22 lakh students take the NEET exam. From their families, Rs. 1.32 lakh crore is taken every year. The amount these 22 lakh people pay in one year for one exam equals the Government of India's entire education budget.
“22 lakh students take the NEET exam. From their families, Rs. 1.32 lakh crore is taken every year. The amount these 22 lakh people pay in one year for one exam equals the Government of India's entire education budget.”Rahul Gandhi, Chhatron Ki Goonj rally, Kota, 17 June 2026
Rated False
The facts
The Rs. 1.32 lakh crore figure is an estimated value of the Indian Coaching Industry expected by 2028, not a current value.16
Comparison is usually made only with the central Ministry of Education budget. However, total public spending on education (Centre + States) is several times higher.17
SWAYAM had developed over 4,400 unique courses by January 2026, with 1.72 crore unique learners, 5.80 crore cumulative enrolments and 52.88 lakh certifications.19
Keeping aspirants’ concerns in mind, PM Modi announced free nationwide online coaching for competitive exams on Independence Day 2026, offering relief to students and parents.20
Rahul talks as if medical opportunities are disappearing. The data show the opposite. Medical colleges: Up 118.6%, from 387 to 846. MBBS seats: Up 172.4%, from 51,348 to 1,39,864. PG medical seats: Up 176.9%, from 31,185 to 86,360.
Rahul sells scarcity while ignoring expansion. Medical colleges have more than doubled and MBBS seats have nearly tripled. The facts simply do not fit his narrative.