Why is PM Modi not sacking Education Minister Pradhan despite repeated paper leaks, asks Rahul Gandhi

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi speaks through a video message on the recent cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 due to suspected paper leak. (@RahulGandhi/X via PTI Photo)

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan must be removed from the Cabinet for his ministry’s failures, including the recent National Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has demanded. “He (Mr Pradhan) has failed every single age group of Indian students at once,” Mr Gandhi said in a social media post on Sunday (May 17, 2026).

First the NEET paper leak affecting 22 lakh students.

Then CBSE class 12 students get unexpectedly low marks from the dysfunctional OSM system – many of them lose college eligibility.

Now, thousands of CBSE Class 9 students have suddenly requested to learn a new language from July 1, without…

—Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 17, 2026

In a first, the NEET paper leak affected 22 lakh students, the Congress leader said. “Then CBSE Class 12 students were getting unexpectedly low marks from the broken On-Screen Marking (OSM) system – many were disqualified from college. Now thousands of CBSE Class IX students are suddenly asked to learn a new language from July 1, with no teachers, no textbooks and no Class VI books given to 14-year-olds as a fix for ‘Mr.andhi’s transition.’

Editorial | Testing Issues: National Testing Agency, NEET-UG 2026

There were three exams, three age groups and one minister, he said. “Every announcement will throw children deeper into uncertainty. Every failure will go unpunished. The education ministry has become a disaster department,” he said, calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “at least apologize” to the thousands of children whose futures have been ruined by the ministry’s actions.

In 2024, the NEET paper was leaked but the exam was not cancelled, Mr. Gandhi said. “The minister has not resigned. The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has started an investigation. A committee has been formed,” he said. In 2026, when the NEET paper was leaked, the exam was cancelled. “The minister still hasn’t resigned. CBI is investigating again. Another commission will be formed. Mr. Modi, the country is asking you some questions – answer them!” he said.

“Why are there repeated paper leaks? Why are you silent over and over again about this ‘exam debate’? Why don’t you remove the education minister who is repeatedly failing?” said Mr. Gandhi.

Published – 17 May 2026 16:24 IST