NEET-UG 2026 leak row: Rahul Gandhi slams Modi government, demands Education minister’s exit

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi intensified his attack on the Centre over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, accusing the government of repeated failures in securing national examinations. He questioned accountability, alleging that despite multiple controversies, no corrective action had been taken against responsible authorities, including the Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the National Testing Agency (NTA), while CBI investigation continues.

What did Rahul Gandhi say?

Rahul Gandhi said on X, “NEET 2024: Paper leaked. Exam not cancelled. Minister did not resign. CBI set up an investigation. A committee was formed. NEET 2026: Paper leaked. Exam cancelled. Minister still did not resign. CBI is investigating again. Another committee will be formed,” Gandhi wrote.

He further asked PM Modi, “Mr Modi, the country is asking you some questions - answer them! Why are paper leaks happening repeatedly? Why are you silent time and again on this ‘exam paper discussion’? Why aren't you dismissing the education minister who keeps failing repeatedly?”

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What evidence has been recovered so far in the investigation

The remarks came during a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the NEET-UG 2026 leak case, which has resulted in several arrests across different states.

According to a Hindustan Times report, investigators have said that confidential question papers were leaked from inside the National Testing Agency (NTA) through people connected to the paper-setting process. Two individuals linked to the exam system, retired chemistry lecturer PV Kulkarni and Pune-based botany teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, have been arrested for allegedly leaking questions before the May 3 exam. Investigators alleged the accused leaked questions and answers to selected students in exchange for large sums of money.

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So far, nine people from five states have been arrested in the case. Searches at six places led to the recovery of documents, laptops, bank records, and mobile phones linked to the investigation.

What is the “money-making nexus” allegation made by Rahul Gandhi

According to a Hindustan Times report, on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of failing millions of students. He said the question paper was allegedly shared on WhatsApp two days before the exam.

He also claimed there was a “money-making nexus” involving the BJP, RSS, and people working in universities.

What happened in the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy

According to a Hindustan Times report, in 2024, allegations of paper leaks and irregularities came up during the medical entrance exam. The issue became more serious after 67 students got perfect scores.

Police in Bihar later found an alleged paper leak racket on the same day of the exam. Investigators said some candidates had paid between ₹30 lakh and ₹50 lakh to get access to leaked question papers before the test.

The case was then given to the CBI, which said the paper was illegally taken from an exam centre in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh before the exam started. It was then shared through organised groups involving middlemen, students, and local agents.

The controversy also caused public anger over “grace marks” and unusually high scores. In July 2024, the Supreme Court accepted that there was a paper leak but did not cancel the exam, saying there was no proof of a “systemic breach”.