Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Education System After NEET Exam Center Controversy
Rahul Gandhi has voiced strong criticism of the Indian education system following a controversial incident where a NEET-UG 2026 candidate was assigned an exam center in Abu Dhabi, despite selecting Nagpur as his preferred location. The student faced significant stress due to the lack of a passport and financial support for travel, prompting Gandhi to question the accountability of the National Testing Agency. He emphasized the need for a responsible education system that prioritizes students' well-being. The NTA later resolved the issue, allowing the student to take the exam in Nagpur. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about accessibility and fairness in the education system.
| Jun 20, 2026, 13:09 IST
Opposition Leader's Concerns Over NEET Exam Center Allocation
On Saturday, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed his discontent with the central government and the education system in India. His criticism arose after a student preparing for the NEET-UG 2026 was assigned an exam center in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Gandhi shared on social media that the student was under immense stress upon viewing his admit card, as he did not possess a passport for international travel. He highlighted the case of a student from Nagpur who had been preparing for the NEET retest for a month. Just a day before the exam, he downloaded his admit card only to find out that his center was in Abu Dhabi. With no passport, no financial support from family for travel, and limited time left, the student was left in tears, refusing to take the exam. Gandhi questioned the kind of stress this situation creates, asking if anyone could truly comprehend it.
Call for Accountability in Education System
Gandhi emphasized that no student should face issues reaching their exam center. He questioned how such a situation could arise, insisting that there should have been no complaints from any student regarding their centers. He accused the National Testing Agency (NTA) of testing the patience of children and their parents. Criticizing the NTA, he stated, "A system that cannot provide a student with an exam center in their own city but sends them abroad has no right to conduct examinations." He further alleged that the education system has become a means to exploit the time and money of an entire generation.
A Call to Reform the Education System
Gandhi reiterated similar sentiments he expressed in Kota, stating that the current education system is no longer about learning but rather a means of robbing a generation of their time, money, and mental peace. He urged an end to gambling with the future of children, asserting that they deserve a sensitive, responsible, and accountable education system and examination authority. This incident gained attention when a NEET candidate from Nagpur, despite selecting his city as a preference, was assigned an exam center in Abu Dhabi just a day before the medical entrance exam scheduled for June 21, leaving the candidate and his family in a state of uncertainty.
Resolution of the Exam Center Issue
Later, Abhishek Singh, the Director General of the National Testing Agency, clarified that the issue regarding the Nagpur student's exam center allocation to Abu Dhabi had been resolved. In a conversation with media representatives, Singh confirmed that the error had been corrected and the student was now assigned to an exam center in his hometown of Nagpur. He assured that the matter had been addressed and the candidate would be able to take the exam locally.