Rahul Gandhi has taken a sharp dig at the ongoing Maharashtra TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) paper leak controversy in a post on X, pointing out that the exam had to be cancelled after the paper leaked, leaving nearly 6 lakh candidates in limbo. Two weeks on, no new exam date has been announced.
What happened
The Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test was scheduled for 28 June, but the paper leaked just a day before the exam was due to be held. The state's education department cancelled the exam as soon as the leak came to light. The episode followed close on the heels of the NEET paper leak controversy, reviving questions about how secure India's exam systems really are. Even two weeks after the cancellation, the education department has not released a fresh date, leaving more than 6 lakh candidates waiting for the next update.
How the paper was leaked
According to reports, the TET question paper was smuggled out hidden inside a shoe. A man named Bijendra Gupta is said to be the mastermind behind the entire conspiracy. Employees at the printing press were allegedly persuaded to take part in the leak for as little as Rs 8,000 and a plot of land, even though the full deal is estimated to have been worth around Rs 80,000. Investigators say the trail also stretches to Bihar and Haryana, with allegations that the network moved crores of rupees. A sting operation reportedly captured Bijendra Gupta saying that even if he went to jail, he would get bail and the game would keep going.
Where the investigation stands
Given the scale of the case, a Special Investigation Team was set up to probe the leak. The SIT has so far arrested two people from Delhi and Haryana, and raids have been intensified in Bihar as well. Investigators are now trying to establish exactly how large the leak network is and who else may be involved.
What Rahul Gandhi said
In his post, Rahul Gandhi wrote that those responsible for leaking the paper are roaming free and the system remains untouched, while it is the honest, hardworking candidates who are paying the price. He said these are the people who are already working as teachers or hope to become teachers, and it is in their hands that India's future rests. The post reflects concern over accountability in the exam system and the uncertainty facing the candidates affected.
About Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India's western peninsular region and is counted among the country's richest and most prosperous states. Its name comes from the Sanskrit words maha and rashtra, meaning great nation, a name traditionally credited to the region's saints. Its capital, Mumbai, is not only India's largest city but is also known as the country's financial capital. The state's city of Pune is among India's major metropolitan centres and ranks as the country's sixth-largest city.
Public reaction
Rahul Gandhi's post drew a mixed response online. Several users expressed support, voicing concern over the future of the affected candidates, while others questioned the exam system and the government's handling of the matter. A few responses also dismissed the post as political point-scoring.
