NEET: How India’s exam paper leak ended young lives

In 2022, Pradeep moved to Sikar for coaching, sharing a rented room with his older sister, Babita Kumari who was preparing for police recruitment exams. Two NEET attempts steadily improved his rank, bringing a government medical college within reach.

Then came his third attempt in May this year. The paper was leaked, the examination was scrapped and a retest ordered – meaning Pradeep would have had to sit NEET for a fourth time.

By then, his life was a relentless 16-hour cycle: up at 4.30am, coaching, self-study until 9pm, sleep, and repeat. Everything else was stripped away.

Pradeep refused to own even a mobile phone.

“I’ll buy one after I’m selected,” he would tell his father. “Phones distract me.”

His only indulgence was a collection of about 10 inexpensive wristwatches, bought from roadside shops on trips between Sikar and home.

After sitting the exam on 3 May, he emerged smiling.

“This time my selection is guaranteed,” he told his father.

The family planned to leave Sikar, return to their village and celebrate. Instead, the paper leak surfaced.

“We’ll have to prepare again,” Pradeep told his father stoically.

On the morning of 15 May, Rajesh did what he had done almost every day for four years. He sent milk and homemade curd to Sikar on the morning bus.

Pradeep phoned to say it had arrived.