Hit the streets: Kejriwal to students on NEET-UG paper leak; protests

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) hit out at the Centre over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2026 paper leak and called on students to take to the streets over the issue. The day was marked by demonstrations by several student outfits against the National Testing Agency (NTA) outside Shastri Bhawan, which houses the Union Education Ministry headquarters.

Also read: NEET-UG 2026 cancelled highlights on May 12, 2026

The former Chief Minister accused the Centre of jeopardising students’ future. “Those who cannot conduct even one examination properly without leaks, how will they run a government?” he said while addressing a press conference at the party headquarters.

“I stand with all those [affected] children. I want to tell the students that they will have to come out on the streets. This government understands only the language of agitation. Kejriwal is with you,” said the AAP chief.

Claiming that NEET papers have been leaked thrice earlier — in 2017, 2021, and 2024 — Mr. Kejriwal alleged collusion at a “very high level”.

“Papers do not get leaked on their own. There is connivance and political patronage. I want to know where the people who leaked the 2017 paper are today. Were they punished? Were those who leaked the 2021 paper punished? Those who leaked the 2024 paper are all out on bail,” he said.

Seeking accountability

Students’ outfits, including the Left-aligned Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), held protests outside demanding accountability from the NTA. Several SFI members were detained and taken away by the police to a location on the outskirts of Delhi.

Aishe Ghosh, the State secretary of SFI (Delhi), said the cancellation of the NEET-UG exam followed a pattern of recurring failures under the NTA. “Since the NTA has taken over the responsibility of conducting national competitive exams such as CUET, NET and NEET, paper leaks have become a norm,” she said. She called for the NTA to be scrapped and for the government to take over the responsibility of conducting examinations. Ms. Ghosh said her organisation will launch a nationwide agitation over the issue in the coming days.

‘Students scared’

Mehina Fatima, joint secretary of the SFI, alleged a nexus between the NTA and private coaching centres. “The [affected] students aren’t here because they are too scared that if they protest against the government, they might not be allowed to retake the exam,” she alleged.

NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a ban on the NTA. “Today’s decision to cancel NEET is a victory of student power and of the voice of lakhs of aspirants across the country,” he said.