Lok Sabha adjourned to July 27 amid NEET paper leak protests

The Lok Sabha was adjourned until July 27 on Friday, the fifth consecutive day of the Monsoon Session, as opposition protests over an alleged paper leak in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 brought parliamentary proceedings to a standstill. The session, which began on July 20, has been marred by repeated disruptions, with opposition members demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The day's session began with Speaker Om Birla paying tributes to the armed forces ahead of Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed on July 26. Soon after, opposition members raised slogans and rushed to the Well of the House, chanting demands for the minister's resignation. Despite repeated appeals from the presiding officer and the Speaker to allow the House to function, the protests continued, forcing an initial adjournment until noon. When the House reconvened, the deadlock persisted, leading to a final adjournment until 11 a.m. on July 27.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated the government's willingness to hold a discussion on the examination issue, stating there was broad agreement among parties for a debate. He urged opposition...