Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged the return of state-controlled medical entrance examinations after the NEET-UG 2026 was canceled due to a question paper leak. In a statement, he expressed that the centralized testing system has consistently disadvantaged rural and poor students, undermined the school education system, and stripped states of their authority in admissions. Over 2.2 million students across India, including more than 100,000 from Karnataka, were affected by the cancellation, causing significant distress and uncertainty among students and parents who had invested heavily in preparation. Siddaramaiah labeled the Union government's decision as a 'cruel betrayal' and demanded a thorough investigation into the leak, along with strict punishments for those responsible. He also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for his perceived inaction. Karnataka's Minister for School Education, Madhu Bangarappa, echoed these sentiments, criticizing the National Testing Agency (NTA) and suggesting its abolition due to repeated failures in managing national examinations.