Delhi Metro all stations reopen after NEET protest closures
Synopsis
All 18 shuttered Delhi Metro stations have reopened after a weekend of security-driven closures tied to the NEET paper leak protests — and the resumption came almost simultaneously with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, marking a dramatic 48 hours at the intersection of student anger, transit disruption, and political accountability.
Key Takeaways
The DMRC confirmed full restoration of services across all Delhi Metro stations on 26 July , with both entry and exit operational.
18 Central Delhi stations — including Rajiv Chowk , Janpath , and New Delhi — had been temporarily closed on Saturday due to security measures during NEET paper leak protests.
The phased reopening began Saturday evening with Janpath , followed by Rajiv Chowk , Mandi House , and Central Secretariat .
Protests near Jantar Mantar demanded accountability over alleged NEET exam irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan .
Pradhan resigned shortly before the full Metro network reopened, citing pain over the controversy and concern about anti-national exploitation of the situation.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Sunday, 26 July confirmed that all stations across the Delhi Metro network have fully resumed operations, with both entry and exit services restored for passengers following temporary security-related closures triggered by intensified student protests over the NEET paper leak controversy. The complete restoration ends a weekend of disruption that had affected 18 stations across Central Delhi.
What DMRC Announced
In a post on X, the DMRC stated: 'Service Update. All stations of the Delhi Metro network are open (both entry and exit) for passenger services.' The advisory marked the conclusion of a phased reopening that had begun on Saturday evening, when entry gates at Janpath Metro station were first restored, followed by Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat stations.
Which Stations Were Affected
On Saturday, the DMRC had announced the temporary suspension of entry and exit services at 18 stations until further notice. The affected stations included Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhambha Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, Shivaji Stadium, Jhandewalan, and New Delhi. The closures were concentrated in the heart of the capital, where protest activity near Jantar Mantar was at its peak.
The NEET Protest Backdrop
The security restrictions were imposed amid large-scale nationwide demonstrations demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET medical entrance examination, including calls for strict action against those responsible for the paper leak and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protests, which drew student demonstrators to central locations across the country, prompted authorities to heighten security arrangements around key government and transit hubs in New Delhi.
Notably, the full reopening of Metro stations came shortly after Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation as Union Education Minister. Pradhan said he was 'deeply pained by the developments of the past 10 days' and expressed concern that anti-national forces could exploit the situation arising from the examination controversy.
Impact on Commuters and What Comes Next
The temporary closures disrupted thousands of daily commuters who rely on the Delhi Metro as their primary mode of transport across the capital. The phased restoration — beginning with individual stations on Saturday evening and culminating in a full network reopening on Sunday — provided gradual relief before services were fully normalised. With all stations now operational, commuters can expect regular services to continue, subject to any further developments in the ongoing NEET controversy and associated public order situation.
Point of View
Which no ministerial exit automatically delivers. The risk now is that the resignation becomes a pressure valve that dissipates momentum without producing the systemic reforms — in exam administration and oversight — that students are actually demanding.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Delhi Metro stations closed on 26 July 2024?
The DMRC temporarily suspended entry and exit services at 18 stations across Central Delhi due to heightened security arrangements amid large-scale student protests near Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak . The closures were a precautionary measure to manage public order around key government and transit hubs.
Which Delhi Metro stations were closed during the NEET protests?
The 18 affected stations included Lok Kalyan Marg , Rajiv Chowk , Patel Chowk , Ramakrishna Ashram Marg , Barakhambha Road , Supreme Court , Seva Teerth , Janpath , Mandi House , Central Secretariat , ITO , Delhi Gate , Indraprastha , Khan Market , Jor Bagh , Shivaji Stadium , Jhandewalan , and New Delhi .
When did Delhi Metro fully reopen after the NEET protest closures?
The DMRC confirmed full restoration of services — both entry and exit — across all stations on Sunday, 26 July . The reopening was phased, beginning with Janpath station on Saturday evening before expanding to the full network.
Did Dharmendra Pradhan resign over the NEET paper leak?
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation amid nationwide protests linked to the NEET paper leak controversy. He stated he was 'deeply pained by the developments of the past 10 days' and wanted to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting the situation.
What is the NEET paper leak controversy?
The NEET paper leak controversy refers to alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) , India's medical college entrance examination, including claims that question papers were leaked before the exam. The controversy triggered nationwide student protests demanding accountability and a re-examination.
