Advise students to focus on studies and not channel energy into protests: AIU tells universities

The recommendation comes in the backdrop of students continuing their protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the 2026 National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) paper leak. Representative file image. | Photo credit: Emmanual Yogini

The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has asked universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) across the country to advise students to remain focused on their studies and discourage them from participating in protests over the recent exam controversies.

The AIU said the prolonged agitations were “at a considerable cost” to the academic progress of students.

In a letter to vice-chancellors and principals of member institutions, president Vinay Kumar Pathak urged universities to deal with students “with empathy” while encouraging them to “remain focused on their academic pursuits and not allow their energies to be diverted by calls for protest”.

The letter, titled “An appeal to encourage students to remain focused on their studies and to place faith in the continued strengthening of the examination system”, acknowledges that students’ concerns are important and says they deserve to be heard with empathy and respect.

But the AIU says the protracted agitation “extorts the highest price from the students themselves”, leading to a disrupted academic environment, distracted preparation and avoidable stress.

The recommendation comes in the backdrop of students continuing their protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2026 paper leak, demanding exam reforms, greater accountability in public examinations and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

“Due to recent concerns over the conduct of certain exams at the national level, a section of students on several campuses are staying out of classes to participate in protests and agitations – at a significant cost to their own studies. This cost is all the more unnecessary when the government is committed to solving the problem and has already conducted the recent NEET exam in a transparent and flawless manner.”

“Therefore, I would earnestly appeal to you to counsel our students with patience, sensitivity and concern for their future to remain focused on their academic pursuits and not allow their energies to be diverted by calls for protest,” he said.

AIU also assured the university fraternity that the government is fully committed to strengthening and reforming the examination system and said students should take confidence from this assurance rather than fearing rumors and speculations.

“The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) himself appealed to the students and assured the nation that all possible steps will be taken to ensure that the future exams are conducted in a completely fair, transparent and safe manner. Our students should take confidence from this assurance rather than fearing rumors and speculations.”

“I request all member universities to engage with students, mentor them and advise them with empathy. I am confident that with your personal attention and compassionate guidance, our campuses will remain calm and focused and our students will devote full energy to their studies and nation building,” the AIU president said.

Published – 22 Jul 2026 22:18 IST