Daijiworld Media Network: Udupi (NP)

Udupi, May 14: National Students' Union of India Udupi district unit strongly condemned the alleged irregularities and cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, accusing the BJP-led Central government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) of failing to conduct a fair and transparent national examination.

Addressing the media under the leadership of NSUI district president Saurabh Ballal, stated that the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3 was damaged by question paper leaks and large-scale malpractices, forcing authorities to cancel the examination. Nearly 22 lac students across the country were betrayed for the second time in three years due to the failure of the examination system. The dreams of sincere and hardworking students had been “auctioned off to coaching mafias and corrupt officials.”

The NSUI expressed concern over the mental stress faced by aspirants from Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and across Karnataka. According to NSUI, many students had spent over two years preparing for the examination and invested lakhs of rupees in coaching classes, only to face uncertainty and emotional trauma after the cancellation.

NSUI demanded the immediate dissolution of the National Testing Agency, alleging that the agency had repeatedly failed and lost public trust. NSUI further accused the NTA of becoming a “puppet in the hands of coaching mafias.”

Supporting the Karnataka government’s stand against NEET, the student wing said medical admissions should be conducted through Karnataka CET to protect rural and Kannada-medium students. It argued that the centralized NEET system had weakened school education and the federal structure.

Major demands raised by NSUI

. Formation of a Supreme Court-monitored judicial commission to investigate the alleged nexus between coaching mafias and NTA.

. Compensation of Rs 50,000 for every NEET aspirant towards mental stress, travel expenses and coaching costs.

. Resignation of the union education minister, holding him morally responsible for repeated failures.

. Permission for Karnataka to conduct its own medical entrance examination for 85% state quota seats until NEET is abolished.

NSUI Udupi also announced that it would launch district-wide protests in Udupi, Kundapur, Karkala and Brahmavar if justice was delayed. The organization further stated that it would start a helpline for NEET aspirants facing depression and anxiety following the cancellation of the examination.

The student body said a memorandum would be submitted to the Union government through the Udupi Deputy Commissioner and the Udupi Member of Parliament. NSUI accused the Central government of “playing with the future of students for the benefit of private coaching lobbies” and asserted that the agitation would continue until justice was delivered to students.