Prime Minister Modi Addresses NEET Exam Controversy Amid Protests
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a video message addressing the ongoing protests regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination. He expressed gratitude to the youth for their feedback and assured that the government is committed to taking decisive action against paper leaks. Following his message, the central cabinet approved a draft bill aimed at imposing strict penalties for such offenses. Despite this, protests continue, with calls for the resignation of the Education Minister. The government is also working on reforms within the National Testing Agency (NTA) to address these issues.
| Jul 25, 2026, 09:36 IST
Modi's Video Message Amid Protests
In response to the ongoing protests by the Cockroach People's Party (CJP) regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video message late at night for the second consecutive day. This video, shared on Instagram, expresses gratitude to the country's "young friends" for their suggestions and feedback, assuring them of the government's commitment to taking swift and stringent action against paper leak incidents.
In his message, PM Modi stated, "Thank you, friends! I had the opportunity to connect with all of you last night. The response to my posted video was overwhelming. I appreciate everyone for sharing their suggestions. We will continue to engage positively. Thank you all."
This marks the second day that the Prime Minister has addressed the protests through a video. In his previous message, he pledged to introduce a bill aimed at strict actions against paper leak cases, emphasizing that such issues are not trivial and significantly impact the lives of millions.
Government's Response to Paper Leak Issues
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Describing the incidents of paper leaks as 'extremely unfortunate,' PM Modi acknowledged that while several measures have been implemented regarding the NEET issue, he remains unsatisfied. Consequently, he has instructed relevant authorities to establish fast-track courts. He also congratulated officials for successfully conducting the NEET re-examination.
Cabinet Approves Anti-Paper Leak Bill
Following PM Modi's video on Thursday, the central cabinet approved a draft bill on Friday aimed at imposing strict penalties for paper leak cases. This draft bill is intended to replace the 'Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.' The approval came during a cabinet meeting held in the Parliament complex in the national capital.
The draft bill is set to be presented in Parliament next week, proposing a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment and fines up to 10 crore rupees for those involved in paper leaks and fraudulent activities.
Ongoing Demands for Minister's Resignation
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Despite the introduction of this draft bill, the CJP and opposition parties continue to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. However, the likelihood of this happening appears low, as sources indicate that the entire cabinet supports him. Reports also suggest that the central government is addressing all issues related to the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET-UG for medical admissions. It is anticipated that these matters will be resolved within the next month.