Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that the government will introduce a comprehensive bill in Parliament next week to address the pervasive issue of exam paper leaks. The announcement, made via a video message on Thursday, July 24, 2026, outlined the government's intention to bring in stringent measures against those responsible for such leaks.
According to the Prime Minister, the proposed legislation will first undergo discussion by the Union Cabinet on Friday, July 25, before its introduction in Parliament on Monday, July 28, marking the start of the second week of the Monsoon session. Modi emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, "We will try to pass it as early as possible."
Tackling a National Challenge
Modi acknowledged the profound distress caused by paper leaks, describing them as "not a small issue" and "extremely painful" for millions of students and their families. He highlighted the government's ongoing efforts since allegations of the NEET paper leak surfaced approximately two-and-a-half months prior.
- "The guilty have been caught. They are now in jail," Modi stated, referring to arrests made in connection with past incidents.
- He underscored the government's commitment to ensuring students do not lose an academic year, citing the successful re-examination for 2.2 million students.
- Fast-track courts have also been established to expedite justice in such cases.
Opposition Criticizes Government Response
The announcement drew sharp criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Congress. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the Prime Minister of breaking his silence only after two months, without addressing accountability for the leaks, the student protests, or the police action against demonstrators.
Ramesh claimed the Modi government had initially denied the NEET-UG 2026 exam leak and that the Education Ministry had refused to acknowledge irregularities before a Parliamentary Standing Committee. He further alleged that the government had suppressed evidence of anomalies, despite suspicious clustering of high scorers in certain test centers and acknowledging a "selective leak" in Hazaribagh without delivering justice.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi echoed these sentiments, labeling Modi's video message as "pathetic" and an insult to students' intelligence, while also demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Activist Ends Hunger Strike
Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk concluded his indefinite hunger strike after 26 days, following assurances from the government regarding his demands. Wangchuk confirmed that Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, conveying the government's commitment to address the issues he raised. He broke his fast in their presence, alongside senior leaders from the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh.