Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday attacked the Center at the ‘Chatron Ki Jung’ rally in Dehradun over repeated leaks of examination papers, alleging that the country’s education system has reached a point where leaked question papers are available at fixed prices and sophisticated technology is being used to rig recruitment and entrance exams.
Addressing the gathering, Gandhi used a series of drawings to argue that paper leaks had become institutionalized, and claimed that honest students were paying the price of a system that favored the privileged few.
“Paper Rate Ka” with price tags
Showing a graph titled ‘Paper Ka Rate’, Gandhi claimed that examination papers were being sold like products at pre-determined prices.
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A chart shown during his speech listed the alleged prices of the leaked papers, including: $40 lakh for NEET UG 2026, $15 lakh each for IIT-JEE 2021 and Uttarakhand Patwari 2025, $10 Lakh for Bihar Teacher Recruitment Examination 2024, and $25 lakh for Odisha Police Inspector Exam 2025.
“High technology is used for paper leaking; if you have millions, you can choose from the menu card for paper leaking,” Gandhi said.
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The opposition leader also counted four types of injustices faced by students, according to him. “There are four types of injustice that you face. The first is the cost of education… The second is that 4 out of 5 doors are closed. The third is that out of 150 students, only one boy or girl can succeed. The last and most egregious injustice is ‘paper leakage’. The truth is that there is not just one way, but two ways. Our discussion today focuses on this issue: paper leakage. How does paper leakage happen, who is responsible, and what could be the proposed solutions?…”
“Leaking paper has become the norm.”
The Congressman claimed that repeated leaks of exams reflect the state of India’s education system.
“The education system in India has reached such a point that leaking papers has become normal,” Gandhi said.
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He also showed another infographic titled ‘Paper Leakage Epidemic’, which claimed that 7.5 crore students were affected by 152 cases of paper leakage, while there were no convictions.
“The entire system has been taken over.”
Using another illustration titled “System Par Kabza,” Gandhi claimed that the problem extends across the environmental screening system.
The graphic depicts different layers of the system, naming the ministry, the National Examinations Agency (NTA), vendors, paper processors, translators, printers and transporters, training centers and examination centres.
He added: “1% uses the system and follows the path of paper leakage and harms the other 99% of the honorable and the poor.”
He demands compensation and new tests
Demanding immediate relief to the affected candidates, Gandhi said that students suffering due to leakage of papers should get protection and compensation.
He said: “Students must be protected, those who suffer from leaked papers must be compensated, and the exam must be repeated immediately.”
Pushing towards a student-centred examination system
Gandhi called for comprehensive reforms and said that the current examination framework is centered around the government and not students.
“Today’s examination system is government-centric, and we want a student-centric system, secure question banks, and randomized question papers,” he said.
He also said that the Indian testing model has failed to keep pace with technological advancement.
“The current examination testing system dates back to the 19th century, and we must develop a system for the 21st century,” Gandhi said.
Gandhi said addressing paper leaks should not become a political issue and called on all parties to work together. He said: “It is possible that there will be a political consensus on ending the leaks of papers, which everyone must implement.”
