NEET Paper Leak: NSUI Stages Massive Protests in Delhi and UP, Demands Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation

New Delhi (IANS): The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged aggressive protests in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh on Monday over the alleged NEET paper leak, demanding that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign and the government ban the National Testing Agency (NTA).

NSUI workers gathered in large numbers to oppose repeated paper leaks, emphasizing that irregularities in competitive examinations compromise the future of lakhs of students.

“Our clear demand is that the government must ban the NTA and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan must resign,” one protestor said. “Repeated paper leaks affect lakhs of students who prepare for an entire year, only to find out in the end that someone leaked the paper.” The protestor added that these incidents deeply distress both the students and the parents who spend their hard-earned money on exam preparation.

Another demonstrator highlighted that paper leaks have disrupted the exam system repeatedly in 2021, 2024, and now in 2026, accusing the government of treating the issue lightly.

“We have two main demands: Dharmendra Pradhan must step down and the government must scrap the NTA,” the protestor stated. “The minister shows complete insensitivity and refuses to take strict action. Authorities have arrested a beautician, but how can a single outsider leak papers from such a massive, secure system?”

A third protestor drew attention to the mental health crisis among aspirants, noting that the ongoing controversy subjects students to severe stress.

“I want to ask Dharmendra Pradhan one question: who will answer for the sleepless nights of hard work and shattered dreams?” the protestor asked. “If markets start selling exam papers, what will inspire students to study honestly? Paper leaks mentally torture many students, driving some to suicide, yet the Education Minister remains completely indifferent.”

Meanwhile, in Basti, Uttar Pradesh, NSUI workers took a creative approach by distributing jhalmuri (spiced puffed rice) to passersby to spotlight unemployment and the NEET paper leak.

During the demonstration, workers argued that recurring leaks expose the government’s inability to maintain transparency in recruitment and national examinations.

“The continuous leaking of NEET papers, along with 89 other exam papers over the last 10 years, proves the weakness of the BJP government,” an activist alleged.

Targeting the administration over the lack of jobs, the activist added, “The Prime Minister once suggested that unemployed youth should sell pakodas (fritters). Today, a severe job shortage forces educated young people to sell jhalmuri. This government actively opposes the interests of students and youth.”