NEET2026 – Student Organisations Intensify Protests After Exam Cancellation
NEET2026 – The cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination has triggered widespread outrage among student groups and political youth organisations, with demonstrations continuing across Delhi a day after authorities scrapped the test over alleged question paper leaks.
More than 22 lakh students who appeared for the medical entrance examination on May 3 have been left uncertain about their academic future following the decision to cancel the test. Protesters claimed the incident has raised serious concerns about the credibility of the examination system and the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
NSUI Holds Demonstration Outside Minister’s Residence
Members of the National Students’ Union of India staged a protest near the residence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday. Demonstrators accused the government of failing to protect the integrity of one of the country’s most competitive entrance examinations.
The protesters demanded accountability from the education ministry and called for the resignation of the minister. Slogans condemning the alleged paper leak and the handling of the issue were raised throughout the demonstration.
Leading the protest, NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar said the incident had shattered the aspirations of lakhs of students preparing for medical careers. He argued that repeated controversies linked to competitive examinations have damaged public confidence in the system.
Jakhar also warned that the organisation would continue demonstrations in different states if strict action was not taken against those responsible for the alleged leak. The student body further demanded major reforms within the NTA and sought a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the matter.
ABVP Questions Examination Management
Separately, activists from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad organised a large protest outside the headquarters of the National Testing Agency in Delhi. The group expressed concern over what it described as repeated irregularities in national-level examinations.
During the protest, police personnel detained several demonstrators after tensions escalated near the protest site. Eyewitnesses said security forces intervened to control the crowd as students attempted to move closer to the NTA office premises.
Delhi ABVP state secretary Sarthak Sharma criticised the functioning of the testing authority and questioned its dependence on private firms for conducting large-scale examinations. He called for an independent inquiry and demanded strict punishment for anyone found involved in the leak allegations.
Youth Congress Marches in Central Delhi
Workers associated with the Indian Youth Congress also joined the protests in the national capital. Led by Delhi Youth Congress president Akshay Lakhra, party workers marched from the organisation’s office towards the Raisina Road area.
Addressing supporters during the march, Lakhra criticised the examination authorities for failing to prevent repeated paper leak controversies. He also alleged political involvement in the incident and demanded transparency in the investigation process.
Concerns Grow Over Competitive Exam Security
The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 has once again drawn attention to the security challenges surrounding major competitive examinations in India. Over the past few years, multiple recruitment and entrance tests have faced allegations related to paper leaks, technical failures, and procedural lapses.
Education experts believe such controversies create severe emotional and financial pressure on students and families, especially those preparing for highly competitive medical and engineering entrance exams. Many students travel long distances and spend years preparing for these examinations, making any disruption deeply stressful.
The government has not yet announced the revised schedule for the NEET-UG examination. Meanwhile, investigations into the alleged paper leak are expected to continue as pressure mounts on authorities to ensure transparency and restore trust among students.