Rahul Gandhi Slams India's Education System as 'Extortion Machine' in Kota

KOTA, Rajasthan – Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing critique of India's education system during a rally in Kota, a city renowned as a hub for competitive exam coaching. Gandhi unequivocally declared the system an 'extortion machine' and a 'rejection system,' arguing that it inflicts immense pressure and financial strain on students and their families. His remarks were delivered at the 'Chhatron ki Goonj' (Students' Echo) Maha Rally, marking the initiation of a nationwide student outreach campaign by the Congress party.

Addressing thousands of students and parents, Gandhi asserted that the current educational structure is 'extremely stressful and unfair.' He highlighted how the system funnels students primarily towards a handful of competitive examinations such as NEET, JEE, UPSC, SSC, and RRB, often at the expense of their diverse aspirations and mental well-being.

The 'Rejection System' and Student Stress

Gandhi elaborated on his characterization of the system as a 'rejection system,' rather than a selection system, emphasizing its brutal and exclusionary nature. He pointed out the stark reality where, for instance, out of approximately 22 lakh (2.2 million) students appearing for NEET, less than one lakh (100,000) secure admission. This creates an environment of intense competition and profound disappointment for the vast majority. Kota itself, with its massive coaching industry, has witnessed a concerning number of student suicides, with 27 reported in 2023, the highest on record, highlighting the severe mental health crisis exacerbated by this pressure-cooker environment.

Students in coaching hubs like Kota often face grueling schedules, studying for up to 18 hours a day, attending six hours of classes, and taking exams every two weeks. The pressure often originates not just from the institutions but also from families who hold high expectations for their children to pursue prestigious careers like doctors or engineers. Rahul Gandhi shared the emotional story of Akanksha Chaturvedi, a NEET aspirant who tragically took her own life after the NEET paper leak, underscoring the devastating impact of the system.

The 'Extortion Machine' and Financial Burden

Beyond the psychological toll, Gandhi criticized the financial exploitation embedded within the system. He claimed that students and their families collectively spend astronomical sums on competitive examinations, comparable to, or even exceeding, the central government's entire education budget. Specifically, he alleged that families spend nearly ₹3.5 lakh crore (approximately $42 billion USD) annually on just five major examinations: SSC, UPSC, RRB, JEE, and NEET. This expenditure covers high coaching fees, private education expenses, uniforms, and hostel facilities, with no guarantee of success.

The weakening of the public education system, according to Gandhi, has pushed more families towards expensive private coaching, further fueling this 'extortion machine.' He questioned whether the existing model genuinely creates opportunities or merely serves to extract money while limiting career choices to a select few paths.

Calls for Reform and Nationwide Campaign

The Congress party's 'Chhatron ki Goonj' campaign aims to amplify the voices of India's students and demand accountability. The initiative explicitly seeks to highlight issues such as rising coaching fees, repeated exam paper leaks, the privatization of education, and the alarming lack of employment opportunities for graduates. The campaign will travel across the country, led by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and the Indian Youth Congress, with Gandhi scheduled to address conventions in cities like Allahabad, Patna, and Delhi.

This student drive gains particular relevance in the wake of the 2026 NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which led to the cancellation of the examination and widespread protests. Authorities admitted a 'breach in the command chain' and investigations by the CBI are underway, revealing issues of leaked question papers and alleged organized rackets. Gandhi has previously demanded the decentralization of NEET, the abolition of examination fees, and strict legal action against those involved in paper leak rackets, alongside calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Through this campaign, Rahul Gandhi intends to shift the focus from political blame games to a constructive dialogue about building a better, more inclusive future for young Indians, where their dreams are nurtured, and education is not a privilege for a few, but a foundation of freedom for all.