NEET talks inconclusive: Nadda, Jitendra Singh meet CJP reps in Delhi
Synopsis
Two hours of talks between senior Union Ministers and CJP representatives over the NEET paper leak crisis ended without a resolution on 24 July, with the group refusing to drop its demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. The government conceded on two of three demands but sought more time on the resignation call — setting up a make-or-break third round.
Key Takeaways
Union Ministers J.P.
Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh met CJP spokespersons at the Constitution Club of India on 24 July .
Talks lasted nearly two hours but ended inconclusive — the second straight round without a breakthrough.
The government agreed on two CJP demands : compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide, and withdrawal of legal cases against students.
The CJP refused to relent on its third demand — the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan .
The government sought time until Saturday afternoon to respond on the resignation demand; a third round of talks is expected.
The meeting followed social activist Sonam Wangchuk ending his 26-day hunger strike after separate government assurances.
Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh held nearly two hours of discussions with representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi on Friday, 24 July, in a renewed attempt to resolve the standoff over NEET paper leaks and the demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. The talks, however, ended without a resolution, with the CJP holding firm on the resignation demand.
What Was Discussed
The government side was represented by Nadda and Dr Singh, while the CJP sent spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the table. According to Nadda, the CJP placed three main demands and five reform suggestions before the government. The minister said both sides agreed to reconvene the following day.
'The meeting went on for almost two hours. They had three main demands and five reform suggestions. We have told them that we will meet them again tomorrow,' Nadda told reporters after the talks. 'Talks happened in a cordial atmosphere. We heard their grievances in detail,' he added.
Where the Deadlock Stands
The CJP confirmed that the government conceded on two of its three demands — compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide, and withdrawal of legal cases filed against protesting students. The third demand, Pradhan's resignation, remained contested, with the government seeking time until the following afternoon to respond.
'The government has sought time till tomorrow afternoon on our demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. They have agreed on the two demands — one of compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and withdrawal of legal cases on students,' CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said.
Background: Round Two of Talks
This was the second round of Centre-CJP negotiations. It followed an appeal by Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, on Thursday, in which he stated that the government's doors were open for dialogue '24/7' and invited the CJP to set the time and terms of discussion at their convenience. The first round had similarly failed to produce a breakthrough.
Notably, the meeting came a day after social activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike late Thursday night, following government assurances on his own set of demands — a development that added fresh urgency to the Centre's outreach efforts on multiple protest fronts.
What Comes Next
The two sides are expected to meet again, with the government's response on the resignation demand due by Saturday afternoon. Whether the Centre moves on that pivotal ask — or the CJP softens its stance — will determine if the impasse can be broken. The NEET controversy has already drawn sustained political scrutiny, and a third inconclusive round would likely intensify pressure on the Education Ministry.
Point of View
Or whether the government's partial concessions are enough to fracture the coalition of grievances that has kept the NEET controversy alive.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Centre-CJP talks on 24 July?
Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh met CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi on 24 July for nearly two hours. The talks ended without a resolution as the CJP refused to drop its demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
What are the CJP's three demands?
The CJP placed three main demands before the government: resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide, and withdrawal of legal cases filed against protesting students. The government agreed to the latter two but sought more time on the resignation demand.
Why did the CJP refuse to back down on the resignation demand?
The CJP views Pradhan's resignation as central to accountability for the NEET paper leak controversy. Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka indicated the group would not budge on that demand, even as the government conceded on the other two points.
Is this the first time Centre and CJP have held talks?
No — this was the second round of negotiations. The first round also failed to produce a breakthrough. The fresh talks were triggered by an appeal from Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday, in which he invited the CJP to set the time and terms of discussion.
What is the significance of Sonam Wangchuk ending his hunger strike at the same time?
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike late Thursday night after receiving government assurances on his demands. The timing added urgency to the Centre's outreach efforts, as it demonstrated the government's willingness to engage with protest movements — increasing pressure on both sides to find resolution in the NEET standoff as well.
