Newstrack: Govt approves anti-paper leak law amid NEET protests

The government has initiated a major overhaul of the examination system following weeks of nationwide student protests over paper leaks. The Cabinet approved amendments to the Public Examinations Act 2024 to introduce tougher provisions and designated fast-track courts for paper leak cases. As part of administrative restructuring, Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi was replaced by Naresh Pal Gangwar, and 47 National Testing Agency officials were terminated.

Meanwhile, Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh held talks with the CJP delegation after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike. While progress was made regarding compensation and cases against peaceful protesters, the deadlock persists over the opposition's demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

Concurrently, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University issued advisories warning students against participating in unlawful demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, sparking sharp political debate.