India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formally charged 13 individuals in connection with the leak of question papers for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a scandal that triggered nationwide youth protests and forced the resignation of the education minister. The charges, filed late Wednesday, mark a significant escalation in the government's response to a crisis that has shaken public confidence in the country's medical entrance system. Main Developments The CBI's charge sheet names 13 arrested accused, including three subject experts from the federal National Testing Agency (NTA), several middlemen who sourced and distributed the leaked questions, and two individuals associated with coaching institutes who obtained them. All 13 remain in custody and could not be reached for comment. The charges include criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, and destruction of evidence. Under a newly introduced bill to amend the law governing public examinations, those convicted could face prison terms of five to 10 years and fines of up to 50 million rupees ($522,000). Read also: Rupee Holds Steady Near 96 as RBI Intervenes Against Oil Volatility Background Approximately 2 million students took the NEET exam in May before it was cancelled due to allegations that question papers had been leaked. A re-test was held on June 21. Exam paper leaks are a recurring problem in India; the NEET questions themselves were similarly leaked in some parts of the country in 2024, though no re-test was ordered at that time. The scandal sparked weeks-long demonstrations, with thousands converging on the capital. Protests spread to other cities after a march on parliament was met with tear gas and baton charges. India's top court on Wednesday ordered that no coercive action be taken against protesters, directed the release of all under-18s arrested during the protests, and mandated that authorities preserve surveillance footage after petitioners alleged police brutality. Why It Matters The protests represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biggest political challenge in his third term, which began in 2024. The scandal has eroded trust in the NTA and the integrity of high-stakes national exams that determine access to medical education. The government's legislative response—proposing longer prison terms and heftier fines—signals an effort to deter future leaks, but the crisis has already exposed systemic vulnerabilities. What's Next The 13 accused will face trial under the existing legal framework, while the government's bill to amend the public examinations law is pending in parliament. The Supreme Court's order to preserve surveillance footage suggests further judicial scrutiny of police conduct during the protests. With the re-test completed, authorities must now work to restore confidence in the NEET process ahead of future exam cycles.