New Delhi: Amid growing outrage among students and parents over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, the Central Government has taken a significant step to ease tensions. According to top government sources, the Centre is inclined not to initiate any legal or punitive action against students who staged peaceful protests at Jantar Mantar or participated in the march towards Parliament on July 20.

Sources said the government’s conciliatory stance reflects its recognition of the genuine concerns raised by students regarding shortcomings in the examination system. Instead of pursuing a confrontational approach, the Centre is focusing on dialogue and comprehensive reforms to restore confidence in the country’s examination process. The government has already assured that the issue of the paper leak and broader reforms in the examination system will be discussed extensively in Parliament.

Government sources further indicated that the Centre is also positively considering a proposal to provide financial compensation to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy. While no official announcement has been made, the proposal is reportedly under active consideration as part of the government’s broader humanitarian response to the crisis.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a late-night video address, assured millions of students across the country that their future would not be compromised. He said the government is treating the paper leak issue with the utmost seriousness and is working on a dedicated law to prevent such incidents permanently.

The Prime Minister announced that the draft of the proposed anti-paper leak legislation would be placed before the Union Cabinet on Friday. Following Cabinet approval, the government plans to introduce the Bill in Parliament next week and seek its passage at the earliest.

According to sources, the proposed legislation is expected to include stringent provisions to curb organised examination fraud, impose tougher penalties on those involved, strengthen the accountability of examination agencies, and establish a robust legal framework to prevent future paper leaks.