New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defended the government’s response to the NEET paper leak controversy, saying authorities acted swiftly against those responsible while calling for the strictest possible punishment as student protests and political pressure continue to grow across India.
Speaking at a meeting of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Tuesday, the Prime Minister described examination paper leaks as a national issue rather than a problem confined to a single state or the central government. He stressed that protecting the integrity of competitive examinations requires cooperation across political parties and institutions.
Government Highlights Swift Action
According to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Prime Minister Modi said the government moved quickly after reports of irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) emerged.
The government said 13 people have been arrested in connection with the alleged paper leak and legal proceedings have already begun.
Modi also emphasized that conducting the re-examination without significantly delaying the admission process was a priority to prevent uncertainty for millions of students preparing for medical education.
He urged legal authorities to ensure those involved in examination fraud receive the toughest possible punishment to discourage similar crimes in the future.
Student Protests Continue
The Prime Minister’s remarks came a day after large student demonstrations in New Delhi demanding accountability over the examination controversy.
Hundreds of protesters gathered again at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, continuing their campaign after clashes with police during protests near Parliament.
The demonstrations have been led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a student-led movement that has gained significant attention on social media in recent months.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging that the government has failed to protect the credibility of India’s competitive examination system.
Police and Protesters Offer Conflicting Accounts
Delhi Police said 178 people were injured during Monday’s demonstrations, including 118 police personnel, after clashes broke out as protesters attempted to march toward Parliament.
Authorities accused sections of the crowd of violent behavior, while protest organizers claimed police used excessive force against peaceful student demonstrators.
Several student leaders vowed to continue protests until stronger action is taken over the examination scandal.
Opposition Steps Up Pressure
The controversy has also intensified political confrontation during Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the government’s handling of both the examination controversy and the police response, calling for a detailed parliamentary discussion on the issue.
Opposition parties have demanded greater accountability from the government, arguing that repeated examination irregularities have undermined public confidence in India’s recruitment and education systems.
Confidence in Examination System Under Scrutiny
The NEET controversy has affected more than 2.2 million medical aspirants, many of whom were required to take a fresh examination after the original test was cancelled following allegations of a question paper leak.
The issue follows other recent examination-related controversies, further raising concerns about the security and transparency of India’s competitive testing process.
Addressing NDA leaders, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the achievements of India’s youth, including recent developments in the country’s space sector, while calling for a “foolproof system” to prevent future examination leaks and protect students’ interests.
