Siddaramaiah on Thursday strongly criticised the Union government over the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination following allegations of a question paper leak.
The Karnataka Chief Minister termed the development a serious “administrative failure” and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to students affected by the controversy.
CM demands action against Union Education Minister
Addressing the media, Siddaramaiah said the Centre had failed to safeguard the future of lakhs of deserving students who prepared for the highly competitive medical entrance examination.
He also demanded the dismissal of Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him responsible for the alleged paper leak and subsequent cancellation of the examination.
“The interests of talented students have not been protected,” the Chief Minister said, adding that accountability must be fixed for the lapse.
Political reactions intensify
The controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 examination has triggered sharp political reactions across the country after allegations emerged that the question paper had been leaked before the May 3 examination.
Earlier, the National Testing Agency officially cancelled the exam, while the Central Bureau of Investigation launched a probe into the matter.
Several arrests have already been made in connection with the alleged leak, including individuals from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Haryana.
Students and parents across India have expressed frustration and anxiety over uncertainty regarding the fresh examination schedule and admission process