Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a fresh bid to calm mