Protests Erupt Over NEET-UG Irregularities in West Bengal

Protests erupted near West Bengal Education Department's headquarters, highlighting alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance and delays in state college admissions. The TMC called for a Supreme Court-monitored probe amid rising student frustrations. The BJP rejected paper leak claims while the Centre cancelled grace marks for certain candidates.

Protests broke out near the West Bengal Education Department's headquarters in Salt Lake on Thursday over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam and delayed admissions at state-run colleges.

The TMC expressed solidarity with disgruntled students, urging a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the issue. Demonstrators, led by the All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO), were halted by police while marching towards Bikash Bhavan. Despite initial attempts to disperse the crowd, some protesters were detained by authorities.

TMC spokesperson Santanu Sen accused the BJP-led central government of mishandling the situation, jeopardizing the future of many aspiring doctors. Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan dismissed claims of a NEET-UG paper leak, noting the lack of evidence. The Centre advised that 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates would be offered a re-test on June 23 after cancelling grace marks.