Shiv Sena (UBT) attacks centre over NEET, CBSE controversies; questions IAF role in exam paper transport

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders on Friday attacked the Centre over the alleged irregularities in the NEET and CBSE examination processes, saying the controversies had brought to light the "inefficiency" of the education system. In separate statements on X, party leaders Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut particularly targeted the Union Education Ministry, demanding action against those responsible for the alleged lapses.

Referring to reports about plans to use the Indian Air Force (IAF) to transport NEET-UG examination papers for the June 21 retest, Raut said they reflect governance "failure". In a post on X, Raut said that the armed forces protect the country's borders, not "cover up NTA (National Testing Agency) and the education ministry's incompetence". "This is a shameful admission of governance failure. After years of NEET paper leaks destroying the dreams of lakhs of students, the government now wants the Air Force to transport question papers," he said.

The government is exploring the possibility of using the IAF for transportation of NEET-UG papers to ensure the foolproof conduct of the June 21 retest, official sources had said on Thursday. The option was explored at a high-level meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia in New Delhi.

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No final decision has been taken, and the option would be placed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a final view, they said. Raut alleged that instead of fixing the system and punishing the guilty, the Centre was attempting to use the military as a "band-aid solution". "Why should the Defence Minister have to chair meetings with the Education Minister for basic exam logistics? This only exposes the incompetence of the NTA and the Education Ministry," the Rajya Sabha member claimed.

He demanded strict action against those responsible for paper leaks and called for reforms to restore transparency and credibility in the system. "Students deserve real accountability," the Sena (UBT) leader added. Thackeray said the "absolute chaos" in the two examinations not only shows the "inefficiency" of those on the boards and HRD ministry to conduct these exams but also damaged the global repute, trust and employability of India's talented, hardworking youth.

He demanded accountability from the Centre, saying there could be "no justice" for lakhs of students and their families unless Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and officials responsible for exams in the National Testing Agency (NTA) and CBSE were removed from their posts. He also called for strict action against those allegedly involved in the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the mishandling of the CBSE process.

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"Unless the strictest possible action is taken against those involved in the NEET paper leak and the mishandling of CBSE's OSM (On-Screen Marking) process, there is no point promising a 'Viksit Bharat 2047'," he said. He also urged the government to undertake urgent reforms in the education and examination systems. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, was conducted on May 3 across 551 Indian cities and at 14 overseas centres.

Nearly 23 lakh candidates had registered for the test, which was conducted by the NTA. On May 12, the NTA cancelled NEET-UG amid allegations of paper leak. A re-examination has been scheduled for June 21. The CBI, which is probing the case, has conducted searches across the country. So far, 13 accused have been arrested in this case from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nasik, Pune, Latur and Ahilyanagar.