NEW DELHI — Renowned education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has launched an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, amplifying a protest led by the civil rights group Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) that demands the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The fast, which began on Monday, has drawn six Delhi University students into solidarity, escalating public pressure over alleged systemic failures in India’s competitive examination infrastructure. The demonstration arrives at a moment of national reckoning, as millions of students and parents grapple with the fallout from reported irregularities in high-stakes tests, including the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET).
What Happened
Wangchuk, best known for pioneering alternative education models in Ladakh, arrived at Jantar Mantar on Monday morning to join the CJP-led protest, which has been active since last week. Speaking to reporters, he accused the government of “institutionalized negligence” and “political interference” in the administration of national examinations, alleging that these failures have eroded public trust in the system. “Millions of students are being forced to navigate a broken system where merit is secondary to corruption and administrative incompetence,” Wangchuk said. “This is not just about one exam or one minister—it is about the future of an entire generation.”
The six students who joined the fast—identified as members of the Delhi University Students’ Union—echoed Wangchuk’s concerns, citing personal experiences with delayed results, opaque evaluation processes, and the psychological toll of repeated exam cancellations. One student, who requested anonymity, told The Hindu that the protest was a “last resort” after months of unanswered complaints to university and government authorities.
The CJP, which has been at the forefront of the protest, has presented documents it claims demonstrate irregularities in the conduct of NEET and UGC-NET, including:
– Delayed results: NEET 2024 results were announced over a week later than scheduled, sparking allegations of last-minute adjustments to scores.
– Leaked question papers: Multiple reports of alleged paper leaks in UGC-NET 2024 surfaced in June, prompting the government to cancel the exam and order a re-test for over 900,000 candidates.
– Grace marks controversy: The National Testing Agency (NTA) awarded compensatory marks to over 1,500 NEET candidates due to “loss of time” during the exam, a decision that has been challenged in the Supreme Court. Critics argue the move artificially inflated scores and distorted rankings.
– Opaque evaluation: The CJP has alleged that the NTA’s evaluation process lacks transparency, with no public access to answer sheets or grievance redressal mechanisms for students.
Why It Matters
The hunger strike and accompanying protests underscore a growing crisis of confidence in India’s examination system, which serves as the gateway to higher education and professional careers for millions of students. The NEET and UGC-NET exams, in particular, are critical for medical admissions and eligibility for university teaching positions, respectively. Irregularities in these tests have far-reaching consequences, including:
– Erosion of meritocracy: Students who prepare for years under immense pressure face uncertainty over whether their efforts will be fairly rewarded. The grace marks controversy, for instance, has led to accusations that the system is rigged in favor of those with connections or resources to exploit loopholes.
– Psychological and financial strain: Repeated exam cancellations, delays, and allegations of leaks have left students in limbo, exacerbating mental health challenges and financial burdens on families. The UGC-NET cancellation alone forced nearly a million candidates to re-prepare for the exam, many of whom had already incurred significant costs for coaching and travel.
– Institutional credibility at stake: The NTA, established in 2017 to streamline the conduct of national-level exams, has faced repeated scrutiny over its handling of high-profile tests. The agency’s reputation has been further damaged by its perceived lack of transparency in addressing student grievances. The Supreme Court is currently hearing multiple petitions related to NEET irregularities, including demands for a re-exam and an independent audit of the NTA’s processes.
– Political fallout: The protests have become a flashpoint in the broader debate over governance and accountability in the Modi administration. Opposition parties, including the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have seized on the issue, framing it as evidence of the government’s failure to prioritize education. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the protest site on Monday, calling Wangchuk’s fast a “wake-up call for the nation” and accusing the central government of “ignoring the voices of students and parents.” The Congress party, meanwhile, has demanded Pradhan’s immediate resignation, alleging that the minister has “lost the moral authority to lead the education ministry.”
Background and Context
The current crisis is the culmination of long-standing structural issues in India’s examination system, which has struggled to keep pace with the growing demand for higher education and professional qualifications. Key factors contributing to the current turmoil include:
1. Centralization of exams: The establishment of the NTA in 2017 was intended to reduce the burden on individual universities and state boards by centralizing the conduct of major exams. However, the agency’s rapid expansion—it now administers over 20 national-level tests annually—has stretched its capacity thin. Critics argue that the NTA lacks the infrastructure and manpower to handle such a large volume of exams without compromising on quality or transparency.
2. High stakes and high pressure: India’s examination system is among the most competitive in the world, with millions of students vying for a limited number of seats in top universities and professional programs. The NEET exam, for example, saw over 2.4 million applicants in 2024, competing for approximately 100,000 medical seats. This intense competition has created a fertile ground for malpractice, including paper leaks, impersonation, and bribery.
