NEET-UG Paper-Leak Crisis Triggers a Nationwide Youth Protest Movement

By 20 July 2026, protests over alleged leaks in the 2026 NEET-UG examination had grown into a nationwide youth movement. The National Testing Agency had cancelled the 3 May examination after leak allegations and held a re-test on 21 June. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, founded by Abhijeet Dipke, organised demonstrations and a prolonged Jantar Mantar sit-in demanding accountability and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan; activist Sonam Wangchuk joined with a hunger strike. On 20 July, tens of thousands attempted to march towards Parliament and were met by police using tear gas and baton charges. The movement subsequently produced ministerial, administrative and legislative consequences recorded in the next two timeline cards.