The NEET paper leak controversy crossed an important threshold on Wednesday, evolving from a dispute over examination integrity into a broader political, parliamentary and law-and-order challenge. What began as protests over alleged irregularities has now triggered a direct confrontation between the government and the Opposition, drawn Parliament into the centre of the debate, prompted a nationwide security review, and widened the conversation to broader concerns over the credibility of India’s examination system.
Both the BJP and the Congress sought to shape the narrative, accusing each other of politicising students’ concerns while claiming to represent their interests. At the same time, the Centre signalled its willingness to debate the issue in Parliament even as protests intensified across several states and turned violent in parts of Delhi. Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike and the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) agitation continued to pile pressure on the government.
Here are the key developments that defined the latest phase of the NEET controversy:
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Centre agrees to Parliament debate on NEET: The government agreed to hold a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue in Parliament and said it was prepared for a debate under any rule and for any duration decided by the Opposition.
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Rahul Gandhi says education system has failed students: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabaha, Rahul Gandhi, claimed that 152 alleged paper leaks over the past decade had affected 7.5 crore students, with not a single conviction secured so far. Calling the examination system “rigged”, he said quality education had become increasingly unaffordable for ordinary families.
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BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of ‘selective politics’: BJP president JP Nadda accused Rahul Gandhi of selectively highlighting alleged paper leaks under BJP governments while ignoring similar incidents in Congress- and Opposition-ruled states. He said every allegation cited by the Leader of the Opposition would be investigated, and the government would place the facts before the nation.
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Sonam Wangchuk offers to end hunger strike: Wangchuk said he would end his 25-day indefinite fast if the Centre gave an unequivocal assurance that no punitive or retaliatory action would be taken against students and youth who participated in the protests.
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CJP insists on neutral venue for talks: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) reiterated that it would hold talks with the government only at a neutral venue, even as its agitation spread to several states and clashes were reported in places including Bihar.
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Govet likely to retain Dharmendra Pradhan: Despite mounting Opposition pressure, senior government sources indicated that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was likely to remain in the Cabinet, with the leadership believing he could not be held directly responsible for the alleged NEET paper leak.
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BJP defends Centre’s handling of protests: BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said the government had remained open to dialogue throughout the agitation, accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation and politicising the student movement, and rejected claims that India’s examination system had collapsed.
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Centre reviews security as protests spread nationwide: The Centre conducted a high-level security review as CJP-led protests expanded across several states. According to top sources, the Intelligence Bureau chief met state DGPs and senior CAPF officers, while states were asked to remain prepared for any law-and-order situation. Maharashtra reported the highest number of protests, followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Haryana.
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Delhi protest turns violent; five police personnel injured: The agitation escalated in the national capital after protesters allegedly moved from Jantar Mantar to Tolstoy Marg and hurled stones and bottles at police personnel. At least five Delhi Police personnel, including ACP Connaught Place Vivek Bhagat, were injured before the Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force restored order using limited force and tear gas shells.
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Published By:
Priyanka Kumari
Published On:
Jul 23, 2026 00:00 IST
