Education Reforms – Supriya Sule Demands Time-Bound SIT Probe Into Exam Irregularities

Education Reforms –  Concerns over alleged examination irregularities and the treatment of protesting students took centre stage on Saturday as NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule called for immediate institutional reforms. She urged the government to ensure accountability through an impartial investigation while emphasizing that the issue should be handled beyond political considerations. According to Sule, the growing anxiety among students deserves serious attention, and restoring trust in the examination process should remain a national priority.

Call for Independent Investigation

Addressing reporters, the Baramati Member of Parliament sought the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a transparent and time-bound inquiry into the alleged irregularities linked to competitive examinations. She said the investigation should also examine the police action taken against students who participated in demonstrations over the alleged NEET paper leak. Sule maintained that a credible inquiry would help establish accountability and strengthen confidence in the education system.

Demand for Wider Parliamentary Discussion

Sule also appealed to the Union government to convene an all-party meeting or set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to discuss reforms related to the country’s education framework. She said lawmakers from across political parties should work together to identify long-term measures that can improve the conduct of national-level examinations, including NEET. According to her, a broad-based discussion would be more effective in addressing the concerns of students and parents.

Concerns Over New Anti-Paper Leak Law

Referring to the recently passed Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, Sule said that although the legislation proposes stricter punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks, it has not fully addressed the concerns raised by stakeholders. The law provides for prison terms ranging from five to ten years along with financial penalties of up to Rs 50 lakh for individuals found guilty of paper leak offences. However, she argued that tougher punishment alone cannot eliminate the problem unless stronger preventive safeguards are introduced.

Questions Over Examination Integrity

While discussing repeated allegations surrounding NEET, Sule claimed that the examination had faced recurring questions over paper leak incidents. She contrasted this with the UPSC examination, which she said has not witnessed similar controversies. According to her, ensuring transparency and improving security mechanisms should remain the primary focus to protect the credibility of competitive examinations.

Commercialisation of Education Raises Concerns

The NCP (SP) leader also expressed concern over what she described as the increasing commercialisation of education. She said coaching institutes have evolved into large business enterprises, with some even entering the capital market through initial public offerings. Sule argued that education should remain focused on learning and equal opportunity rather than becoming heavily driven by commercial interests.

Criticism of Police Action During Student Protests

Commenting on the recent demonstrations, Sule strongly criticised the alleged use of force against students. She described reports of a lathi-charge and allegations that female protesters were dragged by their hair as deeply unfortunate. Stressing that the protesters were students seeking answers about examination-related issues, she said authorities should respond with sensitivity instead of force.

Support for Affected Students

Sule reiterated that the issue should not be turned into a political contest and called for constructive cooperation among all stakeholders. She said her party’s legal team would extend assistance to students facing legal proceedings in connection with the protests. According to her, the commitment is not limited to political affiliation but reflects a broader responsibility toward the country’s youth. She added that every affected student deserves justice, transparent examinations, and confidence that future recruitment and admission processes will be conducted fairly.