Dharmendra Pradhan's 'Chunav' Slip During Call With Injured NEET Aspirant's Parents Sparks Reactions, Watch

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan spoke with the parents of a NEET-UG aspirant from West Bengal who was seriously injured in a road accident days before the examination and assured them of all possible support to help their daughter appear for the re-test.

The conversation, which was later shared online, has drawn attention not only for the minister's intervention but also for a brief verbal slip during the call. While asking about the timing of the accident, Pradhan mistakenly referred to "chunav" (election) before quickly correcting himself and saying "pariksha" (examination).

Minister Reaches Out to Family

The student, Shrishti Dubey, suffered severe injuries in a road accident on June 14, just a week before the NEET-UG re-examination. According to her family, the accident left her with nine fractured ribs and serious lung injuries. She underwent major vascular surgery and was placed on artificial ventilation.

Despite her condition, Shrishti remained determined to appear for the country's biggest medical entrance examination.

Her parents contacted the Education Minister, requesting assistance so that she could take the exam safely at her allotted centre, Binodini Girls High School in Dhakuria, West Bengal.

'Pichle Chunav Se Pehle...' Remark Goes Viral

During a phone conversation with Shrishti's parents, Pradhan was heard asking when the accident had occurred.

In the video, the minister initially says, "Kab hua... pichle chunav se pehle..." before immediately correcting himself and saying, "Pichle pariksha se pehle?"

The brief slip-up quickly caught the attention of social media users. However, the focus of the conversation remained on the student's health and the arrangements needed to ensure she could appear for the examination.

VIDEO | Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) speaks with the parents of NEET aspirant Shrishti Dubey, who was critically injured in a road accident days before the exam, and assures support to help her appear for the NEET UG re-examination.

Shrishti,… pic.twitter.com/ejrIGuyZtk

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 21, 2026

Social Media Users React to Minister's Remark

The video of Dharmendra Pradhan's conversation with Shrishti Dubey's parents quickly gained attention on social media, with several users focusing on the minister's brief "chunav" slip during the call.

While many appreciated the support extended to the injured NEET aspirant, others used the moment to criticise the government over broader issues related to the NEET examination controversy.

One X user wrote, "17 kids committed suicide. Any calls there?"

Another user commented, "Pichle chunaw ke baad... kya yaar, in logon ke khwab mein bhi chunaw hi aata hai."

A third user posted in Hindi, "17 NEET aspirants, jo ab nahi rahe, unke parents se bhi baat kar lo Dharmendra Pradhan," referring to reports of student deaths and urging the minister to reach out to their families as well.

Special Arrangements Made for the Candidate

In their message to the minister, Shrishti's parents explained that their daughter had undergone major surgery and required special assistance.

They requested that she be allowed to write the examination from the ground floor, wear hospital clothing, and carry essential medical attachments, including a chest drain. The family also informed authorities that the treating hospital was prepared to provide doctors, paramedics, and other medical support if required.

Following the request, special arrangements were made at the examination centre.
A separate room was allotted to Shrishti, medical assistance was made available, and an ambulance was kept on standby throughout the examination. These measures ensured that she could take the test while continuing her recovery.

Parents Express Gratitude

After the arrangements were finalised, Shrishti's parents thanked the Education Minister for his intervention and support.

The assistance enabled the student to appear for the NEET-UG re-examination despite her fragile medical condition, preventing the accident from disrupting a crucial step in her academic journey.

Determination in the Face of Adversity

While the minister's accidental reference to "chunav" briefly became a talking point online, the larger story remained one of determination and resilience.

Despite suffering serious injuries and undergoing major surgery just days before the examination, Shrishti did not give up on her dream of becoming a doctor. With support from her family, medical team, and authorities, she was able to sit for the examination and continue pursuing her goal.