Student Protests Across India Demand NTA Abolition and Minister’s Resignation Over Exam Leaks
In June 2026, multiple student organizations (SFI, DYFI, AIDSO, PDSO) held protests in Vijayawada, Hassan, and Visakhapatnam, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA) over recurring NEET, UGC-NET, and CUET paper leaks. Protesters cited student suicides, systemic failures, commercialization of education, and demanded decentralization of exam administration. Warnings of intensified agitation were issued if demands were unmet.
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Organizations in Mysuru support Sonam Wangchuk's call for overhauling the examination system following the NEET paper leak
On July 20, 2026, multiple organizations including the Mysuru University Research Scholars’ Association, Federation of Dalit Students, progressive groups, Dalit groups, and farmers' organizations staged a one-day hunger strike at Gandhi Bhavan on the University of Mysore campus. The protest supported educationist Sonam Wangchuk and Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA) following the NEET-UG paper leak. Post-graduate students, writers, artistes, and progressive thinkers participated, calling for a thorough overhaul of India's education system. Protesters alleged that the exam irregularities affected lakhs of students and that several students had died by suicide due to the controversy. The Cockroach Janta Party is mobilizing Gen Z youth for educational reforms, seeking a transparent and accountable examination system.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Dalit Sangharsha Samiti Demands Education Minister's Resignation Over NEET Issues, Calls for Talks with Sonam Wangchuk
The Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS), led by State convener D.G. Sagar, has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Speaking at a press conference in Kalaburagi on July 18, 2026, Sagar accused the BJP-led Union government of failing to ensure transparency in the exam and prioritizing corporate interests over student concerns. The DSS also criticized the government for not initiating dialogue with environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days. To press their demands, the DSS will stage a State-wide protest at all district headquarters in Karnataka on July 23, submitting memorandums to Deputy Commissioners addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Congress will not rest till Education Minister Pradhan resigns: Rahul Gandhi on NEET paper leak row
On May 24, 2026, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the NEET-UG exam cancellation due to a paper leak. Gandhi shared a video of student protests in Hyderabad, accusing the government of evading responsibility while millions of students' futures are at risk. He stated that the Congress party will not stop until Pradhan resigns and a foolproof system is established to prevent future leaks. The CPI(M) also joined the demand, calling for the scrapping of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The article highlights growing political pressure on the Modi government over the exam integrity crisis.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SFI activists protest Union Education Minister’s visit over paper leak row
Members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) staged a demonstration at Andhra University's main gate in Visakhapatnam on June 29, 2026, protesting the scheduled visit of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest was triggered by recurring paper leaks in NEET and other competitive exams, which demonstrators blamed on systemic failure by the central government. SFI State president P. Rammohana Rao demanded the minister's resignation, dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA), and compensation of ₹1 crore each for families of 10 students who died following the NEET paper leak. SFI Andhra University unit secretary and NEET aspirant Kusumanjali highlighted emotional and financial burdens on students, including inflated cut-offs and depression. Protesters threatened to physically obstruct the minister's visit if demands were not met.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SFI activists protest Union Education Minister's visit over NEET paper leak row
Members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) staged a demonstration at Andhra University main gate in Visakhapatnam on Monday, protesting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's scheduled visit to attend a convocation. The protesters, raising 'Go Back Dharmendra Pradhan' slogans, demanded his resignation over recurring leaks in NEET and other competitive exams. SFI state president P. Rammohana Rao accused the central government of failing to maintain transparency and credibility. The group also demanded the dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and compensation of ₹1 crore each to families of 10 students who died following the NEET paper leak. SFI leader Kusumanjali, a NEET aspirant, highlighted the financial and emotional toll on students, including inflated cut-offs and depression. The protesters warned they would physically obstruct the minister's visit if demands were not met, vowing to continue protests until firm measures are taken.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.PDSO Protests in Visakhapatnam, Demands Scrapping of NEET and Return of Medical Admissions to States
On June 25, 2026, members of the Progressive Democratic Students Organisation (PDSO) protested in Visakhapatnam, India, near the GVMC Gandhi statue, demanding the abolition of NEET and other national-level common entrance exams like JEE and CUET. PDSO district secretary V. Lakshmi alleged that 23.33 lakh candidates competed for 1.09 lakh medical seats, a NEET paper leak occurred, and 15 students died by suicide following this year's controversy, with 93 deaths over five years. She also claimed 89 paper leaks and irregularities in 148 NTA exams affected nine crore students. The organization called for restoring medical admission authority to states, expanding medical colleges, increasing investment in agriculture, pharmacy, and veterinary sciences, and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.AIDSO Protests in Hassan Over NEET-UG Paper Leak, Demands NTA Dismissal and Minister Resignation
On June 17, 2026, the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) held a protest in Hassan, Karnataka, demanding the dismissal of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG question paper leak. Protesters gathered near the Hemavathi Statue, accusing the government of criminal negligence that forced lakhs of students to retake the exam despite prior knowledge of the leak. AIDSO district president Chaitra U.K. noted that paper leaks had occurred in 2022 and 2024, with arrests made but systemic failures persisting. District secretary Sushma D.S. highlighted the growing exploitation by coaching institutions, stating the NEET coaching industry now generates over ₹1 lakh crore annually, with families spending ₹80,000 to ₹3 lakh per year. The protest underscores ongoing concerns about exam integrity and educational commercialization in India.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SFI and DYFI protest NTA failures, demand Union Education Minister’s resignation
On June 7, 2026, the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) jointly protested at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada, demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The leaders alleged that the National Testing Agency (NTA) has repeatedly failed in conducting national exams such as NEET, UGC-NET, and CUET, citing a NEET paper leak, irregularities in UGC-NET applications, flaws in CBSE evaluations, and the last-minute cancellation of CUET-UG. They claimed that 22 students have died by suicide due to exam-related mental distress. The protesters called for the abolition of NTA and decentralization of exam administration, including handing NEET to state governments. They warned of intensified agitation if their demands are not met. SFI State secretary K. Prasanna Kumar and DYFI State secretary G. Ramanna addressed the gathering, accusing the central government of negligence toward students' futures.
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