Arvind Kejriwal, Aam Aadmi Party chief and former Delhi chief minister, urged NEET-UG 2026 candidates to remain determined following a paper leak [1].
The situation highlights the systemic instability of India's medical entrance exams, where candidates face significant psychological and financial stress when tests are cancelled [2].
Kejriwal addressed students nationwide in May 2026 after the NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled due to a paper leak [1]. In a motivational message, he acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, saying, "Taking exam twice is no joke, stay calm" [3]. He encouraged the candidates to maintain their focus and not lose hope as they prepare for the re-exam, which is set to proceed as scheduled [3].
Beyond emotional support, Kejriwal sought logistical relief for the students. He appealed for the provision of free bus travel to ensure that candidates could reach their testing centers without additional financial burden [4].
However, the AAP leader also used the occasion to launch a political attack on the administration. On May 12, 2026, Kejriwal said that the paper leak was a result of political patronage [5]. He urged students to take their grievances to the streets to demand accountability from the government.
"This is the biggest betrayal; the Union Government only understands the language of mass agitation," Kejriwal said [5].
Kejriwal's dual approach combines a supportive mentor role with a political strategist, attempting to mobilize a frustrated student demographic against the central government [5].
“"Taking exam twice is no joke, stay calm."”
The intersection of high-stakes educational testing and political activism in India often turns exam irregularities into catalysts for larger social unrest. By framing a technical failure—the paper leak—as a result of political patronage, Kejriwal is attempting to channel student anxiety into a organized political movement against the Union Government.
