Udupi: The Udupi district unit of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) strongly condemned the alleged irregularities surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 examination and accused the BJP-led Central government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) of failing to ensure a fair and transparent national entrance examination system.

Addressing mediapersons under the leadership of NSUI district president Saurabh Ballal, the student organisation alleged that the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 had been compromised by question paper leaks and large-scale malpractices, ultimately forcing authorities to cancel the examination.

The organisation claimed that nearly 22 lakh students across the country had suffered due to repeated failures in the examination system and alleged that the interests of genuine aspirants were being undermined by coaching mafias and corruption.

NSUI alleges failure of examination system

Speaking during the press interaction, NSUI leaders said students had once again become victims of alleged administrative failures linked to the national medical entrance examination process.

The student body alleged that sincere aspirants who spent years preparing for NEET were left mentally distressed following the cancellation of the examination. According to NSUI, this marked the second major controversy involving the examination system within the past three years.

The organisation further alleged that the examination process had failed to maintain credibility and transparency, raising serious concerns among students and parents across the country.

NSUI leaders claimed that the repeated controversies had damaged public confidence in the National Testing Agency and demanded accountability from authorities responsible for conducting the examination.

Students under severe mental stress

The NSUI expressed concern over the emotional and financial burden faced by students from Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and various parts of Karnataka.

According to the organisation, many aspirants had spent more than two years preparing intensively for the medical entrance examination while investing lakhs of rupees in private coaching institutions and study materials.

The sudden uncertainty caused by the alleged irregularities and cancellation of the examination reportedly triggered anxiety, frustration and emotional trauma among students and their families.

The organisation announced plans to start a helpline service for NEET aspirants experiencing depression, stress and anxiety in the aftermath of the controversy.

NSUI leaders stated that counselling and support mechanisms were necessary to help students cope with the mental pressure arising from repeated examination-related issues.

Demand to dissolve National Testing Agency

The student organisation demanded the immediate dissolution of the National Testing Agency, alleging that the agency had repeatedly failed in its responsibilities and lost public trust.

NSUI accused the NTA of functioning as a “puppet in the hands of coaching mafias” and alleged that private coaching interests were influencing the national entrance examination system.

Supporting the Karnataka government’s opposition to NEET, the organisation argued that medical admissions should instead be conducted through the Karnataka CET system to protect the interests of rural students and Kannada-medium aspirants.

According to NSUI, the centralised NEET examination system had weakened school education and adversely affected the federal structure by reducing the role of states in medical admissions.

Major demands raised by NSUI

The organisation placed several demands before the Central government and examination authorities during the press conference.

Among the key demands raised were the formation of a Supreme Court-monitored judicial commission to investigate the alleged nexus between coaching mafias and the National Testing Agency.

NSUI also demanded compensation of Rs 50,000 for every NEET aspirant towards mental stress, travel expenditure and coaching expenses incurred during preparation.

The student body further called for the resignation of the Union education minister, holding the ministry morally responsible for repeated failures in the examination system.

Another major demand involved granting Karnataka permission to conduct its own medical entrance examination for 85 per cent state quota seats until the NEET system is abolished.

Protest warning issued

NSUI Udupi announced that district-wide protests would be organised in Udupi, Kundapur, Karkala and Brahmavar if authorities failed to provide justice to students within a reasonable timeframe.

The organisation also stated that a memorandum outlining its demands would be submitted to the Union government through the Udupi Deputy Commissioner and the local Member of Parliament.

Accusing the Central government of “playing with the future of students for the benefit of private coaching lobbies,” NSUI leaders asserted that the agitation would continue until concrete action was taken to restore confidence in the examination system.