Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, May 14: Telangana chief minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday strongly criticised the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, stating that repeated examination leaks have effectively “demonetised” the future of students across the country.
In his first public reaction after the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, the Chief Minister said the integrity and credibility of national-level competitive exams must be protected at all costs and demanded strict action against those responsible for the leak.
In a social media post, Revanth Reddy alleged that the failures of governments led by the BJP and the BRS reflected “betrayal, organised corruption and administrative collapse.”
“The cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination has caused enormous distress and uncertainty among lakhs of students and parents across India,” he said.
He pointed out that nearly 22.79 lakh students had appeared for the examination conducted on May 3 across 551 cities in India and 14 international locations, only to face uncertainty again because of alleged irregularities and paper leaks.
“The credibility of national examinations must be protected at all costs. Any individuals or networks involved in paper leaks or corruption must face the strictest punishment, irrespective of their influence or position,” the Chief Minister stated.
Revanth Reddy also said that students prepare for examinations like NEET under immense emotional, academic and financial pressure, and such incidents undermine the trust of aspiring candidates and parents.
“Competitive examinations should become instruments of opportunity and merit, not anxiety and uncertainty,” he remarked.
The Telangana government, he said, stands firmly with affected students and parents and urged the Union Government along with the National Testing Agency to carry out a transparent, time-bound, and credible investigation into the matter.
He further demanded stronger institutional safeguards, technological protections, and accountability mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Youth Congress staged protests against the alleged NEET paper leak on Wednesday.
Party workers and leaders, led by Youth Congress state president Jakkidi Shivacharan Reddy, organised demonstrations and burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, demanding their resignation on moral grounds over the controversy.