NEW DELHI—Proceedings in both houses of India's Parliament were adjourned for the day on Thursday after opposition lawmakers repeatedly disrupted the Monsoon Session, demanding accountability over the alleged leak of the 2026 National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) examination paper and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The disruptions marked the fourth consecutive day of parliamentary deadlock since the session began, with little legislative business conducted as opposition members staged protests and raised slogans in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Parliamentary officials repeatedly adjourned proceedings before calling off the day's sitting after efforts to restore order failed.
Opposition parties said they wanted an immediate discussion on the alleged examination paper leak but insisted that Pradhan should resign before any debate takes place, arguing that ministerial accountability was necessary in light of the controversy. The parties have also linked their parliamentary protests to demonstrations by students and youth groups demanding reforms to India's examination system.
The government rejected the demand that the minister step down and said it remained willing to hold a discussion on the issue without preconditions. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to opposition parties to allow Parliament to function, saying the government was prepared to debate the NEET controversy for any duration agreed upon by the House.
Outside Parliament, protests over the alleged paper leak continued to gather momentum in New Delhi and other cities. Demonstrators have called for greater transparency in the examination process, stronger action against those responsible for paper leaks and broader reforms to recruitment and entrance examinations. Police have imposed restrictions in parts of the capital and detained some protesters following clashes during recent demonstrations.
The NEET-UG examination is India's principal entrance test for undergraduate medical courses and is taken annually by hundreds of thousands of aspiring students. Allegations that this year's examination paper was leaked before the test have triggered political controversy, student protests and demands for accountability from opposition parties. Government agencies have launched investigations into the allegations, while officials have pledged action against those found responsible.
With neither side showing signs of compromise, Parliament remained unable to conduct normal business on Thursday. The government continued to urge the opposition to participate in a formal debate, while opposition parties maintained that they would persist with their protests until their demand for the education minister's resignation was addressed.
