BY THE WAY: Gambling Their Future

Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer

The parents of India have been so much keen to see their wards joining coaching classes after 12th results are announced. Their dreams for their children being a doctor or engineer is directly linked to NEET and JEE exams, which is considered to be the first hurdle towards Medical College or Engineering college. After paying millions of rupees in private schools for a quality education in private schools, the parents risk their savings to send their ward for coaching to prepare him for these competitive exams.

This coaching is taken so seriously that parents ensure that children minimize the screen time on their phones, cut of themselves from social media to avoid distraction and ensure a healthy diet so that their children can focus on the course and score good marks to get a rank which gets them college of their choice. Let’s Talk this time about the NEET exams as this has been talk of the town and cancelled once again as the paper was leaked.

India’s National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) was created with the promise of transparency, merit, and equal opportunity. Instead, repeated controversies, paper leak allegations, grace-mark disputes, and administrative failures have shaken the confidence of millions of students and parents. What was once projected as a unified and corruption-free examination system is now being questioned from every corner of the country.
In 2024, NEET became one of the biggest educational controversies in India. Around 24 lakh students appeared for the exam, yet allegations of paper leaks emerged from Bihar and Gujarat. Investigations later led to multiple arrests, including students, brokers, and organized cheating rackets. Reports suggested that leaked papers were allegedly sold for ₹30–50 lakh.

The NEET-UG 2026 exam was cancelled after a massive paper leak scandal, leaving over 22 lakh students across India disappointed, anxious, and uncertain about their future. A re-exam has been scheduled for June 21, but the fiasco has already sparked outrage, protests, and tragic consequences, including reports of student suicides.

The controversy deepened when results showed unusual scores such as 718 and 719 out of 720 — mathematically impossible under the normal marking scheme. The National Testing Agency (NTA) later admitted that compensatory “grace marks” had been awarded to over 1,500 candidates due to loss of exam time. The Supreme Court eventually ordered a retest for those students, while criticizing inconsistencies in NTA’s handling of the matter.

Even in 2026, fresh allegations of leaks and organized cheating networks surfaced again. Investigations reportedly uncovered middlemen, leaked biology papers, and arrests connected to the exam process itself.

The biggest tragedy is not just corruption — it is the destruction of trust. Lakhs of hardworking students spend years preparing for NEET, sacrificing social life, mental peace, and family finances. When paper leaks happen, deserving candidates feel betrayed. It is also a matter of serious concern that Parents who have invested once again their hard-earned money to ensure a bright future for their children, but failed as our system is corrupted and do not care about future of this country called INDIA.

However, media sensationalism also creates unnecessary panic. Television debates often portray every aspirant as a future government medical college student, while the harsh reality remains that seats are limited and competition is intense.

This is why India needs structural reform, not emotional reactions.

A practical solution could be restoring a decentralized examination model. State governments should once again conduct entrance exams for their own 85% state quota seats, while a central body can manage the remaining 15% All India quota and central government medical colleges. Similarly, courses like BVSc, BSc Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Forestry, and allied sciences should have separate state-level examinations. A single centralized exam for everything creates excessive pressure and increases the risk of nationwide corruption.

Another important issue is accountability. Governments make policies, but implementation lies largely in the hands of bureaucrats and institutions. When failures happen, students suffer while officials escape responsibility. Examination authorities, administrators, and public servants must face strict accountability mechanisms for negligence or corruption.

The role of media must also be discussed. Instead of balanced reporting, many news channels amplify fear, outrage, and political drama for ratings. Responsible journalism should inform students, not emotionally manipulate them during already stressful situations.

The media has decided to make money on every tragedy and every success, they don’t care who lost or who wins, whether stock market ends up in red or student’s future is in dark they sell both with IPL and OTT success, they have become emotionless towards such a sensitive issue like NEET exams which was not cancelled due to Rain or Covid it was cancelled due to corruption
India’s education system also requires deeper reforms beyond exams. Real education should focus on scientific thinking, skill development, ethics, innovation, and factual history rather than politically twisted narratives. Students should be prepared for nation-building, not just coaching-center competition.

Debates on reservation, secularism, criminal eligibility in politics, and constitutional reforms are sensitive and complex. Any change in such areas must happen democratically, constitutionally, and with careful consideration for social justice, equality, and national unity. But one point is undeniable — merit, transparency, and accountability must become the foundation of every public institution. Education is one of the modes for Nation building as youths are our future and they will make this nation of the strongest in the world. Education have given us so many stalwarts like APJ Abudul Kalam, DR Manmohan Singh, People working ISRO, Doctors and Engineers who have contributed to this great country but those days I must say education was a noble cause like Doctors profession. Nowadays it is a corporate Mafia who charge u for every thing and with no guarantee of results. With all these challenges The Current dispensation has failed millions of aspirants this time by cancelling NEET exams.

Despite all controversies, one truth remains constant: honest preparation never goes to waste. Scams may temporarily help a few people, but knowledge, discipline, and persistence ultimately decide long-term success. Students preparing for NEET 2026 should not lose hope because of the failures of institutions.
India does not just need a new exam system. It needs a system that rewards honesty, protects merit, and restores faith in the future of its youth.

(STRAIGHT TALK COMMUNICATIONS EXCLUSIVE)