NEET paper leak protests reach Jaipur as students demand accountability
Synopsis
What started as a student sit-in at Delhi's Jantar Mantar has become a multi-state agitation. Jaipur's Patrika Gate is now a protest flashpoint, Rajasthan MLAs are joining the Delhi demonstrations, and PM Modi has been forced to address paper leaks on video — signalling that the NEET crisis has outgrown any single city or institution.
Key Takeaways
Students gathered at Patrika Gate, Jaipur on 24 July , demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak .
Protesters called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan .
The Delhi agitation at Jantar Mantar has been ongoing since 20 June , drawing support from politicians, celebrities, and activists.
Independent MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati and former Rajasthan University Students' Union president Nirmal Chaudhary joined the Delhi protest in solidarity.
PM Narendra Modi addressed the paper leak issue, citing fast-track courts and stricter legal provisions as remedies.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after talks with Union Ministers J.P.
Anti-NEET paper leak demonstrations that began at Delhi's Jantar Mantar have spread to Jaipur, with scores of students and competitive exam aspirants gathering at Patrika Gate near Jawahar Circle on Friday, 24 July to demand a transparent investigation and systemic reforms in the examination process.
What Happened in Jaipur
Protesters at Patrika Gate carried banners and placards calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and strict action against those allegedly responsible for the NEET paper leak. The demonstration remained peaceful, with students reiterating demands for fair recruitment processes and accountability within the examination system.
Rajasthan Leaders Join Delhi Agitation
Two of Rajasthan's prominent young leaders also joined the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital. Independent MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati, who represents the Sheo Assembly constituency in Barmer district, and Nirmal Chaudhary, former president of the Rajasthan University Students' Union, reached the protest site to express solidarity with agitating students. Both leaders urged the NDA government at the Centre to address student concerns through dialogue.
Their visit came days after police reportedly used lathi-charges and tear gas against demonstrators at the site. The protesters had been marching towards Parliament when they allegedly faced shock baton charges and tear gas from police and RAF personnel, according to reports.
The Broader Movement
Student and youth organisations have been protesting at Jantar Mantar since 20 June over the NEET paper leak and examination irregularities — a movement that has now continued for nearly a month. The agitation has drawn support from politicians, sportspersons, Bollywood celebrities, activists, and citizens across the country. The developments in Delhi have since triggered similar demonstrations in several states, with Rajasthan now among the most visible.
Government Response and PM Modi's Remarks
In a related development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the paper leak issue in a video message, outlining measures that include stricter legal provisions, fast-track courts for paper leak cases, and steps to strengthen the integrity of the examination system. Separately, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day indefinite hunger strike late on Thursday after holding discussions with Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh, breaking his fast by drinking juice in their presence. Prime Minister Modi subsequently wished Wangchuk good health in a social media post.
With protests now spanning multiple states, pressure on the Centre to act decisively on examination reform is expected to intensify in the days ahead.
Point of View
Fast-track courts and stricter laws, addresses the symptom rather than the structural failure: a centralised, high-stakes exam architecture with inadequate security controls. The fact that an Independent MLA from Barmer felt compelled to travel to Delhi underscores how deeply the paper leak has cut into aspirational India. If the Centre does not move beyond video messages to concrete, verifiable reform, the protests will keep multiplying — and the political cost will compound.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are students protesting over the NEET paper leak?
Students are protesting because the NEET undergraduate medical entrance examination was allegedly compromised by a paper leak, raising serious doubts about the fairness of the results. Aspirants and youth organisations argue that the leak has robbed thousands of legitimate candidates of their rightful opportunities.
Where are the NEET paper leak protests taking place?
The primary protest site is Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where demonstrations have continued since 20 June 2024. The agitation has since spread to Jaipur, where students gathered at Patrika Gate near Jawahar Circle on 24 July, and to several other states.
What are the protesters demanding?
Protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, strict legal action against those responsible for the alleged paper leak, a transparent investigation, and systemic reforms to ensure fair and secure examination processes.
How has the government responded to the NEET protests?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue in a video message, outlining measures including stricter legal provisions, fast-track courts for paper leak cases, and steps to strengthen examination integrity. However, protesters have not yet called off the agitation, citing the need for concrete action.
Who are Ravindra Singh Bhati and Nirmal Chaudhary, and why did they join the protest?
Ravindra Singh Bhati is an Independent MLA representing the Sheo Assembly constituency in Barmer district, Rajasthan. Nirmal Chaudhary is the former president of the Rajasthan University Students' Union. Both travelled to Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with protesting students and urged the Centre to engage in dialogue to address their concerns.
