Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said teachers entrusted by the NTA failed in their duties during the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case
June 23, 2026: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said that individuals entrusted with responsibilities during the NEET-UG 2026 examination had failed to uphold their duties, describing the situation as one where “protectors turned predators.” His remarks came amid the ongoing investigation into the NEET paper leak case, which led to the cancellation of the May 3 examination and a nationwide re-test. More than two million medical aspirants appeared for the re-examination on Sunday under heightened security arrangements. Pradhan stated that the government’s priority was to ensure a fair and secure opportunity for deserving students and expressed confidence that meritorious candidates would perform well.
Addressing concerns over a series of student suicides linked to the controversy, Pradhan said he considers himself accountable for the deaths of NEET aspirants who were reportedly under immense stress following the paper leak and subsequent re-test announcement. At the same time, he accused the Congress party and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of politicising the tragedy. The minister said the education system requires urgent reforms but criticised what he termed the use of student suicides for political gain.
Speaking about the investigation, Pradhan said the National Testing Agency had placed trust in certain teachers who allegedly failed to discharge their responsibilities properly. According to investigators, teachers PV Kulkarni, Manisha Mandhare and Manisha Havaldar are among the key accused in the leak of the chemistry, biology and physics papers. The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is probing the case, has arrested 13 people so far. The controversy began after the NTA received information suggesting similarities between a circulated guess paper and the original examination paper, prompting the agency to cancel the test and order a re-examination.