A protest was ongoing at Jantar Mantar since June 20 in protest against the NEET paper leak and irregularities in the education system. It concluded on Saturday after the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Paper leaks in the country are no longer a problem of just one exam or state. It has taken the form of a large organized network spread across the entire country. Based on media reports and government action, at least 116 cases of paper leaks have come to light from 2014 to July 2026.
Approximately 7.5 crore candidates were affected by these cases, and the paper mafia’s network was found to be spread across 19 states. Between 2014 and 2024, 89 cases came to light.
Of these, 21 were related to central institutions and 68 to state-level examinations. Subsequently, 20 cases were registered in 2025, and 7 cases, including NEET-UG, were registered by July 2026.
Protests were held across the country, including Jantar Mantar, regarding paper leaks and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.
65 paper leaks since 2019, recruitment for three lakh government jobs stalled
- Between January 2019 and June 2024, question papers for 65 examinations were leaked in 19 states across the country. These include government recruitment, entrance, board, and university examinations.
- Out of these 65 cases, 45 were related to government recruitment examinations. At least 27 examinations had to be cancelled or postponed due to paper leaks.
- This stalled the recruitment for over three lakh government posts. Teacher and police recruitment examinations were most targeted.
- Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 11 cases. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan recorded nine cases each, Maharashtra six, and Gujarat five.
- Eight recruitment examinations by central bodies like SSC, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, UPSC, Army, ONGC, and Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board had to be cancelled.
- This stretched recruitments by two to eight months. Paper leaks continued in board, recruitment, eligibility, university, and medical entrance exams until 2025-26.
After NEET paper leak, 21 children committed suicide, CJP’s movement and Pradhan’s resignation
A protest was held at Jantar Mantar for 36 days. During this, students brought posters and banners.
After the NEET paper leak, years of pent-up anger among students and youth erupted. An agitation against it began at Jantar Mantar under the leadership of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). During this, the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was demanded over the suicide of 21 children after the paper leak and irregularities in the education system. After 36 days of protest, Pradhan resigned on July 25.
Justice for these children is a great tribute to the daughter
Case-1 : Never thought that the exam would take away our daughter…
Sana’s parents, Sheikh Jafar Hussain and Habibunnisa, whose daughter committed suicide after the NEET paper leak, say-
We never thought that an exam would take away our daughter. We have come to plead with the government, with folded hands, that these children get justice; this will be the greatest tribute to our Sana.
Case-2 : Had committed suicide due to the difficulty of Re-NEET
Misbah’s father Sheikh Khalil says- Will my daughter come back if the education minister resigns? Who will take responsibility to ensure other children don’t take such a horrific step? There should be a discussion on how to remove the flaws in the system.
Case-3: My son was not defeated, the system snatched him away
Kahan’s father Prashant said, my son didn’t leave defeated, this system snatched him away. No other father should have to see his son’s dream shattered like this.
Pradeep’s parents said: If someone else’s son is saved, that will be the true tribute
Gudha Gorji (Jhunjhunu), Rajesh Meghwal, and Sushila Devi, parents of the late NEET aspirant Pradeep Meghwal, a resident of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, welcomed the Education Minister’s resignation.
The father said that if this decision saves the life of any other student in the future, it would be the greatest tribute to his son. Mother Sushila Devi said, “Now such a system should be established that no mother has to cry in front of her son’s picture.”
