Ashok Gehlot Criticizes Rajasthan Government Over NEET-UG Exam Cancellation
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has criticized the BJP-led state government for its handling of the NEET-UG exam, which was recently canceled due to allegations of irregularities and a paper leak. The central government has transferred the investigation to the CBI, prompting Gehlot to call for a thorough inquiry into the matter. He expressed concerns over the police's delayed response to student complaints and highlighted the ongoing issue of question paper leaks. As protests erupted from student unions against the central government, questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing these serious allegations have come to the forefront. The situation raises significant concerns about the integrity of the examination process in the state.
May 12, 2026, 16:10 IST
Gehlot's Critique of NEET-UG Exam Management
Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, expressed his disapproval on Tuesday regarding the management of the NEET-UG examination by the state's BJP government, which led to the cancellation of the exam by the central authorities. Amid allegations of irregularities and a paper leak, the central government announced the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 exam scheduled for May 3, stating that the country's largest undergraduate medical entrance examination would be rescheduled with new dates. To address the serious allegations, the case has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Gehlot accused national-level gangs of being behind multiple paper leaks across the country and urged the CBI to reach a logical conclusion in their investigation while calling on the central government to focus on resolving the issue.
Concerns Raised by Congress Leaders
The Congress leader remarked to reporters, "This is beyond comprehension. When students filed complaints on May 3 and 4, the police did not respond. It was only after students wrote to the NTA that the police took action and the case was assigned to the SOG. Between 20 to 30 arrests were made, yet it remains unclear why the police did not file an FIR. For three consecutive years, question papers have been leaked from the NTA. Unless we get to the root of this issue, it will persist. Many states are experiencing question paper leaks, and the youth are frustrated with the gangs responsible for these leaks. I have appealed to the center to address the issue of these national-level gangs. The NTA canceled the exam without filing an FIR, which implies they must have solid evidence of the leak. Why does the Rajasthan government and SOG lack evidence? During our tenure, exams were also canceled, but cases were filed. This is a very unfortunate situation. The CBI must reach a logical conclusion, and Dharmendra Pradhan should pay attention to this matter."
Questions Raised About Police Response
Rajasthan Congress leader Tikaram Juli also questioned the state police, stating, "The NEET exam that was postponed today had complaints lodged with the police previously, but they ignored them. Why did the Rajasthan police not file an FIR and consider this a paper leak? This investigation should be conducted under the guidance of the judiciary. The network of paper mafias is widespread across the country. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced that the decision to reschedule the exam was made after reviewing information shared in coordination with central agencies. Concerns regarding the fairness of the examination process were raised in the investigation shared by law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) protested against the central government, with demonstrators seen climbing barricades at Shastri Bhawan to voice their dissent.