Shocking NEET UG 2026 Leak: 89 Scandals Exposed!

Congress Demands JPC Probe and Dharmendra Pradhan Resignation Over NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak Scandal: Students Demand Justice

Congress Intensifies Attack on BJP Government Over NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak

New Delhi: In a sharp escalation of its criticism against the BJP-led Central government, the Congress party on Wednesday demanded the immediate constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate alleged irregularities and the paper leak in the NEET (UG) 2026 examination. The opposition party held the ruling dispensation squarely responsible for the systemic failure that has shattered the dreams of lakhs of aspirants.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) recently cancelled the NEET UG 2026 exam, held on May 3, following widespread allegations of a major paper leak. This decision has triggered nationwide protests, student frustration, and renewed scrutiny of the examination system’s integrity. Nearly 23 lakh students had registered for the exam, one of India’s largest competitive tests.

Indian Youth Congress (IYC) national president Uday Bhanu Chib addressed a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi, demanding accountability. “We demand that the Education Minister acknowledge his mistake and resign immediately. The government should provide compensation to the students. A JPC should be constituted to look into the NEET paper leak. We will fight together against this injustice and ensure justice for the students,” Chib asserted.

Decades of Hard Work Ruined: Students’ Pain Highlighted

Chib emphasized the immense dedication students invest in preparing for NEET UG 2026. Aspirants study day and night for years, often sacrificing social life, hobbies, and family time, with the sole aim of securing a seat in prestigious medical colleges. A paper leak not only invalidates their efforts but also erodes trust in the entire education system.

“In a decade, 89 paper leaks were reported, and retests conducted 48 times. This means the government has completely shirked its responsibility toward the children. If we put ourselves in the place of those children, we might be able to feel their pain,” Chib said, referring to the tenure of the BJP-led government.

This latest controversy comes against the backdrop of repeated NEET scandals. From the 2015 AIPMT cancellation by the Supreme Court due to a massive leak, to the 2024 NEET UG row involving arrests in Bihar, Jharkhand, and other states, paper leaks have plagued the system. In 2024, allegations of leaked papers, grace marks discrepancies, and high-score anomalies led to Supreme Court interventions and CBI probes. The 2026 incident, reportedly originating from networks in Rajasthan’s Sikar and involving multi-state rackets, has once again exposed vulnerabilities.

BJP Government Accused of Systemic Failure

Chib lambasted the BJP for failing to curb paper leaks despite promises of reform. “Students appear in exams with hard work, but when a paper leaks, their trust in the system is shattered. The BJP government is responsible for this failure,” he stated. He further alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who claims to resolve international conflicts, remains “compromised” and unable to stop domestic paper leaks.

The IYC chief targeted the National Testing Agency (NTA), established to conduct major exams transparently. Since its inception, the NTA has faced continuous controversies, including leaks, technical glitches, and questions over its auditing and vendor selection processes. “Who audits the NTA? On what basis is work given to private vendors?” Chib questioned.

He claimed that prior to the NTA’s centralization, universities and state governments conducted exams more reliably. The shift, according to critics, has pushed students’ futures into “darkness.” Chib accused the system of favoring the rich, allowing them to secure seats and jobs through alleged nexuses, while ruining opportunities for underprivileged students. He alleged that the “entire nexus of paper leaks is being run by BJP people.”

NSUI Joins the Chorus: Protests Across the Country

Echoing these sentiments, National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) national president Vinod Jakhar highlighted the deep frustration among students. “Cancelling the NEET paper is not a solution. Such an incident raises serious questions about our education system,” Jakhar said.

“Our students have already realised that the Modi government has failed. There is immense frustration among students regarding this. NSUI will join students across the country in protesting against NEET, because this is an extremely serious issue that will determine the future of the nation,” he added. Jakhar demanded strict action against paper leak mafias and a crackdown on coaching mafias.

Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders have amplified these demands, linking the issue to broader governance failures and calling for accountability from the Education Minister.

What is NEET UG and Why Does the Leak Matter So Much?

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET UG, is India’s single largest medical entrance examination. It serves as the gateway for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical courses in government and private colleges across the country. Conducted by the NTA, it tests knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology.

With over 20 lakh applicants annually, NEET UG 2026’s scale makes any irregularity catastrophic. A single rank can determine whether a student gets a government seat (often subsidized) or is forced to pay exorbitant private college fees. For many rural and economically weaker students, it represents the only path to social mobility through a stable medical career.

The pressure is immense: students join coaching hubs like those in Kota and Sikar from Class 11, enduring 12-16 hour study days. Families invest lakhs in fees, hostels, and materials. A leak doesn’t just delay the exam—it causes mental trauma, financial loss from wasted preparation, and lost academic years. Protests have erupted in multiple cities, with students demanding re-examination under foolproof conditions and compensation.

History of NEET and NTA Controversies: A Pattern Emerges

NEET’s troubled history dates back to its precursor, AIPMT. The 2015 leak led to a full cancellation and re-test ordered by the Supreme Court. Subsequent years saw impersonation rackets, solver gangs, and leaks in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

The NTA, formed to bring professionalism, has instead faced backlash for:

• Repeated technical glitches in JEE and other exams.
• Alleged favoritism in vendor contracts.
• Inadequate security for question papers.
• Lack of transparency in grace marks and result processing.

In NEET UG 2024, leaks from Patna and Hazaribagh led to arrests, CBI involvement, and massive protests. The 2026 case reportedly involved a “guess paper” circulating via WhatsApp and Telegram, matching many actual questions, traced to PG accommodations and coaching networks in Rajasthan. Arrests include individuals linked to local political elements.

Critics argue that outsourcing to private players without robust oversight has created a lucrative black market for leaks, where papers are sold for lakhs of rupees.

Broader Implications: Education System Under Threat

The repeated scandals raise fundamental questions about equity in Indian education. Does the current model favor those who can afford expensive coaching and “contacts”? How can poor and rural students compete when the playing field is allegedly rigged?

Left parties have joined calls for scrapping or reforming the NTA, advocating decentralized, state-level conduct with stronger accountability.

Psychological impact on youth is severe. Reports of anxiety, depression, and even suicides linked to exam pressures have surfaced in the past. The 2026 cancellation adds another layer of uncertainty, with re-test dates yet to be finalized (expected within 7-10 days, no extra fees).

Parents and students in cities like Delhi, Patna, and Sikar have expressed disappointment, citing lost savings and shattered hopes.

Political Fallout and Demands

The Congress and allies are framing this as a failure of “Modi’s guarantee” on education and youth empowerment. Demands include:

1. Immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
2. Constitution of a JPC for a thorough probe.
3. Compensation for affected students.
4. Crackdown on coaching mafias and leak networks.
5. Long-term reforms in NTA functioning, including better auditing and security protocols.

The government has ordered a CBI probe, but opposition leaders insist this is insufficient without parliamentary oversight.

Way Forward: Reforms Needed for Trust Restoration

To prevent future NEET UG paper leaks, experts suggest:

• Digital encryption and multi-layer security for papers.
• Use of AI for anomaly detection in results.
• Limiting private vendor roles or stricter vetting.
• Hybrid conduct models with state involvement.
• Support systems for mental health of aspirants.
• Transparent grievance redressal.

As protests continue, the NEET UG 2026 saga underscores the urgent need for systemic overhaul. The future of India’s healthcare workforce—and the dreams of millions—hangs in the balance. Students and parents await concrete action beyond cancellations and probes.

The Congress party’s aggressive stance has galvanized opposition unity, keeping the pressure on the Central government. Whether this leads to meaningful reforms or remains political rhetoric will shape public trust in competitive examinations for years to come.