repeated examination lapses. They argued that the central government has failed to conduct leak-proof exams, questioning its ability to safeguard national interests if it cannot protect the integrity of a single test.
Some protesters went further, alleging that the government’s negligence has contributed to distress among students, with some even pointing to tragic outcomes. They urged the Centre to allow Karnataka to conduct admissions through its own CET, calling on authorities to stop what they termed “playing with students’ lives.”
The protest saw participation from several key figures, including NSUI district president Manjunath, Mandya District Congress Committee (MDCC) working president Chidambar MS, state vice president Rafeeq Ali, and Sathanur Mahesh, alongside a large number of student supporters.
This demonstration highlighted the growing discontent among students over the recurring issues in NEET administration, with many calling for greater transparency and a return to state-level entrance examinations.
Background: Exam Cancelled and Rescheduled
The NEET-UG 2026 examination, originally scheduled for May 3, was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak. The central government subsequently ordered a re-test, which was conducted on June 21 in pen-and-paper mode under heightened security. Investigations into the alleged leak are still underway.
In a related development, sources told ANI that members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education suggested on Wednesday that NEET-UG should be held in multiple phases. The recommendation aims to ease the “logistical burden” of conducting the country’s largest entrance examination in a single day.
Committee chairman Mukul Wasnik and other members praised the conduct of the re-test, describing it as “secure and well-managed.” However, the ongoing controversy continues to fuel demands for systemic reforms in the examination process.
