Modi Addresses Exam Leaks as Youth-Led Protests Spread Across India
The prime minister vowed strict action against those responsible, but did not directly comment on the ongoing 'Cockroach' protests demanding the education minister's resignation.
Talivio News · Global2 min read
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly addressed a series of exam paper leaks that have triggered nationwide youth-led protests, vowing stringent punishment for those responsible. In his remarks, made on social media platform X, Modi wrote: 'Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth.' He also stated that action had been taken to hold those accountable, with reports that 13 people have been arrested in connection with the leaks.
The demonstrations, referred to as the 'Cockroach' protests, were sparked by the serial leaks of exam papers, which forced the cancellation of the country's undergraduate medical exam affecting around 2.2 million students. Thousands of protesters, led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demonstrated in New Delhi, with the movement spreading to other cities including Mumbai and Bengaluru. The protests have become one of the biggest challenges to Modi since his re-election for a third term in 2024.
Modi, in a rare video address on Friday night, did not directly comment on the student protests but repeatedly thanked the nation's youth. He announced that those involved in the leaks would face speedy trials and that fast-track courts would be established. However, he refused to sack Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a demand made by protesters. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has called on Modi to step down.
The protests have been marked by clashes with police. In New Delhi, fresh clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel, with metro services partly closed. Activists accused police of exercising 'absolute brutality' against peaceful protesters. Student activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike over the leaks. The CJP protest has been described as India's biggest student movement in years.
According to sources, representatives of Modi have agreed to compensate families affected by a major exam leak. Nationwide protests were prepared by students on Friday, with protesters occupying streets in New Delhi.
The exam leaks and subsequent protests represent a significant challenge to Modi's administration, which is now in its third term. The government's response, including arrests and promises of fast-track courts, aims to quell the unrest, but the protesters' core demand—the resignation of the education minister—remains unaddressed.
Updates
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following the mass protests, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appointed Pralhad Joshi as his successor. Additionally, a task force led by Nandan Nilekani has been established to reform the examination system. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which proposes doubling the maximum prison term for paper leaks to 10 years.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned following mass youth-led protests, leading Prime Minister Modi to appoint Pralhad Joshi as his successor. To reform the examination system, a new task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has been announced. Additionally, the Rajya Sabha passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, amidst ongoing demonstrations.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned following the mass protests, and Prime Minister Modi has appointed Pralhad Joshi as his successor. To address the crisis, a task force led by Nandan Nilekani will reform the examination system, while the Rajya Sabha has passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. Additionally, the Supreme Court has ordered the release of all detained protesters under 18 who have no prior criminal records.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following the mass protests, leading Prime Minister Modi to appoint Pralhad Joshi as his successor and establish a reform task force led by Nandan Nilekani. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which proposes doubling the maximum prison term for paper leaks to 10 years and increasing fines to over US$1 million. Amidst these developments, the Supreme Court has ordered the release of all detained protesters under 18 with no prior criminal records.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following the mass protests, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointing Pralhad Joshi as his successor. In a move to reform the system, Modi also announced a task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. Additionally, the Rajya Sabha passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, during late Thursday evening.
