Privilege Motion Against Dharmendra Pradhan: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has moved a privilege notice against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after he accused him of making “derogatory” remarks
against a parliamentary committee during the ongoing controversy over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha on Monday submitted a privilege notice against Pradhan, alleging that his comments had lowered the dignity of Parliament and showed “contempt” towards parliamentary committees.
“I have given notice of a question of privilege under Rule 187 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States against the Union Minister of Education for having lowered the dignity of Parliament and Parliamentary Committees.
“He has made these outrageous remarks while presiding over the rot in the education ministry that is destroying the future of lakhs of youths across the country,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
I have given notice of question of privilege under Rule 187 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States against the Union Minister of Education for having lowered the dignity of Parliament and Parliamentary Committees. He has made these outrageous… pic.twitter.com/UdkFW6g1tc
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 18, 2026
The controversy relates to remarks made by Pradhan during a press conference on May 15, days after the National Testing Agency cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination following allegations of a paper leak.
According to Ramesh, Pradhan was asked by reporters why the Education Ministry had not implemented recommendations made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education regarding reforms in the NTA.
Ramesh quoted Pradhan as saying, “I will not comment on parliamentary standing committee red flags. The parliamentary standing committee has members from the opposition. They write things in a certain manner.”
The Congress leader called the remarks “outrageous” and accused the minister of insulting Parliament and its committees.
Ramesh said it is well established that any derogatory references to parliamentary committees or members of parliamentary committees constitute a “gross contempt” of such committees, which in turn constitutes contempt of the House.
“I, therefore, request that privilege proceedings be initiated against Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education, in this matter,” Ramesh said in his notice.
A parliamentary panel is reviewing the implementation of reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) following the NEET-UG paper leak and has summoned NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi and other bureaucrats.
On May 21, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports will seek the views of top education ministry officials on the alleged paper leak and reforms in the NTA, which holds centralised admission tests to various undergraduate courses, according to a Rajya Sabha notice.
The panel, headed by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, has summoned Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, and NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), conducted on May 3, was cancelled after allegations of irregularities and paper leaks surfaced.
Nearly 23 lakh students had registered for the examination across the country.
During the May 15 press conference, Pradhan announced that the re-test would be held on June 21 and said the exam would shift to online mode from next year.
(With inputs from agencies)
