Rahul Gandhi Launches Nationwide Campaign Against Competitive Exam Irregularities

Amid ongoing protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scandal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has officially launched a nationwide campaign in Kota, Rajasthan, to address systemic failures in India’s competitive examination process. The event at Kota's Dussehra Maidan focused on the heavy financial and emotional burden placed on families and students who face persistent exam irregularities. Gandhi criticized the central government’s response, characterizing the current exam structure as a rigid system that prioritizes profitability over the future of the nation's youth.

The campaign launch follows the reported suicide of a 22-year-old NEET aspirant in Sikar, marking another tragic loss linked to the ongoing academic crisis. During the event, students shared stories of extreme financial sacrifice, with reports indicating that families collectively spend an estimated ₹1.32 lakh crore annually on coaching and exam preparations. Gandhi highlighted that these costs often necessitate predatory loans, arguing that the government has failed in its fundamental duty to provide a transparent and accessible education system for aspiring professionals.

The event, which included student testimonials, was framed as a non-political welfare gathering but drew immediate criticism from the ruling BJP, which accused Gandhi of politicizing student grievances. Concurrently, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot raised allegations that the Lok Sabha Speaker's office used pressure tactics against local coaching and hostel owners to stifle student attendance. As the June 21 re-examination date approaches, the campaign signals an intensification of the opposition's strategy to leverage the frustration surrounding the National Testing Agency's handling of the NEET crisis.