The Monsoon Session of the Parliament remained deadlocked for a fourth consecutive day on Thursday as repeated disruptions over the NEET paper leak controversy forcing both Houses to adjourn till Friday.
The Opposition, led by the Congress, continued to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan before any discussion on the issue, while the government maintained it was willing to hold an immediate debate without any preconditions.
In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla urged members to allow Question Hour to proceed and assured them that the government was ready to discuss every issue thereafter.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Opposition of imposing preconditions and said it could decide the date and duration of the debate, even if it extended to two days.
In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated that discussions would not begin until Pradhan resigned, while Leader of the House JP Nadda accused the Opposition of obstructing Parliament despite the government's willingness to debate the issue.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh repeatedly appealed to members to let the House function, but the impasse persisted, extending the legislative stalemate into a fourth straight day.
Parliament convened for another stormy day on Thursday as the Opposition continued to press for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a discussion on the NEET paper leak and the police crackdown on protesters during Monday's 'Sansad Chalo' march.
Both Houses witnessed repeated disruptions on Wednesday over the NEET paper leak and police action against protesters at Jantar Mantar and nearby areas, forcing multiple adjournments.
The Centre maintained that it was willing to hold a detailed discussion on the NEET issue, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju saying the government was ready for a debate and that the Speaker would decide the rule, timing and duration after consulting floor leaders.
With the Opposition expected to renew its protests and the government pushing ahead with key legislations, Thursday's proceedings are likely to see another confrontation in both Houses.
The Lok Sabha is set to witness a significant legislative debate today as the government moves the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, for consideration and passing.
The Bill, to be moved by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. It will be taken up along with a statutory resolution moved by Opposition MPs Sougata Ray, NK Premachandran and Adv. Dean Kuriakose disapproving the ordinance promulgated on May 16.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is also scheduled to present a series of critical reports today.
Committee members KC Venugopal and Dharmendra Yadav will present the 48th report concerning the delay in the production of the electronically upgraded 155mm/45 Calibre Gun System 'DHANUSH'.
Additional reports from the PAC will cover the management of defence offsets and a significant loss of over 62 crore rupees incurred due to the replacement of defective ammunition supplied to the Army by the Ordnance Factory in Badmal.
CPI MP Sandosh Kumar P and Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain submitted notices to the Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha, calling for an immediate discussion on alleged paper leaks and demanding accountability from the Union government.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh gave a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the NEET-UG question paper leak, the systemic failure of the public examination system, police action against peaceful protesters, and the deteriorating health of activist Sonam Wangchuk.
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva submitted a notice in the Rajya Sabha, seeking the suspension of the day's proceedings to discuss the NEET paper leak controversy and ongoing nationwide student protests.
Congress MP Hibi Eden moved an Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the breach of parliamentary rights and immunities of LoP Rahul Gandhi and women MPs from the Congress Party.
Several Opposition members staged a protest near the Makar Dwar on the Parliament premises on Thursday, ANI reported. The leaders reiterated their demand for the dismissal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid nationwide protests over exam paper leaks.
Meanwhile, parliamentarians from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) held a counter-protest against TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who was suspended from the House after making objectionable remarks against two women MPs.
The developments come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued his first response to the ongoing agitation, emphasising the importance of the youth's future and announcing that fast-track courts will be set up to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks.
#WATCH | Delhi: MPs from both, the NDA and INDIA bloc are protesting at Makar Dwar inside the Parliament premises. pic.twitter.com/P5IElPjlot
— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2026
Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House amid continuous uproar by the Opposition after urging members to allow proceedings to continue and discuss the issue within the rules of the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said there was consensus among the government and political parties on holding a discussion on the alleged NEET paper leak, but accused the Congress of "putting conditions" on the debate.
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said Dharmendra Pradhan has to resign first before any discussion on the issue can take place.
Chairperson Dileep Saikia appealed to members to maintain decorum and permit the discussion to proceed at an "appropriate time" without preconditions.
Chairman VP Radhakrishnan adjourned the Rajya Sabha till 2 pm as the Opposition continued to demand Pradhan's resignation before the discussion on NEET paper leak.
Chairperson Dileep Saikia adjourned the Lok Sabha proceedings till 2 pm amid vociferous Opposition protests over the NEET paper leak issue.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated the statements he made in Rajya Sabha earlier today on the government's willingness to take up the discussion on the issue.
