NDA Backs PM Modi on NEET Paper Leak Response, Says Government Committed to Protecting Students

New Delhi, July 2026 : National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Tuesday rallied behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the government’s handling of the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, asserting that the Centre has acted swiftly against those responsible and remains committed to safeguarding the interests of the country’s youth.

The support from NDA leaders came amid continued criticism from the Opposition over the police action against students protesting at Jantar Mantar and demands for greater accountability over alleged examination irregularities.

Addressing the NDA’s ‘Mangal Milan’ programme, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the seriousness of the paper leak issue, stating that it was not confined to any single state or the Central government but was a matter of national concern. He said the government had taken prompt action after the irregularities came to light, leading to the arrest of 13 individuals allegedly involved in the case.

Emphasising the need for collective responsibility, the Prime Minister said preventing examination malpractices requires coordinated efforts from both the Centre and state governments to ensure that the future of students is protected.

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s remarks, Union Minister and Republican Party of India (A) president Ramdas Athawale said the government fully recognised the hardships faced by lakhs of students due to the alleged paper leak. He stressed that those responsible had been identified and should face strict punishment under the law.

“The Prime Minister has clearly stated that what happened in the NEET examination was wrong and that many students suffered because of it. Those involved have been arrested, and they should be punished severely. It is also the responsibility of state governments and their administrative machinery to ensure such incidents do not occur in future examinations,” Athawale told reporters outside Parliament.

He further asserted that the NDA government stands firmly with the country’s ‘Yuva Shakti’, saying the youth remain at the centre of the government’s vision. Athawale also dismissed the criticism levelled by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, describing his allegations against the government as baseless.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Praful Patel echoed similar sentiments, saying Prime Minister Modi had highlighted the immense contribution of India’s youth across sectors, from scientific research and space exploration to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Patel said ensuring a fair and transparent examination system was essential to securing the future of young Indians. He added that the government had resolved to prevent incidents such as the NEET paper leak from recurring and was committed to strengthening safeguards in the examination process.

BJP MP Ravi Kishan said the Prime Minister had sent a strong message by directing authorities to ensure that those responsible for examination fraud face exemplary punishment. According to him, the government intends to engage the country’s best legal experts to pursue the cases vigorously so that strict action serves as a deterrent against future attempts to compromise students’ careers for financial gain.

However, the government’s response continued to draw criticism from the Opposition. AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi questioned what measures would be taken to address the concerns of students who were directly affected by the controversy.

He pointed out that some candidates had reportedly lost valuable time due to examination disruptions and asked what relief or compensation the government planned to provide to students who had to reappear for the examination or whose academic prospects had been adversely affected.

The political debate follows protests led by student groups demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak that surfaced after the May 3 examination. The issue has also triggered repeated disruptions in Parliament, with the Opposition continuing to seek a detailed discussion on examination reforms and accountability.

Team Maverick.