Culprits caught, in jail: PM Modi releases late night video amid NEET row | VIDEO
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged on Thursday that harsher measures will be introduced to combat examination paper leaks, amid ongoing demonstrations led by the Chief Justice of India-led protests regarding purported flaws in the NEET-UG 2026 tests.
In a self-recorded video published via X, the Prime Minister revealed that the Union Cabinet is set to review a proposed Bill establishing fast-track courts and imposing severe penalties on wrongdoers. "I have issued directions to departments to set up Fast-Track Courts," he stated.
Opposition parties have persistently called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alongside a thorough debate concerning the NEET controversy during the ongoing monsoon sitting of Parliament, a dispute that has sparked widespread demonstrations both within and outside the legislature.
Alongside the footage, Prime Minister Modi posted, "More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow's Cabinet!"
Addressing the public in the video, Modi remarked, "Friends, I know that paper leaks are not an ordinary matter. For lakhs of students and their parents, it is extremely painful. And that is why, in the last two and a half months since the paper leak incidents, several major steps have been taken. The culprits have been caught; they are currently in jail."
The Prime Minister emphasised that a primary objective was safeguarding candidates from losing an academic year, noting that the administration mobilised all available resources to facilitate re-examinations for approximately 22 lakh aspirants in minimal time, with results declared on the 19th.
Reiterating that the authorities remain resolute, Modi continued, "However, we are not among those who are satisfied with just that. And therefore, today I have issued directions to the departments to set up Fast-Track Courts. The departments worked tirelessly and, late last night, provided me with a draft. This draft, which includes provisions for Fast-Track Courts and stringent punishments, will be discussed in the Cabinet tomorrow."
He added that input from cabinet colleagues will be integrated to finalise the legislation before seeking swift parliamentary approval as the second week of the session commences on Monday.
"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," Modi affirmed.
Earlier on Thursday, the Prime Minister formally addressed the uproar for the first time, confirming that the state intends to deploy fast-track judicial mechanisms to guarantee expedited penalties for individuals implicated in examination breaches.
ANI