mid-day Opinion: Take strictest action against NEET paper leakers

Representation pic

There is justifiably deep concern and anguish over irregularities and paper leaks with reference to the NEET-UG 2026 examination. The anxiety, disappointment, and fear, as there are no other words to describe students' emotions, is palpable. If there was any faith in our education system, it has been shredded with this leak.

Certain questions were leaked and sent to various students, putting a huge question mark on this entrance examination. While there is considerable scepticism when it comes to our education system, often justifiably so, most of all, paper leaks not just of NEET but any and all examinations, are a huge injustice to lakhs students whose dreams lie in tatters, and they are affected huge mentally, too, as cheats seem to race ahead of all. Impressionable youngsters become bitter and lose faith in values like justice and fair play, and scoff at wisdom about hard work bringing rewards.

That is the reason why the strictest action has to be taken against all those found involved, including what one student body dubs as the examination mafia. While strengthening our question paper credibility, looking at how we can secure examination centres, in what way one can combat digital aids in paper leakage, it is time to root out the malaise at every level.

Here, we see that there is a powerful network that may be operating. A thorough, time-bound investigation will help one get to the bottom of this and actually stub this out. So should it be with all paper leaks, however small the examination may be; it is hugely important to those affected. Let NEET's dark days be a turning point in our academic landscape.