NEET, JEE systems unfair, cruel extortion machines that exclude majority: Rahul Gandhi in Kota

KOTA: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on the country’s medical and engineering entrance examination systems, labelling them an "unfair and cruel loot" designed to systematically exclude the vast majority of aspirants.

He was speaking at a massive youth convention titled 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' (The Students' Echo), organised by the Congress party at the Shriram Rangmanch in Kota's Dashara Maidan, where he interacted directly with thousands of competitive exam coaching students.

Rahul began his address with a detailed data presentation highlighting the staggering financial burden borne by student families against their actual chances of success. According to the figures presented by the Congress leader, around 22 lakh students across the country spend a combined Rs 1.32 lakh crore on NEET preparation alone. He contrasted this with the Union Budget, pointing out that the central government allocated just Rs 1.4 lakh crore for the entire nation's education sector.

Similarly, he noted that 15 lakh students spend nearly Rs 1.3 lakh crore attempting to crack the JEE, yet the employment outlook remains grim.

"Today, 80 out of every 100 engineering graduates in this country are unemployed," Rahul stated, adding that the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts these high-stakes exams, lacks any sense of commitment or accountability toward the student community.

The convention, held in BJP-ruled Rajasthan, also saw sparks of political friction. Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot alleged that systematic attempts were made to disrupt the event, claiming that Congress posters and cutouts were deliberately destroyed by opponents in several parts of the city ahead of the convention.