Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the welfare of the country’s youth is the government’s top priority and announced the setting up of fast-track courts to ensure swift action in paper leak cases.

In a post on X, Modi said those attempting to harm the future of students would not be spared and directed authorities to take all necessary steps to address paper leaks. He described the decision to establish fast-track courts as part of the government’s efforts to safeguard students’ interests.

The remarks came days after student protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, during which thousands marched to Parliament demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Police action during the protest left several students and police personnel injured.

Earlier this week, Modi raised the issue at a meeting of the NDA Parliamentary Party, where he called paper leaks a “grave sin” and urged the Centre and state governments to work together to prevent such incidents. According to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the Prime Minister said immediate action had been taken after reports of the NEET paper leak emerged and highlighted the conduct of the re-examination to minimise disruption for students.

The government has also expressed its willingness to hold a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue during the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, which has witnessed repeated disruptions over the matter.

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