Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 12 : Karnataka's School Education and Literacy Minister S Madhu Bangarappa on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the Centre's decision to cancel NEET UG 2026 and order a re-exam, along with a CBI probe into alleged irregularities.
Lashing out at the Central government, the state minister said the examination system's repeated collapse is severely affecting the mental health of students.
"The sudden decision for a 're-exam' is a huge blow to lakhs of students who studied day and night for years and wrote the exam," he said.
"We are constantly trying to reduce academic and mental stress on children at the school level. But such irresponsible decisions by the Centre are pushing children and parents into a pit of despair," the minister said.
Expressing strong displeasure over the Centre's priorities, he said, "The Central government gives big sermons asking people to work from home or use public transport to save fuel. But is it unable to perform its basic duties first? Before teaching lifestyle lessons to the people, the Centre should at least show the primary responsibility of conducting one NEET exam without a question paper leak."
He also sharply questioned the silence of state BJP leaders on the issue. "Local BJP leaders who deliver speeches on national interest over trivial matters in the state are not raising their voice against this massive failure of the Centre. Despite repeated paper leak scams, local BJP leaders have completely failed to put pressure on the Centre. This is not just about one exam; it is a question of the future of thousands of talented students in the state," he said.
The minister warned, "Merely ordering a CBI probe is not enough. The Central government must build a secure and transparent examination system so that such incidents do not recur. Otherwise, the common people's faith in the entire examination system will be completely destroyed."