PM Modi promises strict action on NEET paper leak, urges NDA to expose opposition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the media on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament in New Delhi, alongside Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Ministers of State Arjun Ram Meghwal and Jitendra Singh. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday strongly defended the government against sharp attacks over its failure to establish accountability in the NEET examination paper leak, stating that those responsible would face strict action. At the same time, he urged the ruling NDA leaders to expose the “opposition conspiracies,” as more political parties, including the Congress, have come out proactively in support of the agitation since Monday, when the ‘sansad cholo’ march began.

He also signalled his intention to reach out to the agitating youth a day after they were lathi-charged and tear-gassed during Monday’s parliament march, describing the menace of paper leaks as “ghor paap” (grave sin). He stated that it is an issue concerning the future of India’s youth and not a matter for political point-scoring. The youth have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET examination paper leak.

Modi broke his silence during his address at the NDA’s weekly closed-door parliamentary party meeting, which has been rechristened as “Mangal Milan,” held during Parliament sessions.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, in his briefing to reporters, said that the Prime Minister described paper leaks as “ghor paap” (grave sin) but stressed that preventing them must be a “national responsibility,” given that the issue is not limited to states or the Centre.

“Regarding the NEET examination, the Prime Minister stated that the government acted swiftly, arresting 13 individuals involved in the paper leak, who were subsequently sent to jail. To ensure that students’ futures were not harmed, the NEET re-exam was conducted successfully, and the results were declared without any delay,” Rijiju said.

According to the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, “The Prime Minister also stated that strict measures have been implemented to prevent such paper leaks in the future and appealed for the strictest possible punishment for those involved. With the support of the country’s top lawyers, he emphasised that those who commit such a grave offence should face exemplary action to ensure that similar incidents do not recur.”

He appealed to the parties to rise above “partisan politics” and join hands to prevent future paper leaks in the “national interest.”

A BJP MP who was present at the meeting said, on the condition of anonymity, that the Prime Minister stated, “Some forces have ganged up to mislead the students,” and “We have to win the trust of the youth and tell them that the government will not allow any injustice to happen to them.”

The protestors from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) met with Union Minister JP Nadda on Monday while the protest was in full swing, seeking action on three demands: action against Union Minister Pradhan, the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, and financial compensation for NEET aspirants who have lost their lives. On Tuesday, the CJP stated that they felt betrayed by the government’s refusal to take timely action on their demands.

Published on July 21, 2026