New Delhi (TIP): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked the Centre over the NEET controversy, saying repeated paper leak episodes and examination cancellations have pushed students and families into uncertainty, while an entire generation is paying the price for what he described as a failing education system.
Using the case of a student named Akanksha to question the government’s handling of competitive examinations, Rahul said the student’s death reflected the pressure and uncertainty created around one of the country’s biggest entrance tests. He also questioned why Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan continued in office despite repeated controversies around examination management.
In a post on X, he recounted the struggles of Akanksha’s family, saying her father, a farmer, had taken a loan of around Rs 3 lakh through a Kisan Credit Card and worked as a cook in Nagpur to support her coaching and medical ambitions.
He said the family had made sacrifices to help her pursue a medical career, but the alleged paper leak and subsequent cancellation of the examination created uncertainty that proved devastating.
Calling the incident a consequence of systemic failures rather than an isolated tragedy, Rahul alleged that no meaningful reforms had followed repeated controversies.
He claimed that despite investigations, committees and administrative reshuffles, students continued to bear the burden of institutional failures. The Congress leader also accused the government of damaging the country’s education framework over the past decade, arguing that students were being forced to compete in an environment marked by insecurity and mistrust.
Meanwhile, developments continued in the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case, with a Delhi court allowing one of the accused, Yash Yadav, to access study material while in judicial custody ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21.
During proceedings at the Rouse Avenue Court, counsel appearing for Yash Yadav submitted that he intended to appear for the re-examination and required books for preparation.
The court, however, sought clarity on whether the National Testing Agency had formally permitted him to sit for the examination and whether an admit card had been issued.
The court also extended the judicial custody of accused Mangilal Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Yash Yadav and Dhananjay Lokhande till June 15 in connection with the paper leak case.
CBSE under scanner over OSM evaluation system and three language policy rollout
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is facing growing scrutiny over the implementation of two major initiatives: the On Screen Marking (OSM) system for board exam evaluation and the rollout of the three-language policy, with questions being raised about planning, preparedness, and decision-making within the board.
The OSM system, introduced for the evaluation of Class 12 answer sheets, has come under the spotlight following reports that the final contract awarded for the project was significantly more expensive than earlier estimates.
“Reports have raised questions over an increase of nearly Rs. 10 crore in the final contract value compared with earlier estimates, despite what critics describe as a broadly similar scope of work.” The procurement process itself has drawn attention.
The CBSE reportedly issued three separate tenders before finalising a vendor.
While the first tender failed to attract any bids, the second did not result in a technically qualified bidder. The board then revised several technical requirements in a fresh tender issued in August 2025.
Following this process, Hyderabad-based Coempt Edu Teck was selected over Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) after financial bids were evaluated. Questions have also emerged over the manner in which the system was introduced nationwide.
“According to reports, the CBSE’s governing body had recommended pilot projects across regional offices before a nationwide rollout.” The concerns were not limited to administrative recommendations.
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