Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday intensified his attack on the Centre over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent on repeated examination leaks.
The remarks came amid a widening Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 question paper.
Rahul Gandhi Questions PM Modi’s Silence
Rahul Gandhi compared the handling of the NEET 2024 controversy with the latest 2026 leak case, claiming that the same pattern of investigations and committees was being repeated without accountability.
“NEET 2024: Paper leaked. Exam not cancelled. Minister did not resign. CBI investigation. Committee formed. NEET 2026: Paper leaked. Exam cancelled. Minister still did not resign. CBI investigating again. Another committee will be formed,” Gandhi wrote on X.
The Congress MP also directly questioned PM Modi over the repeated paper leak incidents.
“Why are paper leaks happening repeatedly? Why are you silent time and again on this ‘exam paper discussion’? Why aren’t you dismissing the education minister who keeps failing repeatedly?” Gandhi asked.
He ended the post with a direct demand: “Sack Pradhan.”
NEET-UG 2026 Exam Cancelled After Leak Allegations
The NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled following allegations that confidential question papers were leaked before the May 3 exam.
Investigators alleged that the paper was leaked through insiders associated with the exam-setting process under the National Testing Agency.
So far, nine people across five states have reportedly been arrested in connection with the case.
Among those arrested are:
- Retired chemistry lecturer PV Kulkarni
- Pune-based botany teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare
Authorities alleged the accused shared questions and answers with selected candidates in exchange for large sums of money.
Searches conducted by investigators reportedly led to the seizure of:
- Mobile phones
- Laptops
- Financial records
- Confidential documents linked to the exam process
Congress Alleges ‘Money-Making Nexus’
Rahul Gandhi earlier alleged that a “money-making nexus” involving BJP and RSS-linked individuals had compromised the examination system.
He also claimed that question papers were circulated on WhatsApp two days before the examination.
The Congress leader accused the government of failing millions of students preparing for competitive exams.
NEET 2024 Controversy Resurfaces
The latest controversy has also revived memories of the NEET 2024 paper leak allegations.
Last year, the medical entrance exam faced nationwide criticism after 67 candidates secured perfect scores, triggering concerns about irregularities.
Investigators later alleged that candidates had paid between ₹30 lakh and ₹50 lakh to access leaked question papers before the exam.
The case was eventually handed over to the CBI, which claimed the paper had been illegally accessed from an examination centre in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
In July 2024, the Supreme Court of India acknowledged that a paper leak had occurred but declined to cancel the examination, stating there was no evidence of a “systemic breach”.
Fresh Debate Over Exam Security
The NEET 2026 controversy has once again sparked debate around the security of national-level competitive examinations and the accountability of agencies responsible for conducting them.
