Thousands of Students March in Pune Over NEET Row, Demand Justice and Exam Reforms
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi, Priyanshu Banerjee and Radhika Sharma
Kasba Peth, 24th July 2026: Thousands of students took to the streets of Pune on Friday as a protest march demanding action over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and other competitive exams began from Lal Mahal. The rally is heading towards the Pune Collector’s Office, with organisers estimating the participation of around 3,000 to 4,000 students and supporters.
The nearly 5-km-long march began in the afternoon, with protesters carrying banners and placards while raising slogans demanding transparency, accountability and reforms in the examination system. Despite intermittent rain, students continued the march with enthusiasm and determination.
The procession is passing through Lal Mahal, Phadke Haud, Daruwala Bridge, Narpatgiri Chowk and Bolhai Mata Mandir Chowk before culminating at the Collector’s Office. Several student organisations and activists joined the demonstration in solidarity.
“Corruption in every department has become so normalised that honesty now seems surprising and unexpected,” said a volunteer participating in the protest.
Ahead of the march, the Pune Traffic Police issued a traffic advisory announcing temporary diversions from 3 pm until around 6–7 pm. Roads expected to be affected include Ganesh Road, Kelkar Road, Shivaji Road and Nehru Road. Motorists have been advised to use alternate routes, including Laxmi Road, Surya Hospital–15 August Chowk Road, ABC–Phutka Buruj Road, Jungli Maharaj Road, Nadipatra Road, Tilak Road and Banerjee Chowk–Nehru Memorial Road.
According to the organisers, the protest aims to press the government to ensure fair and transparent competitive examinations while addressing students’ concerns over the integrity of the examination process.
“Our demands include the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, but the movement is about much more than that now. We are seeking justice for all the students who were seriously injured during the protest in Delhi,” said Jitendra Kavire, one of the organisers of the CJP protest.
At the time of filing this report, the march was continuing towards the Collector’s Office. Police personnel have been deployed along the route to regulate traffic and maintain law and order.
Volunteers were seen distributing drinking water, food packets and first-aid supplies to participants. Ambulances, emergency response teams and officials from various government departments are also stationed along the route as a precautionary measure.
