Rajya Sabha Adjourned Repeatedly as Opposition Presses for NEET Debate

New Delhi, July 2026 : Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha remained disrupted for the fifth consecutive day of the Monsoon Session on Friday as Opposition parties intensified their demand for a detailed discussion on the alleged NEET paper leak controversy and sought accountability from the Union government.

The House was unable to conduct any significant legislative business, with repeated protests forcing multiple adjournments. Apart from the laying of official papers and the presentation of committee reports, no substantive business could be transacted during the session.

The day’s proceedings began with Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan paying tribute to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil War, ahead of the observance of Kargil Vijay Diwas. Members observed the homage before moving to the listed agenda.

After ministers tabled official documents and reports, the House attempted to take up regular business. However, the proceedings soon turned turbulent when Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of the alleged police action against students protesting over the NEET controversy in New Delhi earlier this week.

Kharge referred to the Delhi Police’s alleged lathi-charge on student demonstrators, triggering loud protests from Opposition members. As the uproar intensified and members continued raising slogans, Chairman Radhakrishnan adjourned the House till noon in an attempt to restore order.

The Opposition has consistently demanded a comprehensive debate on the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), including allegations of question paper leaks and concerns over the functioning of the examination system. Opposition parties have also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging that the government has failed to ensure transparency and accountability.

Despite repeated demands over the past several days, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has so far not agreed to a full-fledged discussion in the House, leading to continuing confrontations between the treasury and Opposition benches.

During the brief periods when the House functioned, several ministers tabled important official papers. Minister of State Jitin Prasada presented documents relating to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, while Ram Nath Thakur laid papers concerning the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. L. Murugan tabled documents on behalf of the Ministry of Rural Development, and V. Somanna presented papers relating to the Ministry of Railways on behalf of Union Minister Ravneet Singh.

Members also submitted reports of key parliamentary committees, including Action Taken Reports of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee and the Public Accounts Committee. Among those presenting committee reports were Ghanshyam Tewari and Akhilesh Prasad Singh.

The continued disruptions underscore the sharp political divide over the handling of the NEET controversy. With both the government and the Opposition remaining firm on their respective positions, the prospects for smooth functioning of Parliament during the remainder of the Monsoon Session appear increasingly uncertain.