Students’ Federation of India (SFI) activists staged a protest in Shimla on Thursday, voicing strong opposition to the National Testing Agency (NTA) regarding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination irregularities. The demonstrators called for the resignation of the Union Education Minister and demanded immediate reforms in the examination system.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Himachal Pradesh State Committee of the SFI organized a significant demonstration in Shimla, expressing their anger over the perceived administrative incompetence and lack of accountability within the NTA. The protestors also sought the dissolution of the NTA, decentralization of examination processes, withdrawal of the CBSE On Screen Marking (OSM) system, and stringent action against individuals found guilty of exam malpractices. Additionally, the SFI demanded an impartial judicial inquiry into the irregularities and compensation for the students affected by these issues.
Anil Thakur, State President of the SFI, addressed the gathering and stated that the NTA has, over the years, become synonymous with administrative failure and a complete absence of accountability. He highlighted that recurrent incidents of paper leaks, exam cancellations, technical glitches, and other malpractices have severely eroded the credibility of national-level examinations. These failures, Thakur asserted, have left millions of students across Himachal Pradesh and other states in a state of uncertainty regarding their academic futures.
The SFI leader further elaborated on the systemic crisis, pointing to the recent controversies surrounding the NEET-UG paper leak, the cancellation of the UGC-NET examination, and persistent irregularities in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) and other assessments. He emphasized that behind every cancelled examination and paper leak are the aspirations, years of dedicated effort, and the futures of countless students. The continued operation of the NTA despite these repeated failures, he argued, reflects the Central Government’s indifference towards the concerns of the student community.
Thakur cited data indicating that approximately 89 incidents of paper leaks have been reported nationwide in the past decade. The recent issues with NEET-UG 2026 have, once again, cast serious doubts on the integrity of the examination framework and the agencies responsible for its conduct. He concluded that these events unequivocally prove the NTA’s failure to establish and maintain a reliable, transparent, and equitable examination system for students.
The SFI also directed criticism towards the Union Education Minister and the Central Government, alleging that instead of directly addressing the escalating problems, the government has consistently attempted to deflect responsibility and silence student dissent. The organization vowed to escalate its protests and announced plans to participate in a march towards the Ministry of Education in New Delhi on June 19, aiming to further press their demands for systemic reform and accountability.
The NEET-UG examination, a crucial gateway for medical aspirants in India, has been the subject of intense scrutiny following allegations of widespread irregularities and a paper leak. The Union government has acknowledged the concerns and has initiated steps to address the issues, including the formation of committees to recommend reforms in the NTA’s functioning. The Supreme Court is also actively hearing petitions related to the examination’s integrity and has sought responses from the government and the NTA.
The NTA, established in 2017, was mandated to conduct entrance examinations for admission to higher education institutions. Its responsibilities include conducting NEET, JEE Main, CUET, UGC-NET, and other national-level tests. However, since its inception, the agency has faced criticism and controversy over various examination-related issues, leading to repeated calls for its overhaul or dissolution from student bodies and educational experts.
The SFI’s protest in Shimla is part of a broader nationwide movement by student organizations demanding transparency and fairness in public examinations. Similar demonstrations have been reported in other parts of the country, reflecting widespread student dissatisfaction with the current examination system. The ongoing developments underscore the significant challenges in ensuring the integrity and credibility of large-scale competitive examinations in India.
The Chenab Times News Desk