CM Sukhu Hits Out at BJP Over Paper Leaks, Cites HP Reforms
Synopsis
HP Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu blamed the BJP-led central government for recurring paper leaks, contrasted it with his administration's dissolution of a corrupt selection board in Himachal Pradesh, and announced free HRTC bus travel for NEET aspirants.
Key Takeaways
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu accused the BJP central government of presiding over repeated paper leak incidents, claiming such events did not occur under Congress rule.
He alleged that during former CM Jairam Thakur's tenure, papers were sold via the HP Subordinate Services Selection Board and the police recruitment paper was leaked, with no investigation ordered.
The Sukhu-led Congress government dissolved the Subordinate Services Selection Board after coming to power in December 2022 and claims to have taken action against those involved.
NEET aspirants in Himachal Pradesh will receive free travel on HRTC buses as a welfare measure announced by the Chief Minister.
The post underscores a wider national debate on examination integrity affecting lakhs of students preparing for competitive and entrance tests.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday, June 20, 2026, launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government over recurring examination paper leaks, drawing a direct contrast with his own administration's record in Himachal Pradesh and announcing free HRTC bus travel for NEET aspirants in the state.
Context
Posting on X in Hindi, CM Sukhu said: 'केंद्र की भाजपा सरकार में पेपर लीक की घटनाएं हो रही हैं' ('Paper leak incidents are happening under the BJP government at the centre'), adding that such incidents did not occur during Congress rule. He called on the central government to 'seriously consider why paper leaks are happening,' invoking the aspirations of 'lakhs of young people who study day and night' with the dream of becoming doctors and serving the country.
The remarks come amid sustained national debate over the integrity of competitive and entrance examinations, with paper leaks having eroded student confidence in recruitment and admission processes across multiple states.
Policy Backdrop
CM Sukhu directly named former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur of the BJP, alleging that during the previous state government's tenure, papers were sold through the Himachal Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Board and that the police recruitment paper was also leaked. He stated that Thakur did not order an investigation at the time.
Following the Congress government's formation in Himachal Pradesh in December 2022, the Sukhu administration dissolved the Subordinate Services Selection Board, citing corruption and paper leak irregularities. Sukhu stated that those involved were sent 'behind bars.' These are claims made by the Chief Minister; the exact timelines and outcomes of related investigations have not been independently established.
Stakeholders and Impact
At the centre of the political dispute are NEET aspirants and government job seekers — students from across Himachal Pradesh who depend on transparent examination systems for their futures. CM Sukhu announced that his government is providing free travel on HRTC buses for NEET candidates, framing it as a student-welfare measure designed to ease the financial burden on exam-goers.
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) operates an extensive bus network across the hill state, and the free-travel benefit is aimed at ensuring that remote and economically weaker students can reach examination centres without added cost.
What's Next
The political pressure from state-level Congress leaders such as CM Sukhu is likely to feed into broader calls for parliamentary debate and central government action on examination reform. The BJP at the centre has faced mounting criticism over the integrity of national-level examinations, and opposition parties have been pushing for a comprehensive overhaul of the examination oversight framework.
For Himachal Pradesh, the rollout of the HRTC free-travel scheme for NEET students will be closely watched as a model for state-level welfare intervention during the examination season, with its actual reach and uptake set to determine its political and policy impact.
Point of View
While simultaneously positioning his administration as reform-minded and student-friendly through the HRTC free-travel announcement. The invocation of former CM Jairam Thakur by name sharpens the local political edge and keeps the HP BJP on the defensive ahead of any future electoral cycle. The welfare measure for NEET students, though modest in scale, is designed to generate goodwill among a demographic — young medical aspirants — whose frustration with examination systems is running high nationally. Taken together, the post reflects a Congress strategy of using central government failures as a mirror to amplify state-level governance contrasts.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Sukhu say about paper leaks in India?
CM Sukhu stated that paper leak incidents are happening under the BJP-led central government and called on it to seriously investigate the reasons, contrasting this with what he described as a cleaner record under Congress rule.
What happened to the HP Subordinate Services Selection Board?
The Sukhu government dissolved the Himachal Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Board after taking office in December 2022, citing corruption and paper leak irregularities, and claims to have sent those involved to jail.
Are NEET students getting free bus travel in Himachal Pradesh?
Yes, the Himachal Pradesh government has announced free travel on HRTC buses for NEET aspirants to help students, especially from remote areas, reach examination centres without financial burden.
What did Sukhu allege against former HP CM Jairam Thakur?
Sukhu alleged that during Jairam Thakur's tenure as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, papers were sold through the Subordinate Services Selection Board and a police recruitment paper was also leaked, and that Thakur did not order an investigation.
Why is the NEET paper leak issue politically significant in India?
Paper leaks in national entrance and recruitment exams affect lakhs of students who invest years preparing, making exam integrity a major public trust and governance issue that opposition parties have used to challenge the ruling BJP at the centre.
