In early 2025, the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) plunged into chaos as allegations of irregularities swept through India, leaving students, parents, and educators reeling. What was meant to be a gateway to medical education turned into a battleground of mistrust, with claims of paper leaks and unfair practices threatening the dreams of millions of young Indians.



The Trigger: What Went Wrong with NEET-UG?

The controversy erupted in February 2025, shortly after the NEET-UG exam—India’s sole entrance test for undergraduate medical courses—was conducted. Reports surfaced of question paper leaks in multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, alongside accusations of manipulated results favoring select candidates. The National Testing Agency (NTA), tasked with overseeing the exam, faced immediate backlash as students demanded transparency.

Outrage Unleashed: Students Take to the Streets

By March 2025, protests flared across cities like Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata, with thousands of aspirants rallying under hashtags like #JusticeForNEET and #CancelNEET2025. Social media amplified their fury, with viral videos showing students burning admit cards and clashing with police. Parents joined in, decrying the emotional toll on teens who’d spent years preparing for the high-stakes test.

The Evidence: Leaks, Arrests, and Investigations

Investigations uncovered disturbing details: police in Bihar arrested five individuals linked to a leaked paper sold for lakhs, while Uttar Pradesh probed coaching centers allegedly involved in the racket. The NTA admitted to “isolated incidents” but denied systemic failure, a stance critics slammed as evasive. With over 24 lakh students appearing for NEET-UG in 2025, the scale of potential injustice fueled national outrage.

Government Response: Damage Control or Denial?

The Union Education Ministry scrambled to respond, promising a high-level inquiry by early April 2025. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan vowed strict action against culprits, but his assurances rang hollow for many. Opposition leaders, including AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, called for the exam’s cancellation and a complete overhaul of the NTA, accusing the government of jeopardizing India’s future.

Impact on Aspirants: Dreams in Limbo

For India’s medical hopefuls—many from small towns and modest backgrounds—the scandal hit hard. Years of grueling study hung in limbo as courts heard petitions to annul the results. Counseling for MBBS seats, typically starting in June, faced delays, leaving students like Priya Sharma from Patna wondering, “Will merit even matter anymore?” The mental health toll spiked, with helplines reporting a surge in calls.

The Bigger Picture: A Broken System?

The NEET-UG fiasco isn’t new—similar controversies marred the exam in 2021 and 2023—but the 2025 uproar marks a tipping point. It’s reignited debates over India’s centralized testing model, with experts questioning if NEET serves students or stifles them. As of April 5, 2025, the Supreme Court has taken up the case, but a resolution remains elusive.

What’s Next: Reform or Repeat?

The NEET-UG scandal has exposed cracks in India’s education system, demanding accountability and reform. Will it lead to a fairer process, or just another cycle of promises and protests? For now, millions of students watch anxiously, their futures caught in a storm of uncertainty.