He claimed that the Opposition was trying to run away from the debate by attaching pre-conditions and excuses to it.
He also said that the Opposition can decide on the date and duration of the discussion in both Houses.
The Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted for the fourth day on Thursday, with protests by the opposition on the NEET paper leak controversy and the demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan forcing multiple adjournments.
As the House met at 2 pm after two adjournments, opposition members started raising slogans.
With the protests continuing, the House was adjourned within 10 minutes after the laying of papers listed for the day.
The Rajya Sabha witnessed multiple adjournments on Thursday as Opposition parties continued to press for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET paper leak issue.
The House was first adjourned till 12 noon within minutes of meeting at 11 am, and again till 2 pm.
The impasse continued as the House met at 2 pm, when it was again adjourned till 3 pm.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday over students' protest, saying he takes credit for "going to Mars", so now it is time for him to take responsibility for his actions.
Speaking with reporters in Parliament House complex, she said the prime minister has posted on social media that he cares for children when just last night he got them "teargassed and beaten up".
"Have you ever seen in the history of our democracy that MPs from the ruling side are standing outside and protesting. Since how many sessions is this going on and they are not able to run this ( Parliament session). What is happening outside. He is weak and coward," she said, attacking the prime minister.
Asked about reports of internet being shut down in certain areas of central Delhi, Priyanka Gandhi said, "Are we living in a democracy? Think about it, children are protesting... they have cut the internet, what are they doing? Students are not terrorists. Their parents would be worried, their families would be worried, they cannot contact anyone. They are putting teargas on them, they are beating them. What kind of democracy is this."
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Thursday rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on fastrack court to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in NEET paper leaks, saying mere announcement will not solve systemic problems.
He demanded that the Centre identify gaps in the supply chain, and explain the corrective measures and fix the accountability.
"Merely announcing fast-track courts will not really solve the systemic problems. There are specific reasons why these leaks are happening regularly because of the commercial angle of the coaching centres. There's an incentive for them to show inflated results. So, they are willing to indulge in all kinds of unscrupulous practices by encouraging paper leaks and initiating paper leaks," Karti told PTI outside the Parliament.
Also, the fault lies with the system of NTA and agencies which run the exam, as the paper leaks are happening, he said.
"This fast-track court is only post fact. After an illegal act happens, they apprehend the perpetrators and take them to court. But this will not stop the league itself. They must say where is the chink in supply chain by which the leak is happening and how they are correcting it, those sponsible for it and who are they holding accountable," he said.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his fast-track courts announcement to ensure punishment for those involved in paper leaks, saying they should first set up such courts for those who were facing serious allegations before being inducted into the BJP.
Sibal, who is a senior advocate, said the ruling party's countdown has begun and the public mood has turned against them.
Speaking with reporters in Parliament House complex, the Independent Rajya Sabha MP said they should first set up fast-track courts for those within their own party.
Several people whom they inducted into the party were facing serious corruption allegations and the BJP had accused these individuals of being involved in massive scams in their speeches, yet they later welcomed them into the party, Sibal said.
"Why are fast-track proceedings not being initiated against them? Why is the CBI not investigating them? And why were the investigations that were already underway stopped? They should answer these questions first," the Rajya Sabha MP said.
"The student protests began on June 28, and it has now been 25 days but during this entire period, the government did not engage with the students. Did it make any statement or address their concerns? When the students were on a hunger strike, the government remained silent. Now, they have suddenly woken up because they realise the situation has slipped out of their hands. Their countdown has begun, so they are now talking," Sibal said.
"They know the public mood has turned against them. There is widespread anger among the people of India, especially the youth," he added.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla against the backdrop of continuous opposition protests in Parliament over the NEET paper leak.
The government has accused the opposition of attaching the pre-condition of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation before agreeing to a debate.
Sources said Shah met Birla after the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day amid continuous ruckus.
Earlier, top opposition leaders including the Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav met Birla. TMC leaders Saugata Roy and Mahua Moitra were also present in the meeting.
During the Question Hour, Birla had asked opposition leaders to meet him to decide on the duration and date of the discussion on the NEET paper leak issue.
The Monsoon session, which began on Monday, has so far been a washout due to opposition protests over paper leak and alleged theft of Ram temple donations.
Police crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests here has also figured in opposition protests.
