Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Education System Over NEET Exam Center Controversy
In a recent statement, Rahul Gandhi criticized the Indian education system after a NEET candidate was assigned an exam center in Abu Dhabi, despite choosing Nagpur. He highlighted the stress faced by students and questioned the National Testing Agency's ability to provide accessible exam centers. Gandhi's remarks emphasize the need for a responsible education system that prioritizes students' well-being and future. This incident has raised significant concerns about the current state of education in India, prompting calls for reform and accountability.
| Jun 20, 2026, 13:10 IST
Rahul Gandhi's Critique of the Education System
On Saturday, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed his discontent with the central government and the nation's education system. His remarks came in light of a NEET-UG 2026 candidate being assigned an exam center in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Gandhi shared on X that the student was overwhelmed upon viewing his admit card, as he did not possess a passport for international travel.
He recounted the experience 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 discover that his exam center was in Abu Dhabi. Lacking a passport and financial support from his family for travel, the student was left in a state of despair, crying throughout the night and refusing to take the exam. Gandhi questioned the kind of stress this situation imposed, asking if anyone could truly comprehend it.
Gandhi emphasized that no student should face issues reaching their exam center. He raised concerns about how such a situation could arise, insisting that there should have been no complaints from students regarding access to their centers. He criticized the National Testing Agency (NTA), stating that it was testing the patience of children and their parents. The Congress leader argued that a system that cannot provide a local center for students but sends them abroad has no right to conduct examinations. He accused the education system of robbing an entire generation of their time and money.
He reiterated a similar sentiment he expressed in Kota, stating that the current education system has devolved into a mere exploitation of a generation's resources, including their time and mental well-being. Gandhi urged an end to gambling with the futures of children, asserting that they deserve a sensitive, responsible, and accountable education system and examination authority, and vowed to ensure they receive it. This issue arose when a NEET candidate from Nagpur, despite selecting Nagpur as his preferred exam city, was assigned to 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.
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