Congress General Secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday, 11 May launched a sharp attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over alleged irregularities in the NEET UG 2026 medical entrance examination, asserting that the futures of nearly 23 lakh students had been jeopardised by rampant malpractice. Her remarks came a day after the National Testing Agency (NTA) confirmed it was cooperating with investigating agencies probing alleged irregularities linked to the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) inquiry.

What Priyanka Gandhi Said

In a post on X, the Congress leader accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led dispensation of allowing systemic corruption to persist in competitive examinations over several years. "The rampant corruption in exams over the past several years under the BJP rule is robbing the country's youth of their future. This time too, the future of nearly 23 lakh students has been tampered with," she said.

Gandhi also questioned the effectiveness of the anti-paper-leak legislation passed by Parliament, asking: "What's the use of the so-called stringent law brought in Parliament against paper leaks if the same corruption continues on the ground?" She directly held the Prime Minister accountable, saying: "The Prime Minister is accountable to the country's youth. How long will this cycle of ruining the youth's future go on?"

NTA's Response and the Rajasthan SOG Probe

The NTA stated in an official release that the NEET UG 2026 examination, held on 3 May, was conducted "as scheduled and under a full security protocol" with multiple layers of monitoring. The agency said it received inputs regarding alleged malpractice on 7 May — four days after the exam — and escalated those inputs to central agencies on the morning of 8 May for independent verification and necessary action.

"The NTA places on record its appreciation for the agencies leading this effort and confirms that it is working closely with them in a fully supporting role, providing all examination-related data and technical assistance required," the agency said. Rajasthan investigators are probing claims that a "guess paper" circulated before the exam contained questions that closely matched those on the actual paper.

Delhi Police Rescue 18 NEET Aspirants

In a separate and alarming development, the Delhi Police rescued 18 NEET aspirants from multiple hotels across Delhi NCR on the eve of the examination on 3 May. The students had reportedly been held in confinement by a gang that had collected ₹20–30 lakh each from their parents by falsely promising guaranteed MBBS admissions under management and other quotas. The aspirants were counselled and helped to appear in the exam after their rescue.

A Recurring Pattern of Exam Fraud

This is not an isolated controversy. The NEET UG 2024 examination was engulfed in a nationwide paper-leak scandal that triggered street protests, parliamentary debates, and a Supreme Court hearing. The Centre subsequently enacted legislation to criminalise paper leaks, but critics — including the Congress — argue that enforcement on the ground has remained weak. The latest allegations suggest that despite stricter laws, the infrastructure for examination fraud remains intact, raising questions about systemic reform rather than legislative intent alone.

What Happens Next

Central agencies are continuing their investigation in coordination with the Rajasthan SOG, and further arrests or disclosures are possible. The political pressure on the Centre is likely to intensify in Parliament, with the opposition expected to demand a statement on the integrity of NEET UG 2026 results. The NTA has not indicated any plan to re-conduct the examination at this stage.