Rahul Gandhi slams SSC exam cancellation, says 85 lakh students hit by paper leaks, rigged recruitments in 2025

Congress leader targets Central Govt over repeated exam failures, he said youth dreams have been shattered due to growing unemployment crisis.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has hit out at central government over irregularities in recruitment examinations, highlighting how lakhs of students are suffering due to paper leaks, last minute cancellations, and poor exam management. Discussing details of recent SSC Phase-13 exam issue, he said that aspirants travelled around 400–500 kilometres were informed at centre that their exams were cancelled or postponed, without prior notice.

In a social media post, Gandhi said this was not a one off incident but a reflection of a decade long pattern of negligence and failure. “In the last 10 years, over 80 papers, including NEET, UGC-NET, UPPSC, BPSC, and board exams, have faced blatant rigging. This year alone, the future of 85 lakh children has been affected by such malpractices. The government has failed to curb these issues, and its grand promises of transparency and reform in recruitment exams have proven hollow,” he said.

Many of the candidates reported that they reached exam centres after long travel only to find chaos there. Some were told the exam has been cancelled. Others reported they were denied entry despite carrying valid admit cards. Some of the aspirants reported that neither local officials nor recruitment board provided any clear communication, leaving them confused and distressed.

Rahul Gandhi criticised government for betraying dreams of youth. “Lakhs of young people prepare for years to secure a government job. Their families make financial and emotional sacrifices. When exams are cancelled due to leaks or scams, their hopes are crushed. This is not just mismanagement, it’s an assault on aspirations of a generation,” he said.

Gandhi linked exam issues to problem of unemployment and joblessness. Recalling his party’s proposed "Right to Apprenticeship" scheme, Gandhi in his post reiterated promise of a one year paid apprenticeship with ₹1 lakh annual stipend for every graduate under 25, and filling of 30 lakh vacant govt posts.

SSC Phase-13 incident has once again brought exam transparency into focus, especially after recent controversies surrounding NEET-UG and UGC-NET. With several exams being cancelled, rescheduled, or mired in paper leak controvercy this year. Student groups and opposition leaders have accused government of failing to build a secure, reliable exam system.