The Congress party has demanded the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing alleged failures in ensuring the integrity of national examinations amidst a series of paper leak controversies and irregularities. The opposition party contends that these recurring issues are undermining students’ confidence in the examination system and exacerbating distress among young aspirants.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Kanhaiya Kumar, a party leader and the NSUI in-charge, articulated these demands at a press conference held at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters. He pointed out that annually, around the time of the NEET examinations, the nation witnesses controversies linked to paper leaks, leading to significant suffering for students. Kumar asserted that neither the Education Minister nor the government has taken adequate responsibility for these recurrent failures or initiated strict action against the culprits.
The Congress leader claimed that in recent years, more than 80 examination papers have been leaked across various national tests. He specifically referenced recent controversies surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examinations, and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruitment tests. Kumar also highlighted reports of overcrowding at an SSC-GD examination centre as indicative of a broader crisis within the education system, reflecting the government’s inability to conduct examinations smoothly and efficiently.
Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance on the matter, Kumar alleged a lack of accountability following examination controversies. “The Prime Minister discusses examinations before they are held, but remains silent after papers are leaked. Students deserve answers,” he stated, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability from the highest levels of government.
The Congress leader linked the pervasive examination irregularities to the declining well-being of students, suggesting a correlation between the uncertainty and failures within the education system and the rising incidents of student suicides. He argued that repeated paper leaks and administrative lapses are jeopardizing the futures of lakhs of students who are preparing for competitive examinations across the country. The integrity of national tests, he stressed, is paramount for the aspirations of India’s youth.
The functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting several key entrance examinations, also came under sharp criticism. Kumar noted that the agency’s processes and credibility have been repeatedly questioned. He suggested a review of the responsibility for conducting these critical tests if the NTA cannot guarantee free and fair examinations, indicating a need for institutional reform.
In his address, Kumar called for the implementation of more stringent measures to curb examination malpractice. He contended that the existence of laws alone is insufficient unless they are effectively enforced. The party leader demanded swift and stringent action against all individuals involved in paper leak scams and called for the establishment of robust safeguards to protect the sanctity and credibility of national examinations.
When asked about the Supreme Court’s recent verdict concerning Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, Kumar stated that the Congress would issue a separate, official response. However, he broadly commented that a significant challenge confronting the nation is the erosion of public trust in institutions. He also dismissed criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding discussions on leadership within Karnataka, asserting that the Congress would manage its internal organizational matters through its established democratic processes.
Throughout the press briefing, Kumar reiterated that education and employment remain the most critical concerns for India’s youth. He accused the current government of failing to adequately address these fundamental challenges, instead allegedly focusing on publicity and image-building exercises. “The future of students cannot be sacrificed because of administrative failures. The government must ensure accountability and restore confidence in the examination system,” he concluded, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
