The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Amid the ongoing controversy over the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, Congress MP-elect Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Sunday, stating that alleged “irregularities” in the examination have affected more than 24 lakh students even before Modi takes office for a new term.
Gandhi assured students that he would be their voice in Parliament, addressing issues related to their future. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Saturday that the education ministry had set up a four-member panel to review the grace marks awarded to more than 1,500 candidates amidst allegations of inflated marks in the NEET-UG exam.
In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi stated, “Narendra Modi has not even taken oath yet, and the irregularities in the NEET exam have devastated more than 24 lakh students and their families.”
He highlighted that six students from a single exam center topped the exam with maximum marks, while many received scores that are technically impossible. Despite this, the government denies the possibility of a paper leak, he said.
Gandhi mentioned that the Congress had developed a robust plan to combat this ‘paper leak industry,’ which operates with the connivance of the education mafia and government machinery. “We had pledged in our manifesto to give students ‘freedom from paper leak’ by making a law,” he added. “Today, I assure all students of the country that I will become your voice in Parliament and strongly raise issues related to your future.”
He asserted that the youth have shown faith in the INDIA bloc, which will ensure their voices are heard and not suppressed.
The NTA has denied any irregularities, attributing the higher marks to changes made in the NCERT textbooks and grace marks for losing time at examination centers. The issue has gained political traction, with several parties questioning the authenticity of the national exam for medical courses.
On Friday, the Congress demanded a high-level investigation under Supreme Court supervision into the alleged “irregularities” in NEET, accusing the BJP of deceiving youngsters and jeopardizing their futures.