NEET Paper Leak: PM Modi Calls It a National Responsibility to Stop Exam Leaks, Seeks Stronger and Fairer System
New Delhi, July 21: Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET paper leak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed that preventing examination paper leaks is not just the government’s responsibility but a national duty. Addressing the issue during the NDA Parliamentary Party’s ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting, the Prime Minister called for strict action against those involved and urged all stakeholders to work together to restore students’ trust in the examination system.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, while briefing the media after the meeting, quoted the Prime Minister as saying that those responsible for the NEET paper leak must face the strictest possible punishment. PM Modi also emphasised the need to create a completely foolproof examination system to ensure that the hard work and future of millions of students are protected.
According to Rijiju, the Prime Minister highlighted that safeguarding the integrity of competitive examinations is a collective responsibility. He appealed to governments, institutions and all concerned authorities to work together so that incidents of paper leaks are prevented in the future.
PM Modi also used the occasion to urge NDA allies to remain united during the ongoing Parliament session and support important legislative work. At the same time, he appealed to opposition parties to cooperate constructively, saying that despite political differences, every Member of Parliament shares the responsibility of securing a better future for the country’s youth.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come at a time when protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations have intensified across the country. On Monday, thousands of students attempted to march towards Parliament demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak and other examination-related issues. The protest, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), was stopped by police, with reports of tear gas, lathi-charge and several detentions.
The controversy erupted after allegations surfaced that the NEET question paper had been leaked before the examination. Following widespread criticism and investigations, the government cancelled the original exam and conducted a fresh test to ensure fairness for lakhs of aspiring medical students.
Speaking about the government’s response, Kiren Rijiju said PM Modi noted that authorities acted immediately after the allegations emerged. Investigations were launched without delay, several arrests were made, and swift legal action was initiated against those allegedly involved in the paper leak. The Prime Minister also pointed out that the re-examination was organised promptly so that students’ academic future would not suffer because of the misconduct of a few individuals.
The NEET controversy has also been accompanied by criticism over alleged issues in the CBSE online evaluation system, where several students claimed they received incorrect marks or results were assigned to the wrong candidates. These incidents have further intensified concerns about transparency and reliability in the country’s examination process.
Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been observing a 21-day hunger strike in support of protesting students, was hospitalised over the weekend. He later announced that he would continue his fast from the hospital, alleging that peaceful protesters were being treated harshly.
As Parliament’s monsoon session continues, the NEET issue is expected to remain a major topic of discussion, with students and parents across the country closely watching the government’s next steps. PM Modi’s message underscored that protecting the credibility of examinations is essential for preserving the aspirations of millions of young Indians and ensuring that merit remains the foundation of the country’s education system.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
