The postponement of the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) following an alleged question paper leak has triggered a political storm, with several opposition parties accusing the BJP-led government of failing to protect the integrity of competitive examinations. The controversy comes at a time when the Centre is already facing criticism over recent examination-related issues, including the NEET-UG paper leak.
The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) announced the postponement of the TET less than a day before the exam was scheduled to take place. The decision was taken after authorities conducted a raid in Thane and allegedly recovered questions that matched parts of the actual examination paper.
The exam was scheduled to be held on Sunday, with nearly six lakh candidates expected to appear. The MSCE said fresh dates for the examination would be announced soon and clarified that candidates would not have to pay any additional registration fee when the exam is rescheduled.
The development sparked sharp reactions from opposition leaders. The Congress attacked the BJP over repeated incidents involving examination papers, saying, “Under the BJP government, there is no paper that doesn’t get leaked. This government has become the ‘Paper Leak Government’.” (Quote source: Congress’ official social media post.)
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also criticised the government, linking the alleged paper leak to other recent controversies. He said, “Another exam has been leaked. They have spared neither the exams nor the temples. They are stealing everywhere.” (Quote source: Arvind Kejriwal’s public statement.)
Kejriwal further alleged, “Some of their favourite people say that the lower-level folks are doing it… But such massive-scale chaos, happening continuously every day, isn’t possible without the involvement of the higher-ups. It simply can’t be that the money isn’t reaching the top.” (Quote source: Arvind Kejriwal’s public statement.)
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi also criticised the Maharashtra government, blaming its “incompetence” for the examination controversy. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal alleged that paper leaks had become the defining feature of the present government, while NCP (SP) spokesperson Amol Matele claimed that if recruitment examinations for teachers could be compromised, no public examination was safe.
Responding to the allegations, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible. Calling the incident deeply disturbing, he said, “No matter who the culprit is, they will not be spared. The harshest possible action will be taken against them. Whether it is a corrupt officer or an organised gang, the full force of the law will be brought down upon them.” (Quote source: Statement by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.)
Police have so far registered an FIR against three individuals in connection with the alleged leak, and the investigation is underway.
The controversy has also revived memories of the NEET-UG paper leak investigation, in which investigators had earlier traced the alleged leak route to Maharashtra’s Nashik before it spread to other states through messaging platforms. The latest incident has once again raised concerns over the security of public examinations and intensified demands for stronger safeguards to prevent future leaks.
