Both Houses of Parliament adjourned till 2 PM
New Delhi, Jul 22, 2026 : Both Houses of Parliament have been adjourned till 2 PM following opposition protest over various issues, including the NEET paper leak case.
When the Lok Sabha reassembled after the first adjournment at 12 noon, the Opposition was on their feet protesting on the paper leak issue. Speaker Om Birla urged the opposition to cooperate for smooth functioning of the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government is fully prepared for a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue. He stated that the government is ready for discussion since day one.
The Minister said that any discussion in the House must be conducted under established rules and requires proper arrangements. He requested floor leaders of all parties for the duration and the rule under which the discussion will be held. Mr Rijiju emphasised that the government wants a meaningful and constructive discussion involving all sides, keeping in mind the future of the youth of the country.
Earlier, when the Lok Sabha assembled for the day at 11:00 AM, Speaker Om Birla tried to take up the Question Hour, but the opposition members raised the issue of paper leak and student protest. Mr Birla urged the opposition to cooperate in running the House, but the opposition members continued with their protest, which led to adjournment of the Lok Sabha till 12 noon.
The same scene was also witnessed in the Rajya Sabha.
When the House re-joined after the first adjournment at 12 noon, the opposition again started sloganeering over the NEET issue. Deputy Chairman Harivansh tried to take up the Question Hour. He emphasised that Question Hour is an important part of parliamentary proceedings and belongs to the members.
The Deputy Chairman noted that after fifty years of Independence, a resolution was adopted in the House to ensure that Question Hour is conducted under all circumstances. He said, if the House fails to stand its own commitment, it will send a wrong message to the Public. Mr Harivansh highlighted that a great deal of effort and public money goes into preparing answers to the questions raised by members.
Despite his repeated appeal, the Opposition Members did not pay heed to the Deputy Chairman’s advice, which led to adjournment of the House till 2 PM.
Earlier, when the proceedings began at 11:00 AM, Chairman C P Radhakrishnan expressed grief over the loss of lives during a tragic accident at the under-construction tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim. He said the rescue operations are currently underway at the site. The House conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
The Rajya Sabha also observed silence as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the incident. Mr Radhakrishnan congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as well as scientists, engineers, and technicians for the launch of first hydrogen-powered train. He informed that India has achieved a significant milestone with the commencement of operations of the country’s first indigenously developed hydrogen-powered train.
The Rajya Sabha Chairman said the ten-coach train has begun operations on the Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana, marking a major step towards clean, sustainable, and technologically advanced rail transportation. Mr Radhakrishanan expressed confidence that this achievement will further strengthen India’s journey towards sustainable green mobility and the use of alternative green energy for the benefit of humanity.
After that the Chairman allowed the Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, to speak on the matter he wanted to raise. Mr Kharge raised the issue of student protests over the NEET issue. But, due to uproar by the opposition and Treasury benches, the Upper House was adjourned till 12 noon.