Kejriwal Critiques Modi's Credentials Amid CUET Exam Issues

Arvind Kejriwal, chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has renewed his long-standing critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding his educational qualifications. This latest barb coincides with the disruption of the Common University Entrance Test-Undergraduate (CUET-UG) 2026, which has drawn attention to ongoing controversies surrounding examination management. The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for administering the CUET, reported that a technical issue associated with its technology partner, Tata Consultancy Services, caused significant delays. The morning session of the exam was postponed by as much as two hours across numerous centres in various states. The NTA adjusted the afternoon schedule accordingly, notifying students that the new reporting time was set for 2:30 PM, with the exam beginning at 4 PM. The agency expressed regret over the disruption, acknowledging the inconvenience caused to students and their families. This incident adds to a growing list of examination-related scandals that have drawn criticism towards the NTA, the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and the Modi administration. Previously, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG) held on May 3 was cancelled amid allegations of paper leaks, leading to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry and a re-examination for over 22 lakh candidates on June 21. Additionally, the Staff Selection Commission's GD Constable Exam 2026 faced issues such as server failures and the exposure of a cheating operation by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force in Greater Noida. Atishi, a fellow AAP member and key critic, added her voice to the outcry by linking the CUET disruption to a larger trend of mismanagement, stating, "First NEET, then CBSE, now CUET." This sentiment was echoed by Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who enumerated the troubled examinations and asserted that none had been conducted with integrity, placing the blame squarely on Modi for allegedly damaging the education system. In response to the controversies, Pradhan has acknowledged his responsibility regarding the CBSE issues, assuring stakeholders of a smooth NEET re-exam process. The government has emphasized that Prime Minister Modi is directly overseeing developments in the educational sector. The CUET, introduced in 2022 under the National Education Policy, serves as an entrance examination for undergraduate admissions at various central, state, and some private universities across India. This year's testing cycle runs from May 11 to 31, conducted in multiple shifts. Kejriwal's latest comments fit into his ongoing strategy of questioning Modi's academic credentials. He inquired rhetorically whether the leader of a significant nation such as India ought to be educated, referencing private sector hiring practices. Modi’s educational background includes a bachelor's degree from Delhi University and a master's degree from Gujarat University, as noted in his past election affidavits. However, Kejriwal has persistently sought disclosure of Modi's degrees through Right to Information requests. In 2016, BJP leaders, including then party president Amit Shah and minister Arun Jaitley, unveiled Modi’s degree certificates, confirming his academic claims. The documents indicate completion of a Bachelor of Arts via correspondence from Delhi University in 1978, and a Master's in Political Science from Gujarat University in 1983, with a score of 62.3%. While some progress has been made in the legal efforts to publicise academic records, a Delhi High Court ruling last year deemed such information as personal, limiting the advancement of Right to Information appeals. These ongoing proceedings reflect the complexities surrounding educational transparency and public accountability within Indian governance.