NEET-UG and UGC-NET Scandals Spark Protests in Delhi, Leading to Detentions

Student protests outside Ministry of Education and Education Minister’s residence turn chaotic amid allegations of exam malpractice and demands for accountability.

#WATCH | NSUI (National Students' Union of India) held a protest outside Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s residence in Delhi over NEET and UGC-NET issues. The protesters were soon detained by Police. pic.twitter.com/OZTenTZ1q8

— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2024

New Delhi: Student protests erupted in the heart of New Delhi on Thursday as various student organizations demonstrated outside the Union Ministry of Education and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s residence. The protests were in response to the cancellation of the UGC-NET 2024 exam and allegations of a paper leak associated with the NEET UG entrance examination, which have stirred significant controversy.

More than two dozen students from different universities and members of various student outfits were detained by the police during the demonstrations. The protestors demanded the banning of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and called for Pradhan’s resignation over the handling of the exam irregularities.

The protests saw participation from students affiliated with political outfits including the Congress-affiliated NSUI, CPI (ML)’s AISA, SFI, DSF, and KYS. Accusations of police brutality surfaced as the DSF accused Delhi Police of mishandling and assaulting protestors, including representatives from JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU).

In response, Delhi Police refuted these claims, citing that permission had not been obtained for protests in the high-security area under section 144. They maintained that necessary measures were taken due to the unauthorized nature of the protests.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the Education Ministry announced the cancellation of the UGC-NET 2024 examination following indications that the examination process might have been compromised. The ministry disclosed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been assigned to investigate the matter. Both the UGC-NET 2024 and NEET UG 2024 exams were conducted by the NTA, which has been embroiled in multiple controversies recently regarding alleged malpractices.

The unfolding events prompted strong criticism from opposition parties. TMC MP Saket Gokhale criticized the Modi-led central government, stating, “The examination system in our country has collapsed. Paper leaks and irregularities are rampant, and the ineffective NTA is complicit in it.”

Similarly, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) voiced condemnation via social media, asserting, “From CUET discrepancies to the NEET Scam, and now UGC-NET cancellation! The BJP government has turned our education system into a complete mockery.”

The protests underscored growing concerns over the integrity of India’s national-level entrance examinations, prompting calls for stringent accountability measures and reforms within the examination conducting bodies.