HighLights
  1. PM Modi announced fast-track courts and tougher penalties for NEET paper leaks.
  2. CJP demands Education Minister Pradhan’s resignation before any talks.
  3. Wangchuk broke his fast after Union Health Minister JP Nadda offered him juice.

Amid daily protests by thousands of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protestors in Delhi and several states demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam irregularities and paper leaks, the Centre has announced a fresh set of measures aimed at tackling the issue.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday promised "more strict" action against paper leaks amid continuing protests over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination. In a video message shared on X, Modi announced that the Union Cabinet would consider a draft bill proposing fast-track courts and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leak cases.

According to Jagran.com, citing sources, Union ministers are scheduled to meet a CJP delegation on Friday at 12:30 pm, although the venue has not been disclosed. Shortly after Modi's video message, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 27-day indefinite hunger strike.

Wangchuk, who was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, broke his fast after Union Health Minister JP Nadda offered him juice.

What did PM Modi say?

In his address, Modi said paper leaks were a matter of deep concern for students and their families.

"Friends, I know that paper leaks are not an ordinary matter. For lakhs of students and their parents, it is extremely painful," he said.

The Prime Minister said the government had acted swiftly following the paper leak incidents.

"And that is why, in the last two and a half months since the paper leak incidents, several major steps have been taken. The culprits have been caught; they are currently in jail," he said.

He also defended the government's decision to quickly reconduct examinations, saying it was necessary to prevent students from losing an academic year.

PM Modi claimed the government organised examinations for 2.2 million students in the shortest possible time.

Announcing the proposed legislation, he said, "I have issued directions to departments to set up fast-track courts."

Along with the video, PM Modi wrote on X, "More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow's Cabinet!"

According to Jagran.com, citing sources, directives have also been issued to establish fast-track courts on a priority basis under the jurisdictions of the Calcutta, Delhi, Bombay and Madhya Pradesh High Courts.

The Opposition has continued to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a detailed discussion on the NEET paper leak controversy during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, with protests taking place both inside and outside the House.

At least 13 people accused in this year's NEET paper leak case are currently in custody, while a CBI investigation is underway.

PM Modi's announcement comes as the Gen Z-led CJP and the Opposition remain firm in their demand that Pradhan resign before any talks or parliamentary discussion take place.

ALSO READ: 'One Day, One Demand': CJP Calls For Nationwide Protests Today, Urges Students To Read Out Demands In Gatherings

Vineet Joshi shifted from Higher Education Department

Late on Thursday night, the centre transferred Vineet Joshi, secretary of the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education, who had come under scrutiny over the NEET paper leak controversy.

Joshi has been appointed secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

He had also faced criticism over the University Grants Commission's proposed equity law for higher educational institutions, which drew widespread public backlash and was questioned by the Supreme Court.

At present, Joshi is also holding the additional charge of secretary, school education, besides serving as the additional charge holder of the UGC chairperson's post.

His transfer is considered significant because the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the NEET-UG examination, functions under the Department of Higher Education, placing him under indirect scrutiny over the paper leak controversy.

The Centre also reshuffled several other senior bureaucrats. Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary in the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, has been appointed the new Higher Education Secretary, while TK Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development, will take over as Secretary of the Department of School Education.

ALSO READ: Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike In Presence Of JP Nadda, Jitendra Singh At Medanta Hospital After Govt Promises Action

Joshi will assume charge in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj after the retirement of Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj on July 31. Gangwar will take over the Higher Education Department after Joshi assumes his new assignment.

CJP rejects government's outreach

Despite the proposed legislation and Modi's assurances, the CJP has said that it will accept nothing short of Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

The party has also insisted that any talks with the Centre should be held at Jantar Mantar or another neutral venue, with the government reaching out directly to the organisation.

The CJP has called for nationwide peaceful district-level protests on Friday and urged student organisations across the country to participate.

Responding to the Prime Minister's announcement, CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said, "Modi ji, remove Dharmendra Pradhan tomorrow. That's the strictest action you can take."

Ranka said thousands had gathered, demanding Pradhan's resignation, and claimed the movement had grown beyond the education minister.

According to Ranka, "People are saying it’s no longer about the Pradhan, but the Prime Minister's resignation that is needed."

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also reacted on X by posting an image of a man locking the gate of a compound with no boundary walls in an apparent swipe at the proposed legislation.

Chief spokesperson Sourav Das said the party had not received any official communication from the Centre regarding talks.

"Union Minister Jitendra Singh says the government can talk anywhere, so we have given our suggestion. Come to Jantar Mantar or a neutral place like the Constitution Club. We will meet there. We have not received any official message from their side yet."

 


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