The Congress on Saturday (May 16, 2026) demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-UG paper leak row, with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleging that the scandal was the result of a “money-making racket” involving people linked to the ruling establishment.
In a video statement posted on X, Mr. Gandhi alleged that the leaked NEET question paper had been circulated on WhatsApp two days before the examination was held, destroying years of hard work of 22 lakh students. He also accused the Narendra Modi-led government of “running away” from accountability.
“The Prime Minister should immediately seek the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan ji or sack him. And those who are guilty of the paper leak should be in jails,” Mr. Gandhi said.
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“This is a nexus between the people belonging to the RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh], BJP and the Vice-Chancellors of universities who owe their allegiance to the RSS. It’s a result of the nexus to make money,” he added.
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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that under the BJP government, “Amrit Kaal” was proving to be “Mrit Kaal” (era of death) for students preparing for competitive examinations, referring to reports of suicides by NEET aspirants following the controversy.
“According to reports, several students have committed suicide due to the trauma caused by the NEET paper leak scandal. Ritik Mishra from Lakhimpur Kheri, 20-year-old Anshika Pandey from Delhi, Pradeep Meghwal from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, and a student from Bengaluru residing in Goa — all have taken this tragic, suicidal step,” Mr. Kharge said in a post on X.
Mr. Kharge alleged that more than 90 examination papers had been leaked during the Modi government’s tenure, adversely affecting over 90 million students and their families. He also accused the BJP of patronising a “paper-leak mafia” that was undermining the credibility of public examinations.
“The Union Education Minister must resign immediately,” Mr. Kharge added.
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh also attacked the government, alleging that the Education Ministry’s “incompetence is matched only by its Minister’s arrogance”.
Sharing a media report on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education’s recommendations on the National Testing Agency (NTA), Mr. Ramesh said the government had failed to heed repeated warnings on examination reforms.
“The Modi government’s education ecosystem — populated by third-rate academic mediocrities — has proven itself to be supremely incompetent, politicised, and corrupt over the last few years,” he alleged.
Mr. Ramesh cited controversies ranging from the NCERT textbook row, the UGC’s draft regulations on Vice-Chancellor appointments, the NAAC bribery scandal, the ICHR controversy, vacancies in higher educational institutions and paper leaks.
He also criticised Mr. Pradhan for allegedly dismissing the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education on the ground that it included Opposition members.
“The Prime Minister takes great pride and gives great publicity to his annual Pariksha pe Charcha extravaganza. What the need of the hour is a ‘Pariksha ki Samiksha’ [review of exam]. The Education Minister doesn’t appear to be cut out for the task,” Mr. Ramesh said.
The remarks came a day after Mr. Pradhan announced that the NEET-UG re-examination would be held on June 21 and that the medical entrance examination would be conducted in a computer-based format from next year as part of reforms following allegations of irregularities.
The NEET-UG, held on May 3, was cancelled following allegations of irregularities in the examination process.
In a post on X along with the video, Mr. Gandhi said, “2.2 million NEET aspirants have been betrayed. Yet, Modi ji has not uttered a single word. Remove Dharmendra Pradhan ji immediately, or take personal accountability. Modi ji, SACK Dharmendra Pradhan ji NOW.”
Mr. Pradhan on Friday (May 16, 2026) announced that the NEET-UG re-examination would be held on June 21 and said the medical entrance exam would be computer-based from next year onwards as part of reforms in view of allegations of irregularities linked to it.
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Pradhan said students’ future remained the government’s topmost priority, adding that there would be “zero tolerance” for any irregularities found in the conduct of the NEET-UG.
Strict action was being taken, he said.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)- Undergraduate held on May 3 was cancelled following allegations of irregularities in the examination process.
Published – May 16, 2026 07:06 pm IST
