NEW DELHI: Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of the country’s youth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as he announced that fast-track courts would be set up to ensure the speedy trial of those involved in examination paper leaks.In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students.” He added, “Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared.“The announcement comes at a time when the NEET-UG 2026 examination continues to dominate the national conversation. More than a month after the re-examination was conducted, questions over the examination process have shifted from the alleged paper leak to OMR discrepancies, result-related complaints and the grievance redressal mechanism, while protests demanding accountability continue at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.Protests continue weeks after re-examinationThe latest announcement comes against the backdrop of one of the longest-running student protests over a national entrance examination in recent years. Since June, students, parents and youth groups have continued demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, demanding greater transparency in the conduct of competitive examinations.Among the prominent voices supporting the agitation is climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who entered the 26th day of his indefinite hunger strike on July 23. Wangchuk, who began the fast on June 28 in solidarity with protesting students, has said he will end his fast only after receiving an assurance that no punitive action will be taken against young protesters. He was shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after his health deteriorated.Student organisations, including the Students Federation of India (SFI), the All India Students Association (AISA) and members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have continued to press for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, wider reforms in the examination system, greater transparency in the functioning of national testing agencies and action against officials responsible for alleged irregularities.Controversy widened after paper leakThe controversy began with allegations surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, eventually leading to the decision to reconduct the examination. The re-examination was held on June 21 for more than 20 lakh candidates across 5,440 centres in India and 14 overseas centres under enhanced security arrangements.However, the re-test did not bring the controversy to an end. After the National Testing Agency displayed scanned OMR sheets and recorded responses between July 13 and July 15, several candidates alleged discrepancies involving OMR sheets, recorded answers and final scores. While the NTA has stated that investigations into some complaints found AI-generated or tampered documents and warned of legal action against those submitting fabricated records, other candidates continue to seek verification of their original OMR sheets.Compensation demand and broader questionsThe protests have also expanded beyond demands for a fair examination process. Protesting groups have sought ?1 crore in compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who they say died by suicide following the examination controversy. They have also called for structural reforms to strengthen the credibility and transparency of national entrance examinations.Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister’s announcement of fast-track courts marks the government’s latest response to concerns over examination integrity. Whether the move addresses the wider demands being raised by students and parents—including transparency in evaluation, grievance redressal and institutional accountability—is likely to remain part of the continuing public debate as the NEET-UG 2026 controversy unfolds.
