AIDSO stages protest in Hassan over NEET-UG paper leak, demands action against NTA and Education Minister

Members of the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) held a protest in Hassan, Karnataka, on Wednesday, June 17, over the recent controversy surrounding the NEET-UG examination. The demonstrators demanded the dismissal of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging lapses in the handling of the exam.

The protest took place near the Hemavathi Statue, adjacent to Maharaja Park in the city. According to the participants, the government's handling of the examination process forced a large number of students to appear for the test amid allegations of a question paper leak. The protesters claimed that reports of a possible leak had emerged before the exam date, yet the NTA proceeded with the scheduled test.

Chaitra U.K., president of the AIDSO Hassan district unit, stated that similar leaks were reported in 2022 and 2024. She acknowledged that arrests were made in connection with the 2024 leak but argued that the system failed to identify and address the root cause of the problem in the current year.

AIDSO district secretary Sushma D.S. raised concerns about the rapid growth of coaching institutions and the financial burden on families. She noted that the NEET coaching industry had grown to an estimated annual revenue of over ₹1 lakh crore, with families spending between ₹80,000 and ₹3 lakh per year on such services. She alleged that this ecosystem was exploiting students.

Other AIDSO office-bearers, including Abhishek, Shreshtha, Shivu, and another Abhishek, were present at the protest. The demonstration was peaceful, and no untoward incidents were reported.

The NEET-UG is a nationwide entrance examination for medical colleges. Any disruption or alleged malpractice in the process carries significant implications for hundreds of thousands of aspirants and their families. The NTA, which conducts the exam, has previously faced scrutiny over the integrity of the testing process. The Union Education Ministry oversees the agency's functioning.

As of now, there has been no official response from the NTA or the Ministry of Education regarding the specific demands made during the Hassan protest. The matter is likely to add to ongoing debates about examination reforms and the role of coaching institutions in the country.