Pune, 25th July 2026: Thousands of students, largely from Generation Z, took to the streets on Friday evening to protest the alleged NEET paper leak, recurring examination irregularities, and what they described as the government's inaction in addressing the issue. The demonstration also condemned the alleged police lathi-charge on students protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
Organised as a Tiranga March, the rally began at Lal Mahal and concluded at the District Collector's Office. Despite heavy rain, students carrying the national flag and copies of the Constitution marched through the city, raising slogans demanding accountability and reforms in India's education system.
The march witnessed participation from students across Pune, many of whom said they had joined voluntarily without the support of any political party or organisation. Protesters carried placards and satirical posters criticising repeated paper leaks and examination scams, while slogans against the alleged police action in Delhi echoed throughout the route.
The procession passed through Phadke Haud, Daruwala Bridge, Narpatgiri Chowk and the old Zilla Parishad Road before reaching the District Collector's Office, where student representatives addressed the gathering. Participants also observed a tribute to students who allegedly died by suicide following examination-related distress.
Addressing the gathering, speakers said students were now being forced to struggle simply to secure fair opportunities in education. They alleged that repeated examination failures had shattered the aspirations of thousands of young people and urged the government to restore public confidence through transparent, merit-based examinations and admissions.
Student representatives said the movement had evolved into a youth-led campaign demanding educational justice and accountability, adding that protests would continue until meaningful reforms were introduced.
A student delegation later submitted a memorandum to the district administration with the following demands:
Immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged failure to prevent repeated examination paper leaks and irregularities.
Financial compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide due to distress caused by exam paper leaks and flaws in the examination system.
Immediate withdrawal of all cases registered against students who participated in protests demanding justice.
Introduction of a transparent, fair, merit-based, and accountable examination and admission system across the country to restore students' trust in the education system.