Naveen Patnaik criticised the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, calling it a betrayal of students’ trust, while the BJD demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation after the NTA cancelled the examination over alleged irregularities.
Fresh political controversy erupted on Tuesday after the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination over alleged question paper leak allegations, with Odisha Leader of Opposition and Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik strongly criticising the examination system and demanding accountability for the lapse.
The National Testing Agency announced the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was conducted on May 3, after inputs from central agencies and law enforcement authorities pointed toward alleged irregularities in the examination process. The agency stated that a fresh date for the re-conduct of the examination would be announced separately.
Reacting sharply to the development, Patnaik described the incident as a severe blow to the trust students place in the country’s examination system. In a statement shared on his official X account, the former Odisha Chief Minister said that compromising the sanctity of examinations amounts to a betrayal of lakhs of students who dedicate years of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice to secure success.
Patnaik stated that this was not the first time that allegations of a NEET paper leak had surfaced. According to him, repeated controversies surrounding major competitive examinations have deepened anxiety among students and parents while damaging confidence in the fairness of the recruitment and admission system.
He further said that honest students who spend sleepless nights preparing for highly competitive examinations deserve transparency and protection from systemic failures. Patnaik warned that repeated incidents of paper leaks could permanently weaken public faith in the education structure if strict corrective measures are not implemented immediately.
The senior BJD leader also stressed the need for swift accountability, saying the future of India’s youth cannot be jeopardised by administrative lapses. He asserted that restoring integrity in the examination process has now become an urgent national responsibility.
Meanwhile, the Biju Janata Dal intensified its attack on the BJP-led Central government during a press conference held at the party headquarters on Tuesday. Senior BJD leaders alleged that examination cancellations due to paper leaks have become increasingly common under the current administration.
The party accused the BJP government of failing to safeguard the credibility of national-level examinations despite repeatedly promising reforms and transparency. Taking a political swipe at the ruling party, BJD leaders claimed that the government’s vision of a “New India” was now being replaced by what they termed “Leak India.”
The BJD further alleged that the NEET examination had faced cancellation four times in the past six years due to various controversies and irregularities. The party demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on moral grounds, accusing the Centre of playing with the future of nearly 22 lakh students appearing for the examination.
The NEET-UG examination remains one of India’s largest and most competitive entrance tests for admission into undergraduate medical courses across the country. Any disruption in the examination process directly impacts millions of aspirants and their families.
| Also Read: NEET 2026 Cancellation Exposes Massive Examination Security Failure Across India |
The latest controversy has once again triggered nationwide concerns over examination security, transparency, and institutional accountability. Students and parents across several states have expressed frustration and uncertainty following the cancellation announcement, while opposition parties continue to mount pressure on the Centre for stricter oversight and immediate reforms in the examination system.
