Poll Shows Many Indians Unhappy With Modi Government’s Handling of Exam Scandals

NEW DELHI, Aug 3: A majority of Indians are dissatisfied with the way Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government handled recent exam scandals that triggered nationwide student protests, according to a nationwide survey by pollster CVoter.

The survey found that slightly more than half of respondents said they were “not happy” with the government’s response to allegations of exam leaks, including the controversy surrounding the country’s medical entrance examination, which led to the cancellation of tests affecting millions of students.

Even among supporters of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), around 40 percent expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the issue, while 44 percent said they believed the response was appropriate.

The controversy sparked widespread student protests, with demonstrators accusing authorities of failing to prevent examination irregularities and demanding accountability. Protesters also alleged excessive use of force by police during demonstrations.

According to the survey, 63 percent of respondents said allegations of police brutality during the protests should be properly investigated. Support for an inquiry was also high among NDA supporters, with 58 percent backing an investigation.

Despite the political impact of the protests, the survey found Prime Minister Modi remains the most popular leader among young Indians, with nearly 40 percent of respondents identifying him as the most popular youth leader. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was preferred by nearly 28 percent.

The CVoter survey was conducted by telephone among 1,349 Indians aged 18 and above.

The pollster said the exam leak controversy and student protests have caused political damage to the NDA government but warned that the deeper issue was growing frustration among young Indians over limited opportunities and rising expectations.

The survey also indicated potential support for future youth-led movements, with nearly half of respondents saying they would support the student movement on other issues, while fewer than 30 percent said they would not.