AAP seeks Rule 267 debate; Congress moves adjournment motion over NEET-UG row

New Delhi: Opposition MPs on Tuesday moved separate notices in Parliament seeking discussions on the alleged NEET-UG question paper leak, police action against protesting students, the health of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, and the need for a new anti-defection law.

Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh submitted a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267, urging the Upper House to suspend all listed business to discuss what he described as the failure of the public examination system and its impact on students.

"I hereby give notice of my intention to move the following motion: Subject: To suspend all business of the House under Rule 267 to discuss the NEET-UG question paper leak, the failure of the public examination system, police action against peaceful protesters, and the deteriorating health of Shri Sonam Wangchuk," Singh said in his notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary-General.

Describing the matter as one of "extreme sensitivity and public importance", Singh referred to the cancellation of the NEET-UG examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on 3 May following allegations of large-scale question paper leaks and irregularities.

He alleged that it was the fourth NEET paper leak in the past nine years, exposing "persistent vulnerabilities" in the medical entrance examination system.

"Such recurring breaches have shaken public confidence in the fairness, credibility, and transparency of India's examination system," the notice stated.

Singh further claimed that the cancellation of the examination had caused "unprecedented mental and practical hardships" for students and their families.

According to the notice, 22,05,035 candidates appeared for the original examination, while 19,99,895 candidates took the re-examination. Singh said the absence of more than 2.05 lakh candidates from the second test represented the highest absenteeism in the history of NEET-UG and reflected "a significant erosion of public trust in the credibility of the examination process."

Calling the controversy "not an isolated incident but part of a broader national crisis", Singh alleged that more than 150 question papers had been leaked across the country over the past decade, affecting around seven crore students.

"The system's persistent failure to prevent question paper leaks has shattered public confidence in the country's examination system and forced millions of promising students to question whether their merit and hard work are being safeguarded," the notice read.

Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manish Tewari moved an Adjournment Motion Notice seeking suspension of Question Hour, Zero Hour and all listed business to discuss the need for a new anti-defection law.

In his notice, Tewari proposed a discussion on "the need for a New Anti-Defection Law that proscribes Mass Political Defections driven by opportunism and bereft of any genuine ideological or policy differences while simultaneously providing space for honest and critical dissent both inside and outside Parliament and the legislatures."

"I therefore urge the Government to adjourn the business for today and allow a full discussion on this matter of urgent importance," he said.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore also submitted an Adjournment Motion Notice seeking a discussion on the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examinations, the academic future and safety of students, and the registration of FIRs against students protesting during the CJP protest march.

In his notice to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Tagore said the motion sought to discuss the "failure of the Government of India to safeguard the academic future and safety of students in the wake of the NEET-UG and UGC-NET examination irregularities, and the arbitrary registration of FIRs against protesting students in Delhi."

Tagore alleged that the NEET-UG 2026 examination had been "compromised by confirmed paper leaks", leading to its cancellation and re-conduct, and claimed that officials of the National Testing Agency had been implicated.

He also alleged that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had publicly acknowledged institutional failure but "refused to accept moral and constitutional responsibility by resigning."

What is Rule 267 in Parliament?

Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha Rules of Procedure allows a Member of Parliament (MP) to seek the suspension of the House's scheduled business to take up an urgent matter of public importance. Since the Rajya Sabha does not have an adjournment motion provision like the Lok Sabha, Rule 267 is often used by opposition parties to press for an immediate discussion on pressing national issues and seek the government's response.

(ANI)