Demand for improvement in education system

This year, students held strong protests against irregularities in examinations like UPPSC to NEET.
These movements not only exposed the shortcomings of educational institutions but also gave rise to national debate on policies, administrative responsibilities and reforms.

1. Demand for investigation into irregularities in NEET exam

• Date: June 2024.
• Oppose:
  • Students demonstrated outside the Education Ministry demanding an investigation into alleged irregularities in the NEET exam.
  • Blame:
    • Questions were raised when 67 students simultaneously got 720 marks out of 720.
  • Cleanliness of NTA:
    • Denying any irregularity, he said that the better performance was due to NCERT’s new pattern and grace marks.
    • Grace marks were given due to delay in the paper at the examination centres.

2. UPPSC performance: Demand for one day one shift

• Date: 13 November 2024.
• Oppose:
  • Over 30,000 students raised their voice against the changes in UP PCS and RO exams.
  • The students demanded that the examination should be conducted in the old method of “one day, one shift”.
• outcome:
  • Under pressure from students, Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) withdrew its decision and announced to conduct the exam in one day, one shift.

3. Demonstration against irregularities in BPSC examination

• Date: 13 December 2024.
• Oppose:
  • Students staged massive demonstrations due to alleged paper leak in PT examination of Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC).
  • Allegations of irregularities were made at Bapu Examination Center in Patna.
• Demand of students:
  • To re-conduct the examination in the entire state.
• Commission’s decision:
  • Ordered to conduct re-examination only at Bapu Examination Center in Patna.
  • The protest still continues.

4. Delhi’s IP University: Demonstration after suicide

• Event:
  • In September 2024, Gautam Kumar, a first year MBA student of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, committed suicide by jumping from the hostel building.
  • Reason:
    • Expulsion for drug use and alcohol consumption.
• Display:
  • The students demonstrated extensively against the university administration, calling the expulsion unfair.

5. IIT Guwahati: Protest over suicides

• Date: September 2024.
• Event:
  • A 21-year-old B.Tech student committed suicide in the hostel.
• Oppose:
  • The students accused the institute of creating a toxic environment.
  • The protesters raised questions on mental health and aspects of neglect.
• Result:
  • After the protest, Dean of the institute Prof. Kanduru V Krishna resigned.