Congress units in Mokokchung and Dimapur, launching Chhatron Ki Goonj, demand a complete overhaul of the education system following NEET paper leaks.
MOKOKCHUNG/DIMAPUR — District units of the Congress party in Mokokchung and Dimapur on Wednesday demanded a comprehensive overhaul of India’s education system and robust measures to ensure the integrity of competitive examinations following the recent National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak.
Mokokchung: In Mokokchung, the District Congress Committee (DCC), National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and District Youth Congress (DYC) held a joint press conference at the DCC office.
The event was part of the nationwide campaign "Chhatron Ki Goonj" (Echo of Students), launched by the Indian National Congress (INC) and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
NSUI Mokokchung District President Asensor Jamir highlighted the concerns raised by Rahul Gandhi on the issue. He criticised the education system for offering limited opportunities, which he said exacerbates the country’s growing unemployment problem and the rising cost of education.
Jamir claimed that students spend nearly three times the amount allocated in the national education budget while preparing for the country’s top five competitive examinations. He pointed out that over 22 lakh students appear for NEET every year, yet fewer than 1 lakh secure MBBS seats.
“The system appears rigged, crushing the hopes and aspirations of students instead of nurturing their dreams,” he alleged, calling for urgent reforms and stricter measures by the government to conduct fair examinations.
Imlitula Longkumer, General Secretary (Administration) of DYC Mokokchung, expressed deep concern over the recent NEET paper leak and the subsequent cancellation of the examination due to severe irregularities, which she said has left millions of students frustrated, stressed, and in some cases driven to committing suicide.
She noted that parents invest between INR 1 lakh and INR 2.25 lakh annually on tuition fees for their children’s exam preparation.
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Citing statistics from NEET 2026, Longkumer said that among the 2.25 million aspirants, 75 per cent came from unemployed parents, 45 per cent were children of farmers, and 15 per cent belonged to tribal communities.
She accused the government of inefficiency in conducting transparent examinations, pointing out that NEET paper leaks are not new and have occurred in 2015, 2016, 2021, 2024, and 2026.
Longkumer also criticised the National Testing Agency (NTA) for technical glitches, poor communication with students, last-minute changes in schedules, and delays in result declaration.
She further alleged that the education system is increasingly leaning towards privatisation, with government institutions failing to meet students' expectations despite a Union Budget allocation of INR 1.39 crore for education in 2026-27.
DCC Mokokchung Vice President Nukshi Ozukum voiced concern over more than five to six paper leak controversies reported in just two years between 2024 and 2026.
Ozukum criticised the pattern of investigations that result in a few arrests followed by the matter being allegedly pushed into cold storage, only to resurface.
“If this trend continues, what will become of the future of honest and deserving aspirants?” Ozukum spoke and demanded accountability from the authorities and condemned the repeated failures in the examination system.
Dimapur: The Dimapur DCC held a press conference at Congress Bhavan, Dimapur, as part of the same campaign.
Addressing the media, DCC Dimapur President Kutoho Chishi stated that repeated incidents of question paper leaks, examination irregularities, delayed recruitment processes, and administrative failures have severely undermined the hopes and aspirations of millions of students and job seekers.
He said hard-working students are being forced to pay the price for corruption, incompetence, and the failure of the authorities to ensure a transparent and credible examination system.
Chishi stated that the campaign is aimed at amplifying the voices of students and ensuring that their concerns are heard at the highest level.
State Minority Chairman Javed Sarwar said the campaign is a significant national movement to safeguard the future of students and youth. He expressed concern that despite India being the world's youngest nation, it is facing unprecedented levels of youth unemployment and an education crisis.
NSUI Nagaland President X Chophika stated that the campaign reflects the pain and frustration of millions of young Indians. He highlighted persistent issues such as examination delays, repeated paper leaks, rising educational costs, and massive unemployment.
He added that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi recently interacted with students during a gathering in Kota, listening to their grievances and launching the campaign. He pointed out that more than two million students appear for NEET every year, yet repeated allegations of paper leaks and examination irregularities have shattered the confidence of students and their families.
As a mark of accountability, the Dimapur DCC demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him morally responsible for the repeated failures and continuing irregularities.
The press conference was followed by the screening of Rahul Gandhi's speech at Kota to the student community and a signature campaign.