Congress Launches Nationwide Campaign Against Examination Irregularities and Youth Unemployment, Rahul Gandhi to Lead Student Outreach

The campaign will feature a series of student conventions in major cities and seeks to draw attention to the challenges faced by millions of young Indians whose futures, according to the party, have been repeatedly jeopardised by paper leaks, rising examination costs and the government's inability to ensure a fair, transparent and credible education and recruitment framework.

In a statement, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said the initiative would focus on securing accountability for recurring examination scandals, pressing for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and demanding a parliamentary discussion on the rights, opportunities and future of students and job aspirants.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to conduct student conventions in several cities over the course of the campaign. The programme will begin in Kota on June 17, followed by events in Allahabad on July 10 and Patna on July 11, before concluding in Delhi on July 14. The conventions are expected to bring together students, job aspirants, youth organisations, educators and others affected by examination-related controversies.

The Congress said the movement reflects Rahul Gandhi’s conviction that the aspirations of young Indians must not be sacrificed to corruption, incompetence or political indifference. The party stated that the campaign aims to unite students beyond political affiliations while providing a platform for affected youth to share their experiences and demand accountability for repeated examination failures and paper leak scandals.

The statement also described Gandhi as the “most consistent and credible advocate for India’s students and youth,” underscoring the party’s efforts to position the campaign as a national movement focused on educational and employment concerns.

Among the key demands to be raised during the outreach programme are the decentralisation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the abolition of examination fees and strict legal action against those involved in paper leak networks. The party will also intensify its demand for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, seeking accountability at the highest levels of government for repeated examination irregularities.

The campaign marks a significant escalation in the Congress party’s efforts to challenge the government over youth-related issues, placing examination integrity, educational reforms and employment opportunities at the centre of the national political debate.