As the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak continues to spark protests across the country, actress and former Miss World Manushi Chhillar has shared her own painful experience of facing a similar situation in 2015, who was a MBBS student herself. The actress revealed that she had to appear for the medical entrance examination twice after the paper leak that year, saying the experience went far beyond simply writing another exam.
Manushi Chhillar: “It’s About Reliving Months Of Anxiety”
Recalling the difficult period, speaking to HTCity Manushi said, “I remember the uncertainty more than anything else. You prepare for years believing that the exam day is the finish line, and then suddenly you’re told that it isn’t. It’s not just about writing another paper. It’s about reliving months of anxiety, postponing plans, and staying mentally prepared all over again.”
She also spoke about the sacrifices students and their families make while preparing for competitive exams. Sharing her own journey, she said, “I gave JEE mains in April after my boards, NEET which was then called AIPMT in May and decided not to appear in JEE Advanced because I was very clear I wanted to do medicine.”
“Another Attempt Comes With Emotional, Financial And Psychological Costs”
Manushi revealed that she appeared for the examination again 45 days later and secured a good score. However, she believes the emotional burden of retaking the exam is often overlooked.
She said, “But another attempt comes with emotional, financial, and psychological costs that deserve to be acknowledged. There is a need of reform and we have to go back to what education means to a society.”
Supporting students raising their voices today, Manushi added, “Every generation has a responsibility to ask for better systems than the ones they inherited. Speaking up for fairness is about protecting trust in institutions. I don’t think it’s productive to compare generations or ask whether it should have happened sooner. What’s important is that conversations are happening now.”
Paper Leaks Affect More Than Just One Exam
The actress stressed that a paper leak impacts much more than an examination day. According to her, years of preparation, financial sacrifices, and emotional investment are all affected.
She explained, “For many families, preparing for competitive exams involves significant financial sacrifices, years of disciplined study, and immense emotional investment. The real damage goes beyond one examination. It erodes trust. Students should walk into an exam hall believing that effort and merit alone will determine the outcome.”
As discussions around the NEET-UG controversy continue, Manushi’s personal experience has added another perspective to the larger conversation on fairness, education reforms, and the trust students place in the examination system.
source https://lehren.com/manushi-chhillar-recalls-painful-memory-of-writing-the-exam-twice-amid-neet-protest-row/
