Rahul Gandhi To Launch Nationwide Campaign Against Paper Leaks From Kota Amid NEET Controversy

In a major political push aimed at India’s student community, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to launch a nationwide campaign against paper leaks, examination irregularities and youth unemployment from Kota, Rajasthan, on June 17.

The announcement was made by Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal, who said the campaign would focus on what the party describes as the “systematic betrayal” of students and job aspirants under the current government.

The movement comes in the backdrop of growing outrage over recent examination controversies, including the NEET paper leak row, which triggered widespread protests and anxiety among lakhs of students and parents across the country.

According to the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi will lead a series of large-scale student conventions beginning in Kota before travelling to Allahabad, Patna and Delhi as part of the first phase of the campaign. The events are expected to bring together students, educators, youth organisations and candidates affected by examination scams and recruitment delays.

Kota, often referred to as India’s coaching capital, holds symbolic significance for the launch. Every year, thousands of students travel to the Rajasthan city to prepare for competitive examinations such as NEET and JEE. The city has long been seen as the heartbeat of India’s entrance exam ecosystem.

The latest campaign also follows reports of irregularities linked to the NEET examination in Sikar, another major coaching hub in Rajasthan, which further intensified concerns about the transparency of the country’s examination system.

In its official statement, the Congress party said the campaign aims to highlight the struggles of millions of young Indians whose futures are being jeopardised by recurring paper leaks, rising examination costs and delayed recruitment processes.

The party also announced a massive outreach programme involving the NSUI, Youth Congress, state units and district-level workers. Activities will include campus visits, student interactions at coaching institutes, digital campaigns, live screenings and social media mobilisation to connect directly with young voters and aspirants.

“Rahul Gandhi has consistently raised issues concerning students and youth. This movement is about ensuring that their aspirations are not crushed by corruption, incompetence or political indifference,” the statement said.

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The campaign is also expected to amplify several demands previously raised by Rahul Gandhi, including the decentralisation of NEET, abolition of examination fees, stricter legal action against paper leak rackets and accountability from senior government officials.

The Congress has repeatedly accused the government of failing to protect the integrity of competitive examinations, arguing that repeated leaks and cancelled tests have severely damaged the confidence of students preparing for careers in medicine, engineering and government services.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also backed the initiative, saying students from across the country would be mobilised for the movement.

“The fight for education, opportunity and the future of India’s youth will continue,” Gehlot said.

Interestingly, this is not Rahul Gandhi’s first interaction with students in Kota. During the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022, he had visited the city and held discussions with coaching students about academic pressure, unemployment and career uncertainty.

With youth issues increasingly dominating political conversations ahead of upcoming elections, the Congress appears keen to position itself as the voice of frustrated students and job aspirants across the country.

Whether the campaign transforms into a larger national movement remains to be seen, but its launch from Kota sends a clear political message: India’s examination crisis is now becoming a major electoral issue.