Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday, 15 May launched a sharp offensive over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy, demanding the dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and a comprehensive Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe covering examinations held in 2024, 2025, and 2026. The senior Indian National Congress (INC) leader made the remarks in Jaipur, reacting to fresh reports of suspected irregularities in NEET-2025.

What Gehlot Demanded

Gehlot alleged that exam papers had been leaked “in one form or another” on multiple occasions, accusing authorities of repeatedly failing students who depend on NEET for medical admissions. He called for a single consolidated inquiry covering all three examination cycles.

“If they truly have the courage, they should order a comprehensive enquiry into all these exams. The case should be handed over to the CBI. Once the incidents from the previous dates are also included in the investigation, the truth will come out automatically,” Gehlot said.

Attack on the NTA

Gehlot questioned the very existence of the NTA, arguing that repeated controversies — from paper leaks to alleged OMR sheet tampering — have eroded public confidence in centrally conducted competitive examinations. “The NTA should be disbanded. When papers are repeatedly getting leaked, when you are unable to stop it, and when examinations cannot be conducted properly, then the authority should be returned to the states,” he said.

He argued that state governments had historically conducted such examinations more effectively and with greater accountability. Notably, this is not the first time decentralisation of exam conduct has been raised — similar demands surfaced after the NEET-UG 2024 controversy, which led to a Supreme Court hearing and a government-ordered review of the NTA’s functioning.

The Same Network, Gehlot Claims

Gehlot alleged continuity in the alleged malpractice network, suggesting that individuals who benefited from earlier leaks may be active again. “The people involved earlier are the same people involved now. Whenever such scams happen under their watch, whether paper leaks or OMR sheet tampering, their approach shows complete indifference towards the public,” he claimed.

These are allegations and have not been independently verified. The government has not formally confirmed any leak in NEET-2025 at the time of writing.

Broader Political Charge

Gehlot used the controversy to broaden his attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government, accusing it of prioritising religious rhetoric over governance. “They have absolutely no interest in good governance. Their sole focus is on talking about Hindus to win elections,” he said, calling religion-based politics “a threat to democracy.”

When asked about Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reportedly indicating that NEET examinations may shift online in future, Gehlot declined a direct comment but made pointed references to Pradhan’s alleged role in the Manesar incident, saying, “Only time will tell whether he will actually be able to implement organising of online exams.”

Political Context and What Comes Next

Gehlot’s remarks come amid sustained Opposition pressure over alleged irregularities in national competitive examinations. The NEET-UG 2024 controversy had already triggered street protests, a parliamentary debate, and a government reshuffle of NTA leadership. With fresh allegations surfacing around NEET-2025, the political temperature around exam integrity is rising again. All eyes are now on whether the Centre will order a CBI inquiry or defend the NTA’s continued operation.