Ahead of his first student convention in Kota, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday (June 15, 2026) said every paper leak and cancelled exam is not just a failure of the system but a blow on the dreams of millions of youth of the country.

In a post on X in Hindi, Mr. Gandhi said it is not the fruit of hard work that students get but the punishment for daring to dream.

"One thing I want to say to every young person in this country — today, in this nation, it's not the fruit of hard work that you get, but punishment for daring to dream.

"Every paper leak, every cancelled exam, every stalled recruitment — these aren't just failures of the system, but blows struck against the dreams of millions," he said in his post.

"I know you're exhausted. You're angry. But remember this — when the government refuses to listen, you have to raise your voice louder.

"That's why I'm calling on all of you — June 17, Kota. Students' Echo. Let's come together and become a roar that can't be ignored. Starting from Kota — then reaching every corner of the country," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

Mr. Gandhi assured the youth that this is a fight for their future and he stands with them.

The Congress has announced that the first phase of a nationwide campaign against paper leaks and examination irregularities will begin with Mr. Gandhi addressing a series of student conventions. The first such address will be in Kota on June 17, 2026.

The movement will seek to unite students beyond political affiliations and provide a platform for affected youth to share their experiences and demand accountability for "repeated examination failures and paper leak scandals", the party has said.

Mr. Gandhi will address a series of large student conventions starting with Kota (June 17, 2026), Allahabad (July 10, 2026), Patna (July 11, 2026) and Delhi (July 14, 2026), bringing together students, aspirants, youth organisations, educators and all those directly affected by the alleged examination scandals.

The campaign will highlight the hardships faced by millions of young Indians whose futures are being repeatedly jeopardised by paper leaks, rising examination costs and the government's "failure" to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment and education system, the Congress has said.

As part of this nationwide campaign, the party will reiterate Mr. Gandhi's call to mobilise students through extensive outreach by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), Youth Congress, Pradesh Congress Committees, District Congress Committees and local units across the country.