Delhi Metro shuts 18 stations on July 25 amid NEET protest tensions
Synopsis
The DMRC shut 18 central Delhi metro stations — including Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, and Khan Market — from 7:30 am on 25 July, as NEET paper leak protests at Jantar Mantar forced sweeping security measures. With no reopening time announced, the closure marks one of the largest single-day metro suspensions in recent memory tied to student demonstrations.
Key Takeaways
The DMRC announced closure of 18 metro stations in central New Delhi from 7:30 am, Saturday 25 July , until further notice.
The shutdown is linked to NEET paper leak protests centred at Jantar Mantar , drawing large crowds of students, parents, and activists.
Interchange facilities remain available at Rajiv Chowk , Mandi House , and Central Secretariat .
Airport Express Line services are restricted to the Dhaula Kuan–Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 corridor.
Security agencies are expected to intensify deployment around closed stations and protest sites.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Friday, 24 July announced the closure of 18 metro stations across central New Delhi from 7:30 am on Saturday, 25 July, until further notice, citing operational requirements linked to heightened security arrangements around ongoing student protests. The move directly affects some of the busiest interchange points in the national capital.
Stations Affected
The 18 stations ordered shut are 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 cluster covers the heart of the city, including government, judicial, and commercial hubs.
Despite the closures, the DMRC confirmed that interchange facilities will remain operational at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat to preserve cross-network connectivity for essential commuters.
Airport Express Line Curtailed
Services on the Airport Express Line will be restricted to the stretch between Dhaula Kuan and Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25. Passengers travelling to or from Indira Gandhi International Airport are advised to make alternate arrangements for the affected segment.
Why the Shutdown Was Ordered
Officials said the decision was taken to regulate crowd movement and maintain law and order in sensitive areas of central Delhi, where thousands of students, parents, and activists have converged to protest the NEET paper leak controversy. Jantar Mantar, located in close proximity to several of the shuttered stations, has emerged as the epicentre of the agitation, with demonstrators demanding accountability and systemic reforms in the national examination process.
Security agencies are expected to intensify deployment around closed stations and protest sites to prevent any untoward incidents. This is not the first time the DMRC has suspended services in response to large-scale civil demonstrations in the capital — similar shutdowns were enforced during protests in 2019 and 2020.
Impact on Commuters
The DMRC expressed regret over the inconvenience and urged passengers to plan their journeys in advance. The affected stations collectively handle hundreds of thousands of daily commuters, and the Saturday morning closure is expected to cause significant disruption, particularly for weekend travellers and those with early airport connections.
With no fixed reopening time announced, commuters are advised to monitor official DMRC channels for updates as the situation develops.
Point of View
Rajiv Chowk — signals that authorities are treating the NEET agitation as a significant public-order event, not a routine demonstration. What deserves scrutiny is the use of 'operational reasons' as the stated rationale when the actual driver is crowd control: a framing that obscures accountability and makes it harder for commuters to assess when services will resume. Metro shutdowns during protests have historically been a blunt instrument; they inconvenience ordinary commuters far more than they contain determined protesters, who simply reroute. The NEET controversy itself — a systemic failure in one of India's highest-stakes examinations — remains unresolved, and the scale of Saturday's mobilisation suggests the protest movement has momentum that a metro closure is unlikely to diffuse.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Delhi Metro stations are closed on 25 July 2025?
A total of 18 stations are closed: 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 closure begins at 7:30 am and has no fixed end time.
Why has the DMRC shut metro stations on 25 July?
The DMRC cited operational reasons, but officials confirmed the decision is linked to large-scale student protests over the NEET paper leak controversy at Jantar Mantar. The shutdowns are intended to regulate crowd movement and maintain law and order in central Delhi.
Can commuters still interchange between metro lines on 25 July?
Yes. Despite the closures, interchange facilities will remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat stations to preserve connectivity across the metro network.
How does the closure affect the Airport Express Line?
Airport Express Line services will only run between Dhaula Kuan and Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25. Passengers travelling to or from Indira Gandhi International Airport should make alternate arrangements for the affected segment.
What is the NEET paper leak controversy behind the protests?
The NEET paper leak controversy refers to allegations that question papers for India's national medical entrance examination were compromised before the test, prompting widespread student protests demanding accountability and reforms in the examination system. Jantar Mantar in central Delhi has become the focal point of the agitation.
