Parliament Monsoon Session 2026 Day 4 Live Updates: Centre appeals to Oppn with ‘folded hands’ to discuss NEET paper leak without conditions
Both Houses of Parliament have failed to conduct any business during the first 3 days of the Monsoon session, which commenced on July 20 amid Opposition uproar.
· The Indian Express · JoinBoth Houses of the Parliament have been adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday following ruckus and protests as the Opposition parties sought discussion on NEET paper leak issue — only under the condition that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign from his post. This comes after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged the Opposition with “folded hands” to allow discussion on the NEET paper leak issue “without any conditions.” The Opposition parties also held a protest at the Parliament House Complex, asserting their demand for Pradhan’s resignation.
Earlier in the day, Congress MP Randeep Surjewala on Thursday submitted a notice for the suspension of all business in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the NEET paper leak, police action against protesting students and educational reforms, news agency PTI reported. While the government has assured that it is ready to discuss the NEET issue, the Congress party has expressed it wants it done under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha and Rule 56 in the Lok Sabha.
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Both Houses of Parliament have failed to conduct any business for the first 3 days of the Monsoon session, which commenced on July 20 amid Opposition uproar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Key Bills to be discussed today:
The Lok Sabha is set to take up the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, for consideration and passage today, with Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal scheduled to move the legislation. It will be accompanied by a statutory resolution moved by opposition members, seeking to express the House’s disapproval of the SC (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance shared by the President on May 16, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) members KC Venugopal and Dharmendra Yadav are also likely to present the 48th report concerning the delay in the production of the electronically upgraded 155mm/45 Calibre Gun System ‘DHANUSH’.
Deputy LoP Gaurav Gogoi is also likely to present the 17th Report of the Business Advisory Committee. The Standing Committee on Finance, led by Bhartruhari Mahtab and Jayanta Kumar Roy, will present its 36th report on the ‘Securities Markets Code, 2025’. Moreover, the Secretary-General will report a message from the Rajya Sabha regarding the Joint Committee on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Live Updates
Jul 23, 2026 12:19 PM IST
Centre appeals to Oppn with ‘folded hands’ to discuss NEET paper leak without conditions
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju Thursday reiterated that the government is ready for a discussion on the NEET issue as the Lok Sabha proceedings resumed at 12 pm.
“We appeal to the opposition with folded hands: do not mount additional conditions…let us discuss all instances of paper leaks…we should not do politics on this, we should collaborate to find a solution for the sake of the youth of this nation,” Rijiju asserted.
Jul 23, 2026 12:12 PM IST
'You not letting the House function is not right': BJP MP Dilip Saikia
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dilip Saikia appealed to the Opposition to let Lok Sabha function, before it was adjourned till 2 pm.
"The way you want a discussion, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister too has stated, the government is ready for it…you are still not letting the House function. This is not right," Saikia told the Opposition.
Jul 23, 2026 12:10 PM IST
Lok Sabha proceedings adjourned till 2 pm
The Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday following ruckus by the Opposition, who are firm on their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, before beginning discussions in the House.
Jul 23, 2026 12:09 PM IST
'Opposition conduct inside Parliament is irresponsible': JP Nadda
In a brief remark following Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge's intervention in the Rajya Sabha, BJP minister JP Nadda called Opposition's conduct in the Parliament "irresponsible."
"Opposition's conduct is irresponsible. They neither want discussion not want the House to function. First they said discuss paper leak. The government said we will discuss every issue. But today they are seeking resignation," Nadda said.
Jul 23, 2026 12:07 PM IST
Parliamentary Affairs Minister reiterates government's willingness to discuss NEET issue
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju Thursday reiterated that the government is ready for a discussion on the NEET issue as the Lok Sabha proceedings resumed at 12 pm.
He added that PM Modi himself has spoke on the issue -- of establishing fast track courts. “We appeal to the opposition with folded hands: do not mount additional conditions…let us discuss all instances of paper leaks…we should not do politics on this, we should collaborate to find a solution for the sake of the youth of this nation," Rijiju asserted.
Jul 23, 2026 12:05 PM IST
'No discussion until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns': Kharge in Rajya Sabha
As the Rajya Sabha resumed on Thursday, Congress president and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
"I want to request you today that government comes ahead and make a statement on the resignation of Education Minister we are demanding. Thousands faced baton charge, many are in hospital, their parents are worried. Istifa zaroor hona chahiye, jab tak istifa nahi, discussion nahi," Kharge said.
Jul 23, 2026 12:03 PM IST
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned once again till 2 pm.
Jul 23, 2026 12:02 PM IST
Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha proceedings resume
Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings resumed at 12 pm on Thursday.
The Houses were adjourned following ruckus and protests by the Opposition demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Jul 23, 2026 12:02 PM IST
Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha proceedings resume
Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings resumed at 12 pm on Thursday.
The Houses were adjourned following ruckus and protests by the Opposition demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Jul 23, 2026 12:01 PM IST
AAP, DMK stays away from demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation to discuss NEET issue
Barring the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the DMK, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said that the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Left parties, and the IUML parties took the decision to not discuss the NEET paper leak inside the Parliament without Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
“The mood inside Parliament should be the mood outside,” a leader said the Opposition meeting early Thursday.
Jul 23, 2026 11:57 AM IST
'No discussion without resignation': Opposition parties convey stance to Om Birla
The Opposition parties have decided to adopt the stance that they will not discuss the NEET paper leak issue in the Parliament without the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradham.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, speaking to The Indian Express, said, “We have conveyed it to Speaker Om Birla."
Jul 23, 2026 11:42 AM IST
'BJP completely rattled, resorting to bluff': Congress MP K C Venugopal
Congress general secretary and MP K C Venugopal on Thursday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party was "completely rattled" and was "resorting to bluff and bluster to salvage its image."
"Opposition MPs are unitedly fighting together, protesting for the youth of our country. The BJP is completely rattled and is resorting to bluff and bluster to salvage its image," Venugopal wrote over a post on X.
He reasserted the Oppsition's demands for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.
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Jul 23, 2026 11:36 AM IST
Opposition MPs hold protest at Parliament House Complex
Congress President and LoP Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, LoP in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi, AICC General Secretary and MPs KC Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi are holding a protest at the Parliament House complex on Thursday.
The Opposition parties are firm on their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue.
Watch:
https://indianexpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Video-2026-07-23-at-11.29.39-1.mp4
https://indianexpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Video-2026-07-23-at-11.29.39.mp4
Jul 23, 2026 11:32 AM IST
'When PM makes a commitment, he means he will complete it': BJP president Nitin Nabin
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Nabin, speaking to reporters on Thursday, assured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to the welfare and future of the youth, meant that he would fulfil his promise and the work would be done.
"The Prime Minister said earlier and has reiterated that we are ready for any investigation, that we will bring fast track courts so that action is taken against the accused and we will ensure that anyone involved is not spared. When Narendra Modi ji takes a sankalp (commitment), both the nation as well as the world know that it means taking this towards siddhi (completion/conclusion)," Nabin told The Indian Express.
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Jul 23, 2026 11:22 AM IST
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin with an obituary
Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha commenced on Thursday with a obituary reference to lives lost in natural calamities and extreme weather events such as floods, landslides, lightning strikes across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura, Keralam.
Jul 23, 2026 11:20 AM IST
Here's what happened as Rajya Sabha commenced today:
Before the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had requested the opposition benches to not make the NEET discussion incumbent on conditions.
Rijiju said that all parties have demanded discussion on NEET and today, even the NDA parties sought a discussion on this issue. "I thought that after a discussion with Kharge ji yesterday and other opposition leaders, we had hoped that may be a discussion today. But the Congress party has made it conditional."
"Please don't put conditions, your intentions are to stall discussions if you are putting conditions. We are requesting again that there should be no politicisation of the NEET issue and there should be a good discussion in both Houses," Rijiju urged.
"Today, the Prime Minister informed the country that strong steps have been taken and fast track courts have been set up so that nobody is spared of stringent punishment if a paper is leaked. My request again is that don't put conditions, and let us start the discussion soon," he added.
Jul 23, 2026 11:14 AM IST
'Not running away from discussion, demand Education Minister's resignation': Kharge
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Thursday, responding to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, said that the Opposition parties were not running away from discussions on the NEET paper leak issue.
"We are not running away from discussions. We demand Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. We won't go ahead with discussions until that happens," Kharge said.
His comments come after Rijiju alleged that the Opposition parties wanted to stop the discussion on the NEET paper leak issue by putting certain conditions.
Jul 23, 2026 11:09 AM IST
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm
The Rajya Sabha proceedings have been adjourned till 12 pm amid Opposition uproar.
Jul 23, 2026 11:08 AM IST
'You want to stop the discussion by putting conditions': Kiren Rijiju
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday alleged that the Opposition parties wanted to stop the discussion on the NEET paper leak issue by putting certain conditions.
"You want to stop the discussion by putting conditions... We are ready to discuss the NEET paper leak issue, without politicising the matter. The Prime Minister has also shared his opinions early today that judicial fast-track courts would be set up on the matter. I want you to not put those conditions," Rijiju said in the Rajya Sabha.
Jul 23, 2026 11:04 AM IST
Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 pm
The Lok Sabha proceedings have been adjourned till 12 pm amid Opposition uproar over discussion on NEET paper leak issue, police action against student protesters, and demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
While the government has assured that it is ready to discuss the NEET issue, the Congress party has expressed it wants it done, proposing the suspension of all businesses for the day.
Jul 23, 2026 11:01 AM IST
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin
The Rajya Sabha proceedings began at 11 am on Thursday amid Opposition uproar.
Jul 23, 2026 11:01 AM IST
Lok Sabha proceedings begin
The Lok Sabha proceedings began at 11 am on Thursday amid Opposition uproar.
Jul 23, 2026 10:54 AM IST
DMK MP submits Rule 267 notice in Rajya Sabha to discuss NEET paper leak issue, student protests
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Tiruchi Siva also submitted a notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha, seeking the suspension of the day’s proceedings to discuss the NEET paper leak controversy and ongoing nationwide student protests, according to news agency ANI.
"Under Rule 267 (Notice of Motion for Suspension of rules) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Council of States (Rajya Sabha), I hereby give notice of my intention to move the following motion: I seek your consent, under Rule 267 of the 'Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States' to suspend Rules 15, 23, and 51, and any other business listed under any other rule in the List of Business - Revised or otherwise - for 23rd July 2026, in lieu of the following issue of urgent importance: 'To discuss the ongoing student protests at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in NEET-UG examination, seeking transparency and accountability in the education system and Government's response to the said issue,'" the official notice read. (ANI)
Jul 23, 2026 10:52 AM IST
Opposition seeks urgent debate over NEET leak, police action on students
Congress MP Randeep Surjewala on Thursday submitted a notice for the suspension of all business in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the NEET paper leak, police action against protesting students and educational reforms, news agency PTI reported.
The notice comes amid demands raised by the Congress to hold a full-fledged discussion on the issue of students’ stir and police action against them.
While the government has assured that it is ready to discuss the NEET issue, the Congress party has expressed it wants it done under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha and Rule 56 in the Lok Sabha.
Jul 23, 2026 10:51 AM IST
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