India's 'Cockroach movement' demands education minister's resignation amid exam leak

India's crucial NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance examination, originally held on May 3rd, was canceled following confirmed allegations of a paper leak. The Ministry of Education, led by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, acknowledged a "breach in the chain of command" and initiated a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter. Students were required to retake the test on June 21, 2026, under significantly heightened security measures, including biometric checks, metal detectors, armed patrols, and even air force assistance for paper transport, with the messaging app Telegram also temporarily blocked to prevent further leaks.

Amidst this controversy, a student-led "Cockroach Janta Party" movement emerged, fueled by outrage over a Supreme Court judge's earlier remarks comparing unemployed youth to "cockroaches." This movement has garnered significant support, with protesters, including hundreds of students, demanding Education Minister Pradhan's resignation over the repeated examination irregularities. Recent demonstrations near Parliament in New Delhi on June 20, 2026, saw participants banging steel plates as a symbolic act of protest.

The current exam leak is not an isolated incident, as similar allegations and controversies, including paper leaks in the NEET-UG 2024 and 2025 exams, have plagued India's examination system in recent years, prompting calls for systemic reforms. The "Cockroach movement" has broadened its advocacy beyond exam integrity to address wider concerns such as unemployment and the rising cost of living, reflecting deeper frustrations among the youth.