'We Don't Want NEET, We Want CET': Karnataka Students Hold Massive Protest Over NEET-UG Paper Leak

Students in Karnataka's Mandya staged a protest demanding the scrapping of NEET-UG and the return of the state-run CET for medical admissions. Organised by the NSUI, the demonstration followed the alleged NEET paper leak controversy.

Students gather in Mandya over alleged NEET irregularities

Hundreds of students staged a protest near the Deputy Commissioner's office in Karnataka's Mandya on Thursday, demanding that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) be scrapped and replaced with the state's Common Entrance Test (CET).

#WATCH | Mandya, Karnataka | The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) holds a protest against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper scam. pic.twitter.com/0Xk1ZGptd3

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2026

The demonstration was organised by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI). Protesters raised slogans against the Centre, alleging that repeated irregularities in the NEET examination had affected the future of students.

Students demand return to CET and call for accountability

Holding placards and raising slogans, the protesters repeatedly chanted, "We don't want NEET, we want CET."

They argued that admissions to medical colleges in Karnataka should once again be based on the state-run Common Entrance Test instead of the national entrance examination.

Students claimed that the alleged NEET question paper leak had caused serious injustice to candidates and called for a fair and transparent admission process.

Students call for accountability

The protesters also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying the Centre should take responsibility for the alleged examination irregularities.

Some students criticised the government's handling of the examination process and urged the Centre to stop "playing with students' lives". They said repeated controversies surrounding NEET had increased stress and uncertainty among lakhs of aspirants.

The protest was attended by NSUI district president Manjunath, Mandya District Congress Committee working president Chidambar M.S., state vice-president Rafiq Ali, Sathanur Mahesh and several student leaders.

NEET-UG 2026 controversy

The NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was originally held on May 3, was cancelled after allegations of a question paper leak surfaced. The Centre later ordered a re-examination, which was conducted on June 21 in pen-and-paper mode under tighter security while investigations into the alleged leak continue.

Meanwhile, members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education have suggested conducting NEET-UG in multiple phases instead of holding the country's biggest entrance examination on a single day. According to sources, committee members appreciated the smooth and secure conduct of the re-examination but said a multi-phase format could reduce logistical challenges in the future.

The protest in Mandya reflects the growing demand among many students for greater transparency and reforms in the medical entrance examination system.

(With agency inputs)