NEET – Government Signals Readiness for Parliament Debate on Exam Leak Issue

NEET – The Centre has expressed its willingness to hold a detailed discussion in Parliament on the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, while the Opposition has continued to demand accountability and immediate corrective measures.

The government on Wednesday reiterated in the Lok Sabha that it is prepared to hold a discussion on the alleged NEET-UG examination paper leak, as repeated protests by Opposition members disrupted proceedings in the House. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the Centre has consistently conveyed its readiness over the past three days to debate the matter. He added that the discussion would be conducted according to the rules of the House, with its timing and format to be decided after consultations among floor leaders of all political parties.

Government Invites Opposition for Structured Debate

Supporting the minister’s remarks, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla informed members that the government was open to a discussion and encouraged political parties to jointly determine the agenda and schedule. The Speaker’s appeal came amid continued demands from Opposition MPs, who have been pressing for a dedicated debate on the examination controversy.

Rijiju maintained that the government had never avoided the issue and remained willing to address concerns raised by members through the established parliamentary process.

Opposition Calls the Matter a National Concern

Responding to the government’s statement, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav argued that the alleged paper leak extends beyond political disagreements and directly affects the future of students across the country. He said the issue should not be viewed merely through the lens of ministerial resignations but should focus on concrete action against those responsible.

Yadav also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a statement in Parliament, saying students deserve clarity and reassurance from the country’s highest leadership. According to him, young aspirants are deeply concerned about the integrity of competitive examinations and expect decisive action from the government.

House Proceedings Disrupted

Despite the government’s assurance of a discussion, loud protests from Opposition members continued in the Lok Sabha, leading to repeated disruptions. As the uproar intensified, the proceedings were adjourned until 2 pm.

The disruptions reflected the ongoing disagreement between the Treasury benches and the Opposition over the procedure under which the matter should be discussed and the demands linked to the debate.

Congress Pushes for Adjournment Motion

Earlier in the day, Congress leader KC Venugopal said Opposition parties had unanimously agreed to continue seeking a debate through an adjournment motion. He stated that members had consistently submitted notices over the past three days regarding the alleged NEET and CBSE examination paper leak issue.

According to Venugopal, the Opposition has also reiterated its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while calling for a comprehensive strategy to prevent similar incidents in future examinations. He added that the Opposition would readily participate in a discussion if the government accepted the adjournment motion.

Protest Held Inside Parliament Complex

Before the House assembled, several Opposition leaders staged a protest within the Parliament premises while dressed in black attire. The demonstration was attended by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several other MPs.

Speaking during the protest, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said students have raised legitimate concerns and are demanding their rights. She emphasized that their voices deserve to be heard and that Parliament should address the issue with seriousness, considering the impact on millions of examination aspirants and their families.