The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had openly extended support to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters demanding the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper
leak, is now facing fire over the alleged Punjab State Teachers Eligibility Test (PSTET) paper leak in 2023, with the opposition demanding the resignation of the state’s Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.
Reacting to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s denial of any instances of paper leaks during his tenure, the BJP and the Congress questioned the government’s changing stand and pressed for the education minister’s resignation.
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya said CM Mann had himself acknowledged the alleged PSTET 2023 paper leak in a video in March 2023. However, he is now denying any paper leaks during his tenure.
How Did Punjab’s Paper Leak Come Into Focus?
The controversy erupted after AAP leader Manish Sisodia, while speaking at the Jantar Mantar protest, claimed that no exam paper leaks had occurred during the last four years of AAP rule.
“If any such paper leak happens in Punjab then I, (Arvind Kejriwal), and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sahab together will immediately sack Punjab’s education minister… not a single paper has leaked in Punjab in the past four years,” Sisodia said.
What Punjab Govt Said On Paper Leak Controversy?
Denying any examination paper leaks during his tenure, CM Mann said, “In over four years of our government, not a single paper has leaked in Punjab. Recently, when an attempt to facilitate cheating in the pharmacy exam came to our notice, we acted immediately. All those involved were arrested… NEET paper leaked in 2017, 2024 and now 2026. It is a complete failure of the BJP-led Centre.”
Also Read: ‘No Paper Leaks Under AAP Rule In Punjab’: Bhagwant Mann Rejects Opposition’s Allegations
Meanwhile, Education Minister Bains said that the 2026 pharmacy exam was organised under Health Minister Balbir Singh and did not come under his department.
“Firstly, it was not a paper leak, it was cheating. Those who cheated were held on the spot. In fact, Punjab should be rewarded for such swift action. Also, the matter is not of my department, but since the Cabinet has an overall responsibility, I cannot run away,” Bains said.
“I was the only state education minister who went to Jantar Mantar and supported students on the ground. If my resignation helps the education system, I am for it any time… But none can defame Punjab by claiming false paper leaks. It is no more Udta Punjab, it is Padhta Punjab,” he added.
Meanwhile, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal also denied any paper leaks in Punjab during nearly five years of AAP rule.
Opposition Questions AAP’s Changing Stand
Taking to X, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya questioned when Bains will resign and accused Mann and Kejriwal of changing their stand over the paper leak issue.
“When is Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains resigning? Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal are facing serious questions over their shifting stand on paper leaks. In a video from March 2023, Bhagwant Mann himself acknowledged that the PSTET 2023 paper had been leaked. Today, however, he claims that not a single examination paper has leaked during his government’s tenure. Which statement should the people of Punjab believe?” Malviya said.
When is Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains resigning?
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal are facing serious questions over their shifting stand on paper leaks.
In a video from March 2023, Bhagwant Mann himself acknowledged that the PSTET 2023 paper had been… pic.twitter.com/IJ3aahzxeB
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 29, 2026
“Over the past four years, Punjab has witnessed repeated controversies involving the Naib Tehsildar, PSTET, PSEB Class 12, ADO, PSSSB Group-B, and now the 454 Pharmacist recruitment examination. The biggest victims of these exam scandals are lakhs of honest aspirants. Instead of denying the problem, the government must answer their questions. Repeating claims does not restore the faith of Punjab’s youth. If there was a paper leak in 2023, why deny it now? And if there wasn’t, why did the Chief Minister say otherwise then?” he added.
Also Read: ‘Shameless’: BJP Mounts Attack On Punjab Education Minister Over Paper Leaks Row, Asks ‘When Will He Resign?’
Meanwhile, Congress MLA and former Education Minister Pargat Singh wrote on X: “Instead of accepting accountability for the #PaperLeak in Punjab, CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal are repeatedly claiming that ‘no paper leak ever took place’. But the record tells a different story. In this March 2023 video, with Arvind Kejriwal by his side, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself acknowledged the PSTET paper leak and promised strict action against those responsible. If there was no paper leak, what was the Chief Minister talking about then?”
What Happened In March 2023?
On March 13, 2023, the Punjab government cancelled the Punjab State Teacher Eligibility Test (PSTET) 2023 after allegations surfaced that answer keys had been printed on the question paper.
To maintain complete fairness in our examination process, a PS level probe has been ordered to look in to PSTET exam conducted by a third Party with A++ NAAC grade i.e. GNDU.
Accountability will be fixed & those found guilty will be booked for criminal negligence.
— Harjot Singh Bains (@harjotbains) March 13, 2023
Announcing the decision on X (formerly Twitter), Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the examination would be conducted afresh for all candidates. He added that the revised examination schedule would be announced in due course.
The CJP were holding protests over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which had left lakhs of students affected nationwide.
The party ended its 36-day sit-in at Jantar Mantar on Saturday after the Centre accepted several of its key demands. These included the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, withdrawal of FIRs against protesters, protection from retaliatory action and a commitment to examine wider reforms in the examination system.
