NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP
Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a fresh attack on the Centre after reports emerged that the CUET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled and delayed at several centres across the country due to technical glitches.
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul alleged that the government had failed to conduct major national examinations fairly and efficiently, citing controversies surrounding NEET, CBSE, SSC and now CUET.
In a post on X, he wrote: "NEET. CBSE. SSC. And today CUET. Four exams. One crore children. Not a single one conducted with honesty."
"Claims of 'world guru', but can't conduct even one exam in the country - Modi ji has completely ruined the entire education system. The generation whose future you are destroying - that same generation will hold you accountable," he added.
Rahul's remarks came after the
National Testing Agency (NTA) acknowledged that a technical glitch at the end of its technology partner, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) delayed the commencement of CUET-UG 2026 at several examination centres on Saturday.
According to the NTA, the issue was later resolved and candidates were provided full compensatory time to ensure that no student was disadvantaged. However, reports from multiple cities suggested that thousands of students were left waiting for hours before examinations could begin.
Several opposition leaders joined Rahul Gandhi in criticising the government over the CUET disruption.
Former Delhi chief minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said the government was more focused on 'theatrics' than addressing systemic failures in examinations. Referring to the Centre's decision to use Air Force aircraft for transporting NEET question papers, Kejriwal questioned whether such measures would actually prevent leaks.
"Air Force ships will be used to prevent paper leaks in NEET. Will this stop paper leaks? How is our government talking like uneducated people?" he wrote on X.
AAP leader Atishi also targeted the Centre, claiming that the latest disruption reflected a pattern of administrative failures.
"First NEET, then CBSE, now CUET. Today CUET has been delayed due to a 'technical issue'. Lakhs of students were to take the exam in all parts of India today and after waiting for hours, such notices have been put up outside all centres. Remarkable incompetence," she said.
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj raised concerns about the possibility of a security breach, questioning whether students receiving question papers at different times could compromise the fairness of the examination process.
AAP spokesperson Anurag Dhanda also criticised the government, alleging that lakhs of students had been made to report to examination centres early in the morning only to face long delays due to technical problems.
The NTA has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and said revised schedules were issued for affected sessions. It also launched helpline support for students and parents.
The latest controversy adds to a series of examination-related disputes that have put the government's testing and recruitment mechanisms under scrutiny.
The NEET-UG examination was rocked by allegations of a paper leak and irregularities, triggering nationwide protests by students and parents and leading to court intervention.
The issue sparked a political storm, with opposition parties accusing the Centre of failing to safeguard the integrity of one of the country's most important entrance examinations.
Meanwhile, concerns were also raised over alleged irregularities in CBSE examinations, including complaints related to OMR sheet handling and evaluation procedures.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has also faced criticism in recent months over delays and administrative issues affecting recruitment examinations.
Introduced in 2022, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) serves as a standardised national-level entrance examination for admission to undergraduate programmes across central, state and participating universities.
The examination was designed to provide a common platform for admissions and is one of the largest entrance tests conducted in the country.
Follow Us On Social Media