3. Historical precedents: The current controversy is not the first time India’s examination system has faced allegations of irregularities. In 2015, the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh exposed a massive racket involving the manipulation of medical entrance exams, leading to the arrests of over 2,000 people, including politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen. The scandal, which was linked to multiple deaths under mysterious circumstances, highlighted the deep-rooted corruption in state-level exam boards. More recently, the 2021 cancellation of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 exams due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread criticism of the government’s handling of alternative assessment methods.
4. Legal and judicial interventions: The Supreme Court has played a pivotal role in shaping the response to examination irregularities. In 2016, the court ordered the cancellation of the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) after reports of widespread cheating, including the use of Bluetooth devices and impersonation. The court also mandated the creation of a high-level committee to oversee the conduct of future exams. In the current NEET controversy, the Supreme Court has directed the NTA to respond to petitions seeking a re-exam, while also expressing concern over the agency’s “lackadaisical approach” to addressing student grievances.
5. The role of civil society: Organizations like the CJP have increasingly taken on the role of watchdogs, using public interest litigation and protests to hold authorities accountable. The CJP’s involvement in the current protest reflects a broader trend of civil society groups stepping in where institutional mechanisms have failed. Wangchuk’s participation, in particular, has lent the movement a moral authority, given his reputation as a grassroots educator who has worked to improve access to quality education in remote regions like Ladakh.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
The protests and hunger strike have laid bare a sharp divide between the government’s narrative and the allegations put forth by activists, students, and opposition parties. Key points of contention include:
– Government’s defense: The Ministry of Education has dismissed the allegations as “exaggerated and politically motivated,” arguing that the NTA has taken corrective measures to address the issues. In a statement to The Hindu, a ministry spokesperson said, “The government is committed to ensuring the integrity of the examination process. A high-level committee has been constituted to review the functioning of the NTA, and we are open to suggestions for improvement.” The spokesperson also pointed to the NTA’s decision to cancel the UGC-NET exam as evidence of the government’s willingness to act decisively when irregularities are detected.
The ministry has further argued that the scale of the exams—with millions of candidates—makes it impossible to eliminate all risks of malpractice. “No system is perfect, but we are continuously working to strengthen safeguards,” the spokesperson said. The government has also accused opposition parties of “politicizing” the issue for electoral gain, pointing to the upcoming assembly elections in several states.
– Critics’ allegations: Protestors and opposition leaders have rejected the government’s claims, arguing that the NTA’s actions have been reactive rather than proactive. They point to the grace marks controversy in NEET as an example of the agency’s lack of transparency. The CJP has demanded that the NTA make public the criteria used to award compensatory marks, as well as the names of the candidates who benefited from the decision. “The government’s response has been to circle the wagons and protect the NTA, rather than address the root causes of the problem,” said a CJP spokesperson.
Critics have also questioned the independence of the high-level committee reviewing the NTA’s functioning, noting that it is composed of government-appointed officials. “How can we expect an impartial investigation when the committee is answerable to the same ministry that oversees the NTA?” asked a student protestor.
– Lack of independent verification: One of the biggest challenges in assessing the validity of the allegations is the lack of an independent investigation. While the Supreme Court is hearing petitions related to NEET, no judicial body has yet issued a definitive ruling on the extent of the irregularities. The CJP’s claims, while supported by documents, have not been independently verified by a third party. This has led to a situation where both sides can claim the moral high ground, with the government dismissing the allegations as baseless and protestors insisting that the truth will only emerge through a transparent inquiry.
– Public sentiment: Opinion polls and social media trends suggest that public sentiment is largely sympathetic to the protestors. A recent survey by India Today found that 62% of respondents believed the government was not doing enough to address examination irregularities, while 58% supported the demand for Pradhan’s resignation. However, there is also a significant portion of the population that views the protests as politically motivated, particularly given the involvement of opposition parties.
What to Watch Next
The hunger strike and protests are likely to escalate in the coming days, with several key developments to monitor:
1. Government response: The central government’s next steps will be critical in determining the trajectory of the crisis. If the ministry continues to dismiss the allegations without offering concrete solutions, the protests could gain further momentum. Conversely, if the government announces a credible independent inquiry or takes disciplinary action against NTA officials, it may help defuse tensions. The Supreme Court’s upcoming hearings on NEET irregularities could also force the government’s hand, particularly if the court orders a re-exam or a judicial probe.
2. Health of protestors: Wangchuk and the six students have vowed to continue their fast until the government meets their demands. Medical volunteers at the protest site have expressed concern over the potential health risks of a prolonged hunger strike, particularly given Delhi’s extreme summer temperatures. If any of the protestors’ conditions deteriorate, it could galvanize public support and increase pressure on the government to act.
3. Opposition unity: The protests have provided an opportunity for opposition parties to unite against the
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
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