CM Denounces Paper Leaks, Defends AAP Record
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted on Sunday that no paper leak has occurred in the state during the four-and-a-half-year tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Speaking at a felicitation event for government school students who cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in Zirakpur, Mann highlighted the contrast between his administration's record and national incidents.
Swift Action Against Cheating Attempt
Mann cited a recent example to back his claim. “Recently, when an attempt to facilitate cheating in the pharmacy officer examination came to our notice, we acted immediately. Twenty-one persons involved in the racket were arrested. There will be no compromise with students’ future,” he said. The chief minister contrasted this with ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak, calling it part of a recurring national problem.
Criticism of Union Government
“Unfortunately, this is not the first such incident of paper leak. The country witnessed paper leaks in 2017, 2024 and now again in 2026. This is a complete failure of the Union Government and is highly condemnable, intolerable and unpardonable,” Mann said, taking aim at the central administration.
Record NEET Results in Punjab Government Schools
Mann highlighted that a record 882 students from Punjab government schools qualified for NEET this year, a sharp rise from just 82 in 2022. “The meritorious students of government schools have once again proved that when children are given opportunities and access to quality education, no dream is beyond their reach,” he wrote in a post on X. The chief minister also noted that Aryan Gupta, who secured All-India Rank 1 in this year’s NEET, hails from Ludhiana. Nearly 20 lakh students appeared for NEET nationwide this year.
Role of PACE Programme
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, Cabinet minister Harjot Singh Bains, and other dignitaries congratulated the students. Bains credited the success to the state’s PACE (Punjab Academic Coaching for Excellence) Programme, which provides free coaching, mentorship, mock tests, and career guidance in partnership with institutions like Avanti and Mantra for Change.
