Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday, 16 May 2025, called for accountability in competitive examinations after a 22-year-old NEET-UG aspirant, Ritik Mishra, allegedly died by suicide at his residence in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination over paper leak allegations. The incident has reignited a national debate over the recurring crisis in India's high-stakes medical entrance testing system.

What Happened in Lakhimpur Kheri

According to Ritik's family, he had appeared for the NEET-UG examination in Kanpur on 3 May 2025 and returned home feeling confident about his performance. When the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the examination days later — citing allegations of a paper leak from multiple centres — Ritik reportedly fell into severe mental distress. Local authorities are currently probing the circumstances of his death.

Priyanka Gandhi's Reaction

Reacting to the incident in a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi described the death as 'extremely heartbreaking' and extended her condolences to Ritik's family. 'My deepest condolences to Ritik's grief-stricken parents and family,' she wrote. She further said, 'According to the aggrieved family, Ritik was under severe mental stress due to the cancellation of the NEET exam. The rampant corruption in examinations is claiming the lives of our youth. Every year, the futures of lakhs of students are being ruined.' She pointedly asked, 'When will this chain of events stop? When will accountability be fixed?'

The NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Crisis

The NTA cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination, originally conducted on 3 May 2025, after paper leak allegations surfaced from multiple examination centres across the country. The re-examination has been scheduled for 21 June 2025. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently probing the alleged leak, including how the question paper was circulated. So far, the agency has conducted multiple raids across several states and arrested seven individuals in connection with the case.

Government's Response and Systemic Reform

The Union Education Minister announced on Friday that NEET would transition to a computer-based examination format from next year, citing the need to make the process more secure and eliminate opportunities for malpractice. The announcement comes amid mounting public pressure following a pattern of exam-related irregularities that has rattled student confidence. Notably, this is not the first time the NEET process has faced allegations of leaks and cancellations, with similar controversies having surfaced in previous cycles.

Broader Impact on Students

Priyanka Gandhi's intervention underscores the psychological toll that examination cancellations impose on lakhs of aspirants and their families nationwide. Students who prepare for years for a single high-stakes test face compounded anxiety when the process itself is compromised. Mental health advocates and student groups have repeatedly flagged the absence of structured support mechanisms for aspirants caught in such institutional failures. With the re-examination now set for 21 June, students and families await clarity on whether the system will hold.