‘Six Lakh Candidates Can’t Keep Waiting…’ Rahul Gandhi Demands Fresh Maharashtra TET Date, Strict Action in Paper Leak Case

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called on the Maharashtra government to immediately announce a fresh date for the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026, following the cancellation of the examination due to a question paper leak.

In a social media post, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha expressed concern over the uncertainty faced by nearly six lakh candidates, saying that honest aspirants should not be made to suffer because of failures in the examination system.

Rahul Gandhi raises three key demands

Addressing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Rahul Gandhi outlined three immediate steps that he believes the government should take.

First, he urged authorities to announce a revised examination date without further delay to end the uncertainty surrounding the recruitment process.

Second, he demanded strict action against those responsible for the paper leak, stressing that the culprits—not the candidates—should face the consequences.

Third, Gandhi sought age-limit relaxation for candidates whose recruitment cycle has been disrupted, arguing that aspirants should not lose opportunities because of administrative failures.

Exam cancelled after paper leak

The Maharashtra TET 2026 examination was postponed on June 27, just a day before it was scheduled to be held, after investigators uncovered an alleged question paper leak in Thane district.

So far, police have arrested 10 individuals in connection with the case. Officials say the leak disrupted the recruitment process for nearly six lakh aspiring teachers across the state.

According to investigators, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is tracing financial transactions and digital evidence to identify the alleged masterminds behind the operation.

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Interstate network under investigation

Authorities believe the paper leak may be linked to a wider network operating across multiple states, including Delhi, Agra, Bihar, and Haryana.

Officials are continuing efforts to locate two key accused, Bijendra Kumar Gupta and Sonukumar Kishanlal, who are currently absconding.

The SIT is examining electronic devices, financial records, and communication trails as part of its investigation into the organised examination fraud.

Focus on education reforms

Rahul Gandhi also announced that he plans to address the growing issue of examination paper leaks during an interaction with students under his ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ initiative in Dehradun on July 17.

He said repeated paper leak incidents highlight the urgent need for reforms in India’s examination system, adding that students deserve a transparent process where their hard work is rewarded rather than undermined by systemic failures.

As the investigation progresses, thousands of TET aspirants continue to await clarity on the revised examination schedule and the future of the recruitment process.