Exam Row: Supriya Sule Demands SIT Probe, All-Party Meet on Reforms

NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule on Saturday demanded a time-bound Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into irregularities in competitive examinations and condemned the reported use of police force against protesting students. She also called for an all-party meeting or a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to deliberate on reforms in the education system.

Speaking to reporters, Sule expressed concern over growing student unrest, saying, "Whenever the younger generation of a country is disturbed, it is a matter of concern. We are not doing politics. We want justice for our children and transparent examinations." She added that the newly passed anti-paper leak bill has not satisfied anyone.

The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was passed by both houses of Parliament earlier this week, proposes stricter punishments, including jail terms of five to ten years and fines up to ₹50 lakh. Sule argued that merely increasing penalties would not prevent leaks unless effective safeguards are implemented.

The Baramati MP reiterated her request for an SIT to conduct a transparent, time-bound inquiry into the alleged examination scam and the injustice faced by students, particularly girl students, during protests against the NEET paper leak. She urged the Centre to convene an all-party meeting or constitute a JPC to discuss reforms in education and NEET conduct.

Sule noted that while NEET exams have been affected by repeated paper leaks, the UPSC examinations have not witnessed similar irregularities. She also alleged that education has become commercialised, with many coaching institutes growing into large businesses and even launching initial public offerings (IPOs).

Referring to recent student protests, Sule condemned the alleged use of force by police against demonstrators. "These are India's children. The way students were lathi-charged, and girls were allegedly dragged by their hair, is extremely unfortunate," she said. She stressed that the Centre should take the Opposition into confidence and hold a detailed parliamentary discussion to find a long-term solution to examination-related issues.

Maintaining that the issue should not be politicised, Sule said her party's legal team would extend assistance to students facing legal action over the protests. "We will stand with every affected student, not just as the NCP (SP), but as citizens of India," she stated.