Digvijaya Singh Writes to PM Modi: Demands White Paper on NEET Paper Leaks

Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Digvijaya Singh, has formally reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the ongoing controversies surrounding the NEET-UG examinations. In a detailed letter, Singh, who also serves as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, expressed deep concerns over the transparency and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). He has specifically called for the government to issue a comprehensive White Paper detailing the irregularities and paper leaks that have occurred in NTA-conducted examinations over the past eight years.

Concerns Over Student Mental Health and Systemic Trust

Digvijaya Singh emphasized that the current situation has placed millions of students under immense psychological pressure. He noted that the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination has severely impacted the mental well-being of aspirants across the country. According to the letter, it's imperative for the government to restore the confidence of the youth in the national examination system, while singh mentioned that several students had approached him over the past few weeks to share their anxieties regarding the lack of clear information on how previous paper leak investigations were handled.

The Issue of Missing Consolidated Data

One of the primary grievances highlighted by the Congress leader is the absence of a consolidated public record concerning paper leak cases. Singh pointed out that there is no official data available to the public regarding the total number of cases filed, the specific actions taken by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or other law enforcement agencies, and the details of individuals arrested in connection with these crimes. He argued that this lack of official communication has created a vacuum, leading to the spread of rumors and further distressing the student community.

Specific Instances of Irregularities

The letter brings attention to specific cases to illustrate the systemic failures, while singh cited the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak in Hazaribagh, noting that the main accused, Sanjeev Kumar alias Mukhiya, is reportedly out on bail. Also, he referenced the UGC-NET 2024 examination, which was also cancelled. He highlighted a concerning development where the CBI filed a closure report in the UGC-NET case, claiming no irregularities were found. This led a Delhi court to seek a written explanation from the CBI, which in turn requested more time. Singh argued that such instances send a negative message to students and undermine the credibility of investigative agencies.

Demands for a White Paper

To address these concerns and bring transparency to the process, Digvijaya Singh has urged the Prime Minister to release a White Paper, while he specified that this document should include two critical components. First, a complete list of all paper leaks and irregularities that have occurred in examinations conducted by the NTA over the last 8 years. Second, a detailed report on the actions taken by the NTA and various investigative agencies in each of those cases, including the names and details of those arrested. Singh believes that only through such transparency can the administration hope to regain the trust of the students.