NEW DELHI—India's Parliament saw fresh disruptions on Tuesday as opposition parties pressed for an immediate discussion on the controversy surrounding the 2026 National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), accusing the government of failing to address concerns over the alleged examination paper leak and the handling of student protests.
Proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were repeatedly adjourned after opposition lawmakers entered the well of the House, raised slogans and demanded a debate on the NEET issue, alongside criticism of police action against demonstrators in New Delhi, according to parliamentary proceedings and media reports.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appealed to members to allow Question Hour to proceed and said issues could be raised under parliamentary rules, but protests continued, forcing multiple adjournments before the lower house was suspended for the day. Ministers were able to table official papers during brief resumptions, but little legislative business was conducted.
In the Rajya Sabha, opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of student demonstrations linked to the NEET controversy before uproar from both treasury and opposition benches led to another adjournment, according to official parliamentary coverage.
Opposition parties have demanded a dedicated debate on the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process and have called for accountability from the government. Some lawmakers have also renewed demands for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the issue.
The government has defended its response, saying action has already been taken over the examination controversy, including investigations, arrests and other corrective measures. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said strict action had been initiated and urged opposition members to allow the House to function. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also called for a "foolproof" public examination system amid continuing public concern over examination integrity.
The parliamentary confrontation comes as protests over the alleged NEET paper leak have continued in the capital, with demonstrators demanding broader reforms to India's public examination system. Police and protesters have offered differing accounts of recent clashes, while opposition parties have criticized the authorities' handling of the demonstrations.
The Monsoon Session, scheduled to continue until Aug. 13, is expected to consider a broad legislative agenda, but proceedings have so far been dominated by repeated opposition protests over the NEET controversy and other political issues.
