The Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) on Monday, 18 May 2026, announced a protest demonstration in Jaipur against the alleged NEET-2026 paper leak and the purported involvement of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in the matter. Congress workers will gherao the BJP State Headquarters on 21 May 2026, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

What Congress Has Alleged

Swarnim Chaturvedi, General Secretary and Media Chairperson of the RPCC, alleged at a press briefing that the NEET-2026 paper leak amounted to 'playing with the future of millions of students' across the country. He held the Central Government and the NTA directly responsible for the alleged irregularity.

Chaturvedi further claimed that investigators had found evidence of BJP leaders' involvement in the alleged leak — an allegation the party has not independently verified. He additionally alleged that those accused in the NEET-2026 case had previously purchased and leaked the NEET-2025 paper, and that the NEET-2024 examination paper was also allegedly leaked — pointing to what the Congress described as a pattern of recurring examination fraud.

Congress Targets NTA and Rajasthan Government

The Congress accused the Central Government of repeatedly failing to take effective action against the NTA despite a string of examination irregularities and paper leak allegations in recent years. Chaturvedi stated that several centrally conducted examinations had witnessed leaks and subsequent cancellations, yet those responsible had not faced strict accountability.

The party also trained its sights on the Rajasthan Government, alleging that despite receiving prior information about the NEET-2026 paper leak, state authorities delayed action and that police did not immediately register a First Information Report (FIR) in the matter.

Protest Route and Timeline

The demonstration, to be led by RPCC President Govind Singh Dotasra, will begin at 10:00 am from the State Congress Headquarters in Jaipur on 21 May 2026. Congress workers will march in procession via Shaheed Smarak before converging on the BJP State Headquarters, where a gherao and demonstration are scheduled for 11:00 am.

Broader Context: A Recurring Crisis

The NEET-2026 allegations come against the backdrop of the NEET-2024 paper leak controversy, which triggered nationwide protests, Supreme Court scrutiny, and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. The NTA was subsequently restructured, but critics argue that systemic safeguards remain inadequate. This is at least the third consecutive year in which NEET — the gateway examination for medical college admissions in India — has faced serious paper leak allegations, raising questions about the integrity of the country's centralised testing architecture.

With the 21 May gherao approaching, all eyes will be on whether the protest galvanises wider student support and whether the Central Government responds with fresh accountability measures for the NTA.