Mass Protests Rattle Regime, Modi Finally Bows to Gen Z Demands

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally announced the formation of a task force to reform the national examination system after a wave of youth-led demonstrations shook the government in recent weeks. The decision follows public outrage over an exam paper leak that triggered a crisis of confidence in the education selection system. “Our examination system must be trustworthy, it must be transparent, and it must utilise technology to the fullest extent,” Modi said in a statement uploaded via Instagram. He also revealed that the government would introduce new legislation to parliament to tighten rules and impose harsher penalties on perpetrators of exam paper leaks. The reform panel will be chaired by technology entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani, a figure known as the architect of the Aadhaar digital identity system and a co-founder of software firm Infosys. The government hopes the use of technology can strengthen the integrity of exam administration in India. This announcement marks Modi’s first public statement since Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned the previous day. The resignation came after pressure from massive demonstrations held by young activists for weeks, demanding accountability for the exam paper leak that occurred last May. However, Modi did not mention Pradhan’s resignation in the roughly 30-second video delivered to the public. The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party movement finally halted its demonstrations on Saturday after the government met several of its key demands. In addition to forming the exam reform panel, the government also agreed to drop legal cases against the protesters. Authorities further committed to providing compensation to the families of students who died by suicide after the exam paper leak case came to light. The Indian government also confirmed that new regulations regarding exam paper leaks will begin to be discussed in parliament. The rules are designed to strengthen oversight while increasing the deterrent effect through heavier sanctions for parties involved in exam fraud.