Congress alleges UP students sell blood to fund education, cites scholarship cuts
Synopsis
Congress has alleged that financially distressed students in Uttar Pradesh are being induced to sell blood through middlemen near a Prayagraj blood bank — paid ₹4,000–₹5,000 per unit — while the Centre's SC scholarship fund for the state reportedly dropped by over ₹308 crore in a single year. The allegations combine systemic policy failure with on-the-ground exploitation, making this one of the more striking Opposition attacks on the UP government in recent months.
Key Takeaways
Congress alleged on 28 October 2026 that financially vulnerable Uttar Pradesh students are being forced to sell blood to fund education and hostel costs.
Middlemen near the Allahabad Medical Association blood bank in Prayagraj allegedly paid students ₹4,000–₹5,000 per unit, charging recipients up to ₹8,000 .
The Centre's post-matric SC scholarship fund for UP reportedly fell from ₹674.83 crore in 2023-24 to ₹366.02 crore in 2024-25 .
Nearly five lakh SC/ST students in UP have allegedly been deprived of scholarships, according to Rajendra Pal Gautam .
Congress alleged an average of 132 student suicides per month in the state and cited multiple examination paper leaks and recruitment test cancellations since 2018 .
The Indian National Congress on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, levelled sharp accusations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that financially vulnerable students were being forced to sell their blood to meet the costs of education, coaching and hostel accommodation. The allegations were raised at a press conference at the Congress office in New Delhi.
The Blood-Selling Allegations
Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam referred to a sting operation by a media organisation that allegedly exposed the exploitation of economically distressed students in Prayagraj. He claimed that middlemen operating near the blood bank of the Allahabad Medical Association were identifying financially struggling hostel residents and inducing them to sell blood using forged documents.
According to Gautam, students were paid between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000 per unit of blood, while recipients were charged as much as ₹8,000. He warned that repeated blood donation could pose serious health risks and questioned why students had been pushed to such extremes to continue their education.
Scholarship Cuts and Falling Central Funds
Gautam also claimed that nearly five lakh Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in Uttar Pradesh had been deprived of scholarships. He said the Centre's contribution towards post-matric scholarships for SC students in the state had reportedly fallen from ₹674.83 crore in 2023-24 to ₹366.02 crore in 2024-25 — a decline of over ₹308 crore in a single year. He also criticised the government for allegedly not revising scholarship income eligibility criteria or increasing financial assistance in line with inflation.
Exam Irregularities and Student Suicides
The Congress leaders also raised concerns over alleged examination paper leaks and recruitment test cancellations since 2018, claiming these had repeatedly undermined students' preparation and long-term career prospects. Citing figures on student suicides, Gautam alleged that an average of 132 students died by suicide every month in the state — a claim that, if verified, would represent a grave public health crisis.
National media coordinator Abhay Dubey accused the BJP government of failing to protect students' interests, alleging that 'examination scams' and the rising cost of education were pushing young people into distress. He also called for accountability over alleged links between individuals associated with those in power and paper-leak cases.
Broader Context
This comes amid a wider national conversation about the state of student welfare and examination integrity in India. Uttar Pradesh, home to one of the country's largest student populations, has faced scrutiny over examination board controversies and the administration of scholarship schemes for marginalised communities. The Congress allegations, while yet to be independently verified in full, add political weight to concerns that have circulated in civil society for some time.
The BJP government in Uttar Pradesh had not issued a formal response to the specific allegations as of the time of reporting. How the state administration responds — particularly to the scholarship funding data and the Prayagraj blood-bank claims — is likely to determine whether the issue gains further legislative traction.
Point of View
If even partially borne out, represent a systemic indictment rather than an isolated scandal. A ₹308 crore single-year drop in SC scholarship funding is a verifiable figure that the BJP government will need to address on the record — political denial will not suffice. The blood-selling claim is explosive but rests on a media sting whose methodology has not been independently audited; responsible coverage demands verification rather than amplification. More troubling is the 132-suicides-per-month figure: if accurate, it dwarfs most other student welfare crises in the country, yet it has attracted little sustained policy attention. The Opposition's challenge is to convert press-conference allegations into parliamentary questions, CAG referrals, and judicial petitions — that is the only path from outrage to accountability.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly has Congress alleged about UP students selling blood?
Congress leaders alleged that financially distressed students in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Prayagraj, were being induced by middlemen near the Allahabad Medical Association blood bank to sell blood using forged documents. Students were allegedly paid ₹4,000–₹5,000 per unit while recipients were charged up to ₹8,000.
How much has the UP scholarship fund been cut, according to Congress?
According to Congress leader Rajendra Pal Gautam, the Centre's contribution towards post-matric scholarships for SC students in Uttar Pradesh fell from ₹674.83 crore in 2023-24 to ₹366.02 crore in 2024-25 — a reduction of over ₹308 crore. He also claimed that nearly five lakh SC and ST students in the state had been deprived of scholarships.
What did Congress say about student suicides in Uttar Pradesh?
Congress alleged that an average of 132 students died by suicide every month in Uttar Pradesh. This figure, if verified, would represent a significant public health crisis; it has not been independently confirmed at the time of reporting.
What other issues did Congress raise about UP's education system?
Beyond the blood-selling allegations, Congress raised concerns over repeated examination paper leaks, recruitment test cancellations since 2018, and the failure to revise scholarship income eligibility criteria in line with inflation. National media coordinator Abhay Dubey also called for accountability over alleged links between people associated with those in power and paper-leak cases.
Has the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh responded to the allegations?
As of the time of reporting, the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh had not issued a formal response to the specific allegations made by Congress at the New Delhi press conference on 28 October 2026.
