The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) staged protests against the Centre over the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-UG exam, demanding strict action against those involved in the alleged paper leak and a Supreme Court-monitored probe into it.

Carrying party flags, scores of Congress workers and leaders led by working president of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Raman Bhalla held a demonstration outside the party headquarters in Jammu.

The protesters raised slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and burnt an effigy of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, seeking a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the alleged irregularities linked to the NEET examination.

“We demand a Supreme Court-monitored investigation to expose the alleged high-level nexus and restore the trust of students in the examination system. We want a foolproof system in future to ensure transparency and fairness in competitive examinations,” Mr. Bhalla told reporters.

The protests were held after the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the cancellation of NEET (UG) 2026 conducted on May 3, stating that the examination would be reconducted on dates to be notified separately.

The agency also said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations linked to the examination.

Lashing out at the BJP-led Centre over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy and a series of recruitment scams in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Bhalla accused the government of “playing with the future of the youth”.

He alleged that incidents of paper leaks had become widespread since the BJP came to power at the Centre and referred to alleged irregularities linked to NEET examinations in Bihar and Rajasthan.

Mr. Bhalla said repeated controversies surrounding the NEET examination pattern had brought embarrassment to the country’s education system and demanded accountability from those responsible.

“Strict action should be taken against all those involved in paper leak cases and those responsible must resign,” he said.

Questioning the postponement of examinations after months of preparation by students, the Congress leader said such decisions adversely affected the morale and focus of aspirants.

“Students prepare with dedication and hard work. Postponement of examinations after paper leaks badly affects their focus and mental preparedness. The future of the youth is being played with,” Mr. Bhalla said.

Targeting the BJP, he said the ruling party had promised transparency and development but failed to curb examination scams and paper leaks. He said the Congress stood firmly with students and youths facing uncertainty due to such incidents.

Mr. Bhalla also referred to recruitment scams reported in Jammu and Kashmir after 2014, including alleged irregularities in fire services, accounts assistant, junior engineer and sub-inspector recruitments.

He alleged that influential links had surfaced in several recruitment scam cases and urged the Centre to take strict action against corruption instead of “remaining silent”.