NEW DELHI: As protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak continue at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and other parts of the country, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has urged universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) to counsel students to stay focused on their studies and avoid participating in agitations, warning that prolonged protests come at a “considerable cost” to their academic progress and wellbeing.In a letter addressed to vice-chancellors and directors of member institutions, AIU president Vinay Kumar Pathak urged universities to engage with students “with empathy” while encouraging them to remain focused on their studies and not allow their energies to be diverted by calls for protests.The letter, titled “Appeal to encourage students to remain focused on their studies and to repose faith in the ongoing strengthening of the examination system”, was issued amid growing unrest over alleged irregularities in national-level examinations.The AIU acknowledged that students’ concerns are important and deserve to be heard with empathy and respect.However, it argued that prolonged agitations “exact their heaviest price from the students themselves”, leading to academic disruption, distracted preparation and avoidable stress.The association said universities should mentor and counsel students while ensuring that academic activities continue uninterrupted.The letter also urged the university community to support the government’s efforts to strengthen and reform the examination system.The advisory comes against the backdrop of students continuing their protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the alleged National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 paper leak.The protesters have been demanding reforms in the examination system, greater accountability in public examinations and the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.(With PTI inputs)
