Govt moves on three fronts to defuse NEET protests

New Delhi: In a late-night push on Thursday, the Centre stepped up efforts to defuse the agitation over alleged examination paper leaks through a three-pronged strategy of political outreach, legislative action and administrative changes. Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his fast after talks with the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced fresh legislation to strengthen action against examination paper leaks, and the Higher Education Secretary was replaced.

The developments, unfolding over the course of the day, marked the government's strongest attempt yet to restore confidence in the examination system amid sustained student protests and mounting political pressure.

Also Read: Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike in presence of Union Ministers Nadda, Jitendra Singh


The political outreach culminated in Wangchuk ending his 26-day fast. Announcing the decision on X, he said he broke his fast in the presence of Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, along with senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh, after "long negotiations" on various issues and in view of the possibility of violence in the country. He said details of the understanding would be shared separately and appealed to supporters to ensure that no violence took place anywhere.

The breakthrough came after sustained outreach by the Centre over the past two days, with senior ministers engaging with Wangchuk and urging him to end his indefinite fast.

In the second leg of the government's response, Modi, in a video message, said the Centre would bring fresh legislation to further strengthen the examination system and ensure stringent action against those involved in paper leaks and examination fraud.

Also Read: PM Modi says more strict actions against paper leaks will be announced in Cabinet meet on Friday

Government sources said the proposed legislative exercise would involve amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) is expected to move amendments providing for tougher punishments, higher monetary penalties, and clearly defined timelines for investigation and punitive action in cases of organised cheating and paper leaks.

Completing the three-pronged response, the Centre, in a late-night bureaucratic reshuffle, replaced the Higher Education Secretary as part of a wider administrative reset amid heightened scrutiny of the examination ecosystem.

The developments come after days of nationwide protests over alleged examination paper leaks, repeated disruptions in Parliament, and sustained Opposition attacks over the government's handling of recruitment and entrance examinations.

Also Read: Centre transfers Higher Education Secy Vineet Joshi amid NEET row; Naresh Pal Gangwar takes over

While the government has maintained that the integrity of the broader examination system remains intact, Thursday's political outreach, legislative initiative, and administrative action together signal an effort to restore public confidence and strengthen the institutional framework governing public examinations.