Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on National Democratic Alliance (NDA) lawmakers to reconnect with young people, address their concerns over examination irregularities and help restore confidence in the country’s education system as the government faces mounting pressure over the NEET paper leak controversy.
Speaking during the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting in New Delhi, Modi emphasised that the interests of students must remain a national priority and instructed party leaders to actively engage with the youth while countering what he described as political attempts to spread fear and misinformation.
The prime minister’s remarks marked his first detailed response to the nationwide controversy surrounding the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, which has triggered widespread student protests, opposition criticism and renewed debate over the credibility of India’s competitive examination system.
According to people familiar with the meeting, Modi said those responsible for examination leaks should receive the strictest possible punishment to ensure that similar incidents never occur again.
He described paper leaks as a serious threat to the future of young people and stressed that no individual should be allowed to manipulate examinations or jeopardise the careers of students.
The prime minister reportedly told NDA lawmakers that students should be assured their interests would be protected and that legal action against those involved would be pursued vigorously.
He also encouraged party representatives to explain the government’s actions to young people and challenge what he characterised as opposition efforts to exploit the issue for political purposes.
Modi said examination paper leaks were not limited to one region but had affected multiple states over the years.
He described the problem as a nationwide criminal network operated by organised groups and insisted that every individual involved should face strong legal consequences.
According to participants at the meeting, Modi praised the government’s immediate response after allegations of irregularities emerged.
He noted that law enforcement agencies had already arrested several suspects and said swift action had been taken to minimise disruption to students.
The government also prioritised holding a fresh NEET-UG examination under tighter security arrangements to ensure that candidates could continue their academic plans without unnecessary delay.
The re-examination was successfully conducted and the results were announced within a relatively short period.
Modi’s comments came only a day after one of the largest student demonstrations of his third term in office.
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and comprehensive reforms to the examination system.
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The march towards Parliament resulted in clashes between demonstrators and police after security forces used tear gas, batons and barricades to prevent protesters from advancing.
The confrontation triggered widespread criticism from opposition parties, student organisations, activists and several public figures.
Inside Parliament, opposition lawmakers also attempted to corner the government over the examination controversy, making it one of the dominant political issues of the Monsoon Session.
During the NDA meeting, Modi urged lawmakers not to focus only on the controversy but also to celebrate the achievements of India’s young people.
He highlighted the growing contributions of Indian youth in sectors such as artificial intelligence, information technology and space exploration.
As an example, he referred to the success of Skyroot Aerospace and its Vikram-1 launch vehicle, India’s first privately developed orbital rocket.
Modi said the accomplishments of young innovators demonstrated the country’s potential and argued that such individuals should become role models for future generations.
He suggested that today’s talented young professionals would achieve even greater milestones over the course of their careers.
The remarks were widely interpreted as an indirect political response to opposition criticism and an attempt to shift attention towards positive examples of youth achievement.
Following the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju briefed reporters on the discussions.
He said the prime minister had assured NDA members that protecting students remained one of the government’s highest priorities.
According to Rijiju, Modi stressed that immediate action had been taken after reports of the paper leak surfaced, resulting in arrests and criminal investigations.
The minister said the prime minister also emphasised that conducting the re-examination quickly had been essential to protecting the academic future of millions of students.
Rijiju added that the meeting also covered other national issues, including recently signed free trade agreements.
He said Modi reassured lawmakers that the government would continue safeguarding the interests of Indian farmers in all future trade negotiations and policy decisions.
Meanwhile, political tensions over the NEET controversy continue to rise.
Student groups have maintained their protests, demanding greater transparency, examination reforms and accountability for those responsible for the alleged leak.
Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to prevent repeated examination scandals and have called for a broader debate on education governance.
The government, however, maintains that it has acted decisively through investigations, arrests and administrative reforms.
Modi’s appeal to NDA lawmakers reflects the ruling alliance’s growing recognition that restoring public confidence—particularly among young voters—will be crucial as the controversy continues to dominate national political discussion.
