“Examination system is a fraud…..”: Rahul Gandhi Lashes Out at Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over 2024 NEET UG Exam

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha on Monday hit out at the Central government and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged leak of the NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) paper, highlighting what he called “a very serious problem” in the country's examination system. During the question hour of the monsoon session of the 18th Lok Sabha, the Raebareli MP stated that the controversies surrounding the 2024 NEET-UG exam have led to widespread disillusionment among millions of students, who now believe that the “Indian education system is a fraud.”

“It's obvious to the whole country that there is a very serious problem with our examination system. This is not just the question of the NEET but major examinations. Now, the minister has blamed everybody except himself. I don't think he understands the fundamentals of what's going on here.’ said Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha raised concerns over the integrity of the Indian Examination System and claimed that millions of students believe it to be a “fraud”. “Millions of people believe that if you're rich, you can buy the Indian examination system, and this is the same feeling we as the Opposition have. This is why we are asking some very simple questions to the Hon. Minister,” added the senior Congress leader.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan responded to the Opposition's allegations and said that in the past 7 years, there have been no evidences of paper leaks. “In the last seven years, the NTA has conducted over 240 exams with more than five crore students participating, and there is no evidence of paper leaks. We are not hiding anything.” He was countered by Rahul Gandhi, who asked, “If this is a systematic issue, what concrete steps are you taking to address it?”

Dharmendra Pradhan was quick to take a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, saying that it is “condemnable” that the Leader of Opposition is disparaging the country's examination system. “A lie will not become truth just by shouting. The fact that the Leader of Opposition says that the country's examination system is rubbish, is highly condemnable. The government had brought in a new law aimed at tackling malpractices and irregularities in competitive exams,” said Pradhan. The Union Education Minister added that the Supreme Court has twice upheld the need for a centralized examination pattern, which is currently under judicial review.

The Raebareli MP’s apprehensions were also echoed by alliance partner and Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav who stated that the current Union government will create new record in paper leaks. “If not in anything else, the current Union government is sure to create a new record in paper leaks. Students across the country are protesting. Investigation is leading to revelations, arrests are being made. I have only one request, students will not get justice if this minister continues,” said Yadav.

The allegations surrounding the NEET-UG exam include accusations of paper leaks and discrepancies in score adjustments, which have sparked protests and political outcry nationwide. The Supreme Court is currently hearing petitions related to the NEET-UG 2024 exam, with arguments including the credibility of the exam process and potential policy decisions to address the alleged irregularities.​