NEET Paper Leak Protests and Counter-Protests

27 UPDATES · 35 DAYS · 22 JUL 2026 — 25 AUG 2026

KarnatakaPM ModiDelhiPatnaBiharBJPNarendra ModiRJD

Latest · 25 Aug 2026

Indian police used force to disperse protesters in Patna, Bihar, after a demonstration demanding job access and exam transparency.

What this timeline covers

This event covers the protests staged by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters and the opposition Congress party in Delhi and other cities against education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, including reactions, analyses, and follow-up developments. It excludes other actions by CJP supporters, Congress party members, and protests in other regions unless they are direct developments of the specific protests against education reforms and Pradhan's resignation.

The full story, from the beginning

22Jul

STORY BEGINS — BBC

CJP Supporters Defy Police Violence, Stage Protests in Delhi and Beyond

NDTV

Protests by the Cockroach Janta Party, Congress, and BJP over the NEET paper leak have escalated into counter-protests and negotiations.

The Hindu

BJP activists clashed with police and Congress supporters in Vijayawada, escalating tensions over the NEET-UG examination controversy.

Indian Express

Protests demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the 2026 NEET exam leak have escalated, with some alleging political orchestration and others supporting the students' cause.

The Hindu

Activists attempting to breach barricades during a protest march in Palakkad, India, were forcibly removed by police after the use of water cannons.

Indian Express

A crowd of 12,000 protesters clashed with police at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.

BBC

Thousands of CJP protesters clashed with Delhi police, using digital humor to document their experience during a protest demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

23Jul

The Hindu

Political parties in India expressed divergent views on the police response to the Cockroach Janta Party protest, with some defending the government's actions and others demanding accountability.

Indian Express

Students and others protested in Goa after a BJP leader's inflammatory remarks about protesters sparked controversy.

Indian Express

The BJP's allies, TDP and JD(U), offer cautious support to the students protesting the NEET paper leak, expressing concern about potential misuse of the movement.

24Jul

Indian Express

The government demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation in response to the NEET-UG paper leak, while the Opposition and the CJP remained firm on their demands.

Indian Express

Following a viral video of a Mumbai police officer allegedly grabbing a woman protester, the police denied misconduct claims and claimed the officer was attempting to apprehend a male protester.

NDTV

Delhi Police officers, Inspector NK Singh and Inspector Pradeep Rai, were attacked by mobs during a Cockroach Janta Party protest, alleging pre-planned attacks.

NDTV

CPI(ML) MLA Sandeep Saurav was arrested for allegedly inciting violence following violent protests in Patna over the NEET paper leak.

25Jul

NDTV

Tej Pratap Yadav, chief of Janshakthi Janta Dal (JJD), was detained by Bihar police while protesting the NEET paper leak.

26Jul

The Hindu

Tej Pratap Yadav was arrested for allegedly escalating NEET paper leak protests, leading to property damage, before an FIR was registered.

27Jul

The Hindu

Tejashwi Yadav threatened to resume protests if his brother and other arrested protesters were not released within 24 hours.

Indian Express

The Bihar government reversed its legal action against protesters who participated in demonstrations before 6:00 PM on July 26, 2026.

NDTV

TG Mohandas, former BJP Intellectual Cell convenor, defends controversial remarks suggesting shooting protesters and discusses "mass rapes," while RSS distances itself from his views.

NDTV

The Bihar government released 355 NEET protesters, dropped all related charges, and pardoned individuals like MLA Sandeep Saurav and former minister Tej Pratap Yadav.

Indian Express

Following a protest against the NEET paper leak, BJP supporters and leaders held rallies in Kolkata, leading to arrests under new anti-goonda laws.

28Jul

NDTV

The Assam government dropped all legal cases against protesters arrested for NEET-UG examination irregularities.

The Hindu

The Bihar government announced the withdrawal of all cases against protesters over the NEET paper leak and the release of those jailed.

29Jul

NDTV

Mohammad Sadaqat, a resident of Bihar, claims he was falsely charged by police despite being in Russia for four months.

Indian Express

Bihar authorities withdrew 64 FIRs against NEET protesters, but 21 cases in Siwan remain pending due to alleged criminal histories.

3 weeks later

18Aug

The Hindu

The Supreme Court, using Article 142, quashed FIRs against student protesters involved in NEET-UG protests, leading to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

25Aug

LATEST UPDATE — Al Jazeera

Indian police used force to disperse protesters in Patna, Bihar, after a demonstration demanding job access and exam transparency.

Awaiting next development