CPI(M) demands NTA disbandment over NEET paper leak

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday lashed out at the Union Government over the reported leakage of the NEET examination paper, demanding the immediate disbandment of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

In a strongly worded statement, the party expressed grave concern for the nearly 22 lakh students affected by the leak, stating they are being subjected to “unnecessary psychological pressure” for a crisis they did not create. The CPI(M) alleged that such frequent leakages are the result of a nexus between corrupt elements and vested interests who remain insensitive to the plight of students.

Criticising the centralisation of the examination process, the Polit Bureau noted that this was not an isolated incident under the current regime. “This is not the first time that exam papers have been leaked after the Union Government assigned the task of conducting exams to the NTA,” the statement read.

The party has called for a complete overhaul of the system, advocating for the decentralisation of examinations. It demanded that the responsibility for conducting these high-stakes tests be returned to the respective government agencies as per the earlier practice.

Demanding accountability, the CPI(M) urged the Union Government to initiate a comprehensive enquiry into the breach. The party further insisted on strict punishment for those found guilty and called for immediate measures to ensure that the academic future of the affected students is not placed in jeopardy.