Opposition Leaders Demand NEET Abolition and Education Minister's Resignation

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and the Indian National Congress demanded the complete abolition of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) on July 22, 2026. The demands follow widespread protests and paper leak allegations, including a sit-in at Lok Kalyan Marg outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence where Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained.

Vijay condemned the detention of opposition leaders as anti-democratic and proposed moving education from the Concurrent List back to the State List to grant states full control over medical education. Simultaneously, the Indian National Congress called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, with MPs Jebi Mather and Pawan Khera accusing him of mismanaging the education system.

Dharmendra Pradhan rejected these demands, accusing the Congress party of exploiting students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. While the opposition seeks a thorough probe into the NEET-UG paper leaks, Pradhan maintains that the government remains committed to discussing reforms and addressing student concerns on the floor of the House.