Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has defended Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid growing demands for his resignation over the NEET 2026 paper leak controversy and the CBSE on-screen marking glitches. Speaking at The Indian Express Idea Exchange on Friday, Rijiju described the calls for Pradhan's resignation as politically motivated and said the minister has been actively working to address the issues rather than avoiding responsibility.

Rijiju acknowledged the concerns of students and parents affected by the examination controversies but argued that accountability in such cases must be viewed in the context of how educational institutions function. He said Pradhan has taken several corrective measures to resolve the problems and ensure that the integrity of the examination system is restored.

Explaining the structure of educational bodies, Rijiju noted that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the National Testing Agency (NTA) operate as autonomous institutions. According to him, these organizations are established to independently manage examinations and related processes, and they are not monitored by the Education Minister on a day-to-day basis.

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The minister further stated that direct responsibility would arise if wrongdoing were committed by a minister or members of a minister’s staff. However, he argued that operational failures within autonomous bodies must primarily be answered by those institutions themselves. His remarks came as criticism intensified over the NEET paper leak and technical issues linked to CBSE’s evaluation process.

The controversy has sparked nationwide debate, with students, parents, and opposition parties questioning the credibility of major entrance examinations. While pressure continues to mount on the Education Ministry, Rijiju maintained that the government is focused on fixing the problems and strengthening examination systems rather than engaging in political blame games.

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