New Delhi, July 22: Congress MPs Hibi Eden and Manickam Tagore B presented a notice in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, demanding a discussion regarding the government’s failure to protect the academic future and safety of students following irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 and UGC NET examinations. They also raised concerns about arbitrary FIRs filed against protesting students in Delhi.
Addressing the Lok Sabha Speaker, MP Manickam Tagore B stated, “The ongoing crisis resulting from paper leaks and irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 and UGC NET examinations has led to the loss of precious lives and the failure of the Ministry of Education and the National Testing Agency (NTA) to safeguard the academic future of over 2.3 million students. It is essential to halt the house’s normal proceedings to discuss the FIRs filed against students peacefully protesting in Delhi.”
The NEET UG 2026 exam, which was conducted for millions of candidates, confirmed instances of paper leaks involving NTA officials. This led to the exam being canceled and subsequently rescheduled amid nationwide chaos.
Similar irregularities were reported in the UGC NET exam, raising serious concerns about the credibility of India’s central testing agencies and undermining public trust in the fairness of national examinations. Reports of student suicides due to the stress, uncertainty, and injustice stemming from this situation have emerged. The Union Education Minister publicly acknowledged the institutional failures but has refused to resign or take moral and constitutional responsibility.
Despite repeated assurances of systemic reforms, no definitive examination calendar, structural reforms for the NTA, or victim compensation framework has been implemented. Students and civil society groups peacefully marching to Parliament to voice their protests faced police violence, followed by FIRs against them. This has criminalized the legitimate democratic protests of young citizens, whose futures are already jeopardized due to government failures.
In his letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, MP Manickam Tagore B urged, “I request that the house proceedings be suspended to discuss the following demands: the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who must take moral responsibility for the complete failure of examination integrity under his oversight; a thorough and timely discussion in Parliament regarding the irregularities in examinations and the government’s failure to protect students’ academic futures and lives; and the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs filed against students in connection with the protests in Delhi, ensuring that police or legal pressure is not used against peaceful student protests. This is a serious and urgent public concern directly linked to the trust of India’s youth in the government machinery. Therefore, I request that this issue be prioritized, setting aside the normal business of the house.”
Meanwhile, MP Hibi Eden informed the Lok Sabha Speaker of his intention to present a “suspension motion” to discuss the immediate public importance of police actions against protesting students near Parliament. “The house cannot remain a silent spectator to the disturbing reports of police baton charges and the use of tear gas against thousands of students peacefully protesting against the flaws in the country’s education and examination system,” he stated.
He further added, “Students seeking justice through legal and democratic means faced excessive and unlawful force from the Delhi police. These incidents raise serious concerns about the protection of fundamental rights under the Constitution of India. The manner in which the protests were handled has shaken the nation’s conscience and is against the democratic values that Parliament is obliged to uphold. The central government‘s continued silence on these incidents has further heightened public concern. The house should discuss whether such police actions were appropriate, hold accountable those responsible, and ensure the protection of students’ constitutional rights. Given the seriousness of the matter, I urge that all other proceedings of the house be suspended for an immediate discussion on this issue.”
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