Punjab News Daily
Chandigarh, May 13

Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Central government over the recurring NEET-UG paper leak scandals, accusing it of systematically destroying the country’s education system and pushing lakhs of hardworking students into despair for the benefit of a “medical mafia”.

Addressing a press conference, Dr Balbir Singh said nearly 22 lakh students spend years preparing day and night for competitive exams like NEET under immense pressure, only to later discover that the paper had already been leaked and sold in several states including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. He alleged that the paper was initially sold for Rs 5 lakh and later distributed for as low as Rs 30,000 shortly before the examination.

Dr Balbir Singh said the biggest tragedy is that deserving and meritorious students are being crushed while incompetent candidates are buying their way into the medical profession through leaked papers. “The country’s Gen-Z, which is supposed to become the future doctors of India, is being betrayed. If people who purchase leaked papers become doctors, what kind of healthcare system are we creating?” he questioned.

The minister said the paper leak racket has been operating since 2015 and has only expanded under the Centre government despite repeated promises of reform. He pointed out that even after the formation of the National Testing Agency (NTA), at least 16 paper leaks took place, followed by major scandals in 2021, 2024 and now again in 2026. He alleged that electronic devices and organised criminal networks were being used to run these leaks with political protection.

Dr Balbir Singh said the Centre government routinely announces new agencies and committees after every scam, while no real accountability is fixed and no major culprits are punished. “The CBI files FIRs, the government issues statements, but no one is jailed. Witnesses have even died in such cases, yet no responsibility is fixed. This has become the biggest education scam in the country,” he said.