NEET paper leak controversy coaching politics suicides education
Poonam Sharma
The recent controversy over the leakage of the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) paper has shaken India’s education system and has resulted in tragic outcomes. At least 12 student suicides have been reported from various states following the cancellation of the NEET exam. Most of these students belonged to different coaching institutes. For example, Akanksha Chaturvedi from Nagpur, Anukeerthana from Coimbatore and Pradeep Mahich from Sikar, Rajasthan were preparing for NEET in renowned coaching centres.
Why coaching students are more vulnerable?
According to the data, students attending coaching centres are more likely to face depression and commit suicide after the exams are cancelled. The root cause is the transition from knowledge based learning to marks based learning in the current education system. These coaching centers spoon feed students with potential questions and answers to memorize, giving them a false sense of preparedness. When the exam is leaked, it is cancelled. Students are anxious and desperate, sometimes leading to suicide. But the real culprits here are the parents and coaching mafia who push children into rat race and focus only on becoming doctors and ignore holistic learning.
NEET vs JEE:
Unlike NEET, JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) is conducted as a Computer Based Test (CBT) which reduces the chance of paper leak. The countrywide NEET exam in the pen-and-paper mode requires lakhs of question papers to be printed, transported and distributed, thus increasing the chances of leak. The large number of NEET aspirants (over 2.2 million) and limited MBBS seats make it prone to malpractices, whereas in JEE, more seats and phased exams reduce the pressure and risk.
Mafia and corruption in training:
The NEET paper leak is not an isolated incident but indicative of a deep-rooted nexus between the coaching mafias, the corrupt officials and the vulnerability of students. “It’s become a high stakes business with the financial incentives. This gives birth to the mentality that money can buy attendance, and also the question paper and answer sheets. In some coaching centres, students pay to attend the class but don’t attend it.
Polarizing Politics and Woke Agendas:
Instead of asking for transparent and fair reforms, some protestors have used the NEET controversy to spew hate speech against Brahmins or Hindutva and divisive slogans. This “woke” agenda tries to mix the sacred domain of education with the politics of hate, taking the attention away from the real culprits and undermining the fight against corruption in the education system.
JEE leaks why not?
JEE is conducted as a CBT in multiple shifts with random selection of questions, so it is difficult to leak. The large scale, single shift and physical distribution of NEET makes it more prone to leakages and malpractices.
The Actual Crisis:
What we are seeing today is not just a paper leak but a crisis of values in the education system of India. Holistic learning has been replaced by cramming, knowledge by marks, integrity by shortcuts. This is made worse by opportunist politicians and “professional protestors” who hijack real student grievances for their own agenda.
A Caution to Students:
Students need to be awake and not allow their struggles to be used by those with ulterior motives. The fight should be for clean and honest education, not for feeding hate or advancing divisive politics.
Call to Action:
The only way forward is for society to stand up to hate and demand real reforms in the examination and education system, transparency and putting student welfare before profit and politics. Otherwise the future of the youth of India will be lost in the maze of corruption and division.
