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‘High-powered attempt to fix PM’s compromised image’: Congress on exam reform panel

"We have established fast track courts. Tomorrow in the Parliament, we are moving towards making a new law with tough provisions," PM Modi said.

studentNandan Nilekani to lead high-powered exam reform task force, says PM Modi. (File Photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced another measure to improve the education system after mass protests in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and other cities led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Modi said that Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, who earlier headed the government’s digital id Aadhaar programme, will lead a high-powered exam reform task force. Pradhan was forced to resign as student-led opposition grew over the alleged NEET paper leak after a protest call given by the Cockroach Janta Party.

The Congress derided the Modi government’s committee on exam reforms as a “high-powered attempt to fix the Pradhan Mantri’s irretrievably compromised image.” Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “Friends, in June 2024, after it bungled multiple examinations including NEET-UG, the Modi Government constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts headed by Dr. K Radhakrishnan to ‘ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations.’” In July 2026, the Modi government bungled the NEET-UG and other exams and has now constituted another “High Powered Task Force”, he said on X.

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In the past week, the government took a spate of measures to mollify protests that exploded across the country. Modi announced that fast-track courts will be set up to prosecute those found guilty of exam leaks while the education secretary was shunted out in a late-night move. The government also agreed to hold a detailed discussion over the issue in Parliament, but the protesters held on to the demand of Pradhan’s resignation.

Pralhad Joshi, new education minister: Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke shared a video on Sunday expressing his gratitude towards supporters which eventually led to the ‘victory in their first campaign.’ Protestors at Jantar Mantar have withdrawn and clearance work is underway as the Cockroach Janta Party called off its 36-days long protest. Pralhad Joshi has been given the additional charge of Union Education Minister with his existing portfolio of Consumers Affairs Minister. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, in a letter, asked Amit Shah who gave permission to use lethal force, including pellet guns on protestors.

Sonam Wangchuk stressed for reforms in education: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the protest and continued fasting for 25-days, welcomed the decision of the Union government. He said that Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is a victory but accountability must be followed by reforms in education. 

Live Updates
Jul 26, 2026 10:19 PM IST
Centre to bring even stricter legal framework to curb paper leaks: Haryana CM

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the Union government is set to introduce an even stricter legal framework to curb offences such as paper leaks and cheating in public examinations.

This, he said, will be a significant step towards protecting the hard work, aspirations and future of crores of youths across the country.

Saini asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi accords the highest priority to the welfare and interests of youth.

Strengthening the legal framework against examination-related malpractices reflects the government's unwavering commitment to safeguarding interests of honest and deserving candidates, he said.

Jul 26, 2026 08:57 PM IST
High-powered attempt to fix PM's compromised image: Congress

The Congress derided the Modi government's committee on exam reforms as a "high-powered attempt to fix the Pradhan Mantri's irretrievably compromised image."

The task force will give suggestions on maximum use of technology for setting up a robust and transparent examination system, Modi said in a video message posted on Instagram.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "Friends, in June 2024, after it bungled multiple examinations including NEET-UG, the Modi Government constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts headed by Dr. K Radhakrishnan to 'ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations.'" In July 2026, the Modi government bungled the NEET-UG and other exams and has now constituted another "High Powered Task Force", he said on X.

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Jul 26, 2026 08:42 PM IST
SC to hear pleas alleging police excesses during CJP-led protest tomorrow

The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Monday two separate pleas alleging police excesses against students protesting over NEET paper leak and other exam irregularities, PTI reported.

According to the apex court's case list of July 27, the pleas would come up for hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.

A bench headed by the CJI had on July 24 agreed to hear these petitions after the matter was mentioned before it. "Police is using excessive force against the students," senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan had told the bench while mentioning the pleas for urgent listing.

Sankaranarayanan had told the bench that two separate petitions were filed regarding the violence that took place during students' protests across the country.

Jul 26, 2026 08:18 PM IST
Who'll be part of the high-powered task force?

A multidisciplinary group of domain experts will be part of the task force.

Besides Nilekani, its other members are former chairman of ISRO S Somanath, former director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, director of IIT Chennai V Kamakoti, former education secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

Jul 26, 2026 07:05 PM IST
'High powered task force under world renowned technology expert'

"We have established fast track courts, in Parliament tomorrow too we are moving towards making a new law with tough provisions. But we have to think of the future. That our education system becomes reliable, transparent and uses technology to the maximum."

"Keeping all these things in mind, it has been decided to create a high powered task force under world renowned technology expert Shri Nandan Nilekani which will focus on examination reform. On the basis of its report, the work of making our examination system more dependable will be done as soon as possible," PM Modi said.

Jul 26, 2026 07:04 PM IST
Those who played with students' future rotting in jails, says PM

"Friends, for the future of students, the government of India is continuously taking several steps. Those who played with the future of students are rotting in jails," PM Modi said in a video.

Jul 26, 2026 07:02 PM IST
Nandan Nilekani to lead high-powered exam reform task force: PM Modi

Nandan Nilekani will lead the high-powered exam reform task force, says PM Modi in a video posted on Instagram.

Jul 26, 2026 06:31 PM IST
Kerala minister hails youth, oppn parties in NEET protest

Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan credited the unity of opposition parties along with youngsters for the success of the NEET exam paper leak protest and urged the INDIA bloc to remain united ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections.

Muraleedharan said youth-led movements have historically played an important role in bringing about political change, but added that such agitations achieve results only when backed by political parties.

Referring to the protest by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) that led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, he said Gen Z protesters may have driven the movement on the streets, but its impact inside Parliament was created by the united stand of the INDIA bloc, which prevented the government from conducting normal legislative business.

"For the first time, a cockroach fell into Narendra Modi's porridge," he remarked, referring to the resignation of Pradhan.

Jul 26, 2026 05:37 PM IST
INDIA bloc set to raise alleged excesses against NEET protesters in Parliament

INDIA bloc parties are set to press for an urgent discussion in Parliament on the alleged use of excessive force against students protesting over the NEET paper leak, with Rahul Gandhi writing to Home Minister Amit Shah seeking accountability and TMC's Sagarika Ghose moving a notice for the suspension of the day's business to take up the issue of "grave national importance" on Monday, news agency PTI reported.

Jul 26, 2026 04:33 PM IST
Power of the youth, says Sanjay Raut

On joint rally at Shivaji Park, Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut says, "It is not just a crowd; it is the power of the youth. It reflects the anger and dissatisfaction among young people, for which the government is responsible."

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Jul 26, 2026 03:06 PM IST
'Victory belongs to Rahul Gandhi & students', says Congress MP

On the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat says, “I believe this victory belongs to Rahul Gandhi and all the youths who contributed, directly or indirectly, to this struggle... Rahul Gandhi has also written to Amit Shah; this is merely the first milestone. He resigned only due to immense pressure from the public, but there is still no genuine honesty of intent."

He added: "We believe this issue goes beyond the resignation of a single person; we want to safeguard the future of our youth and ensure that such incidents do not happen again.”

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Jul 26, 2026 02:25 PM IST
Fast-track court to hear first NEET paper leak case on Monday

A Fast Track Court set up under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, will hear the bail pleas of NEET UG paper leak accused Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal on Monday. Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga will conduct the hearing at the Rouse Avenue Court Complex. It will be the first NEET UG paper leak case to be heard by the newly designated court. The Fast Track Court was set up on July 23 to hear paper leak and related cases. On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the government's decision to establish fast-track courts for swift trials and strict punishment in paper leak cases.

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Jul 26, 2026 02:15 PM IST
RJD's Tejashwi Yadav backs students, attacks Centre over NEET paper leaks

A day after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the NEET paper had leaked repeatedly and said students' futures had been compromised each time. He said the opposition had repeatedly raised the issue and saluted the students who joined the protests. Yadav also accused the government of ignoring students' concerns and alleged that those who "steal temple funds and students' futures" should be voted out.

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Jul 26, 2026 02:11 PM IST
BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal backs Pralhad Joshi as Education Minister

BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal said Pralhad Joshi is a veteran leader and expressed confidence that he would succeed in his new role as Union Education Minister. He said Joshi would live up to the faith reposed in him by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Jul 26, 2026 01:35 PM IST
NDMC continues clean-up after CJP protest ends

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) continued a large-scale clean-up drive around Jantar Mantar on Sunday after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) ended its protest following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Sanitation teams were deployed across Jantar Mantar, Tolstoy Marg, Sansad Marg, Jai Singh Marg and Connaught Place. Officials said nearly 60 metric tonnes of waste is expected to be cleared. Around 40 metric tonnes of waste was removed by Saturday night, while another 12 metric tonnes had been cleared by Sunday morning. The operation involved 75 sanitation workers overnight and 35 more on Sunday morning, along with heavy vehicles and mechanised cleaning equipment.

Jul 26, 2026 01:00 PM IST
Rahul Gandhi questions Amit Shah over alleged use of pellet guns on students

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged that pellet guns, lathis and tear gas were used against students protesting peacefully in Delhi. He said he met 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who may lose an eye after being hit by pellets. Rahul Gandhi asked Home Minister Amit Shah whether he had approved the use of pellet guns against students and who authorised plain-clothed men allegedly seen beating protesters with lathis. He said the country deserved answers.

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Jul 26, 2026 12:57 PM IST
Saurav Das urges police to help find 'missing' protestor

Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das shared a post on X requesting the Delhi police to help and find a missing protestor. A student who came to the protest site on July 22 allegedly went missing. His mother has been searching him for the last three days.

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Jul 26, 2026 12:47 PM IST
Abhijeet Dipke fighting typhoid

Cockroach Janta Party has shared a picture on X saying that Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the party is fighting typhoid now. In a video message earlier in the day, he said: "I also really want to apologise; I couldn't meet all the people who were still waiting at Jantar Mantar yesterday to say thank you to them because, as you know, I have typhoid and I had developed a very high fever--my temperature had reached 101. That is why I had to come home."

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Jul 26, 2026 12:35 PM IST
Pralhad Joshi takes charge as Union Education Minister

Newly appointed Union education minister Pralhad Joshi has taken charge, officials said on Sunday. Joshi was appointed education minister after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the post on Saturday. Joshi has been given additional charge of the education ministry besides his role as the consumer affairs minister. Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday following the Cockroach Janta Party-led student protests across the country, demanding his ouster over the NEET paper leak controversy.

Jul 26, 2026 12:12 PM IST
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray says youth has shaken dictatorship

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said the youth movement had "shaken" the government and showed the power of the younger generation. He said this was the "new India" where people would question decisions and leaders. Thackeray also criticised Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharaman over issues including ethanol policy and recent remarks.

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Jul 26, 2026 11:58 AM IST
Uddhav Thackeray says youngsters wrote a golden chapter

In the rally, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray urged protestors to maintain the awareness amongst them. He said, "You youngsters have written a golden chapter in the history of this country. My only request is to ensure that you don't let go this awareness."

Jul 26, 2026 11:55 AM IST
Uddhav Thackeray calls CJP win a battle

Alok Deshpande reports that in the rally in Mumbai, Shiv Sena chief (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray said that the protest at Jantar Mantar and its ultimate result is not the celebration of winning elections. Rather, it is the win of deshbhakt against andhbhakt. He said, "This is a fight between BJP and India. A cockroach has defeated the dictator. I want to tell Modiji to stop focusing on breaking parties and instead work on governance. Our cabinet ministers are busy supporting Dharmendra Pradhan. The fire is lit now across the country. We are not bothered by elections. Because Modiji has seen that he can do vote chori but cannot steal people."

Jul 26, 2026 11:50 AM IST
Raj Thackeray says students' protest shows Gen Z can challenge government

Alok Deshpande reports that Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray addressed a rally in Mumbai, where tributes were paid to NEET aspirants who died by suicide. MNS chief Raj Thackeray said the success of the students' protest showed that Gen Z can challenge the government. Uddhav Thackeray said the youth had written a "golden chapter" in India's history while addressing the rally held to mark Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Uddhav Thackeray read out the names of students who have committed suicide and the crowd observed one minute silence.

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Jul 26, 2026 11:08 AM IST
Rahul Gandhi questions Amit Shah over use of force against students

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked Home Minister Amit Shah whether he approved the use of "lethal force", including pellet guns, against students during the protests. Gandhi questioned the government's handling of the student agitation and sought accountability from the Home Minister for his approach at the protest site of Jantar Mantar. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability over what he called the "barbaric assault" on students during the protests.

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Jul 26, 2026 11:00 AM IST
Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya says Pradhan's resignation foiled bid to destabilise India

Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as Union Education Minister had foiled attempts by "foreign forces" to destabilise India through violence. He claimed Pradhan had offered to resign on the first day of the student agitation and said the move had prevented a situation similar to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Jul 26, 2026 09:43 AM IST
RLM leader Madhaw Anand says Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation reflects integrity

RLM leader Madhaw Anand said Dharmendra Pradhan did not resign under pressure but set a benchmark of "high-level integrity". He said protests had taken place at Jantar Mantar and in Patna, adding that he appreciated Pradhan's decision to step down.

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Jul 26, 2026 09:21 AM IST
All metro stations in Delhi now open

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has said that all stations of the Delhi Metro network are now open (both entry and exit) for passenger services. This comes as the Cockroach Janta Party ended its protest at Jantar Mantar after 36-days as Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister.

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Jul 26, 2026 09:18 AM IST
Assam Chief Minister Himanta defends Assam minister's daughter's presence at NEET protest

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said AGP leader and minister Keshab Mahanta should not be trolled after his daughter Dibisa Mahanta joined a protest over NEET exam irregularities. Dibisa was seen raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanding the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Sarma said children may not share their parents' political views.

Jul 26, 2026 09:07 AM IST
Amit Shah says Pradhan's resignation shows BJP puts students and nation above designations

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reflects the BJP's commitment to putting the interests of the country's youth and students above any position. Shah said the Modi government respects the sentiments of students and is committed to reforms to curb paper leaks. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decisions to ensure strict punishment for those responsible. He expressed confidence that the measures would deliver justice to students who cleared the NEET examination.

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Jul 26, 2026 08:30 AM IST
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke thanks supporters for support

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke shared a video on Sunday, a day after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. He said that he could finally sleep peacefully after a long struggle and thanked protestors who came in support of the movement. He thanked critics for suggestions that eventually led to the victory of the ‘first’ campaign of the Cockroach Janta Party.

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