Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday slammed the Union government’s decision to cancel the NEET-UG 2026 exam following the alleged leak of the question paper. He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologize to the students and sought the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
In a statement to the media, the chief minister called the cancellation of the NEET examination an “administrative failure” by the Modi government. He said the Center had failed to protect the interests of talented students and added that Mr. Pradhan should be held accountable for the paper leak and removed from the Union Cabinet.
More than 22 thousand students appeared for the exam across the country, including more than one thousand candidates from Karnataka.
The Chief Minister said that parents have spent a lot of expenses on training, travel and other arrangements for their children’s future, but the Centre’s decision has left the students in a state of uncertainty and distress.
Recalling the state government’s earlier opposition to NEET, Mr. Siddaramaiah said in 2024, Karnataka had argued that the exam would be unfair to rural and economically weaker students. He also said that NEET has curtailed the rights of states in conducting entrance exams, adding that the Common Entrance Test (CET) in Karnataka, which has been successfully conducted for more than a decade, has become a model for the rest of the country.
He noted that the state had passed a resolution in July 2024 against the Centre’s decision to conduct NEET and demanded restoration of the states’ powers to conduct such entrance exams under the federal framework.
The Chief Minister called for a transparent and time-bound inquiry into the question paper leak and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Dress code
Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the revised dress code has been introduced in schools and colleges across the state in accordance with the constitutional principle of equal respect for all religions.
“This is not a dress code to please or hurt anyone, but a dress code that respects the practices and traditions of all castes and religions,” he said.
“It is natural for those who divide society on the basis of caste and religion to feel pain. Let them first look within themselves and do some introspection,” the chief minister said, apparently referring to the opposition BJP.
When the sacred thread (janivara) was removed in one or two places and when Muslim girl students wore hijab in one or two schools in Udupi, these BJP leaders tried to set the entire Karnataka on fire with communal hatred. Can’t they see the tears of students who are crying because of the cancellation of NEET exam? he asked.
The dress code introduced in state educational institutions is in line with the dress code followed in Kendriya Vidyalayas under the control of the Union Government. Those who are against the dress code issued by the state government should also oppose the dress code of Kendriyi Vidyalayas. Why this hypocrisy?
“If allowing the hijab means reconciling Muslims, does allowing the sacred thread, turban or traditional head covering mean reconciling these respective religions?” asked the Chief Minister.
Published – 14 May 2026 19:32 IST
