Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over recurring examination paper leaks, saying the problem has become a “new normal” in the country and is threatening the future of millions of students.
Addressing students during the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Dehradun, Gandhi said repeated examination irregularities have severely damaged confidence in India’s education system. He argued that the issue goes beyond a single examination and reflects deeper structural failures that require urgent political consensus.”Paper leaks have become a norm in India,” Rahul Gandhi said, adding that the problem concerns “the future of India’s youth.”
Calls For Student-Centric Education
The Congress MP criticised the existing education framework, describing it as outdated and heavily government-driven. According to him, India now requires an education system that places students at its centre rather than relying on old administrative models.
He maintained that the repeated exam controversies have exposed weaknesses in the system and called for comprehensive reforms to restore trust among students and parents.
Questions Lack Of Accountability
Highlighting the scale of the issue, Gandhi claimed that nearly 7.5 crore students have been affected by examination paper leaks and that 152 such incidents have been reported over the years.
He questioned the absence of accountability, alleging that despite numerous cases, no meaningful punishment has been imposed on those responsible.”The conviction rate is zero. Not a single person has gone to jail or been punished in connection with these cases,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi further argued that the reported figures represent only a fraction of the actual problem, suggesting that many incidents may never come to light.
Claims Advanced Technology Is Being Misused
The Rae Bareli MP alleged that sophisticated technology is being exploited to facilitate examination leaks. He claimed that individuals with sufficient financial resources can illegally access question papers, creating an unfair advantage over honest candidates.
According to Gandhi, such practices undermine merit and discourage millions of hardworking students preparing for competitive examinations.
Concern Over Students’ Future
Rahul Gandhi also pointed to the intense competition faced by aspirants, saying only a small percentage eventually secure admission or employment despite lakhs of candidates appearing for examinations every year.
He said repeated paper leaks not only damage the credibility of the examination process but also hurt deserving students who rely solely on hard work to achieve success, urging authorities to address the issue with greater seriousness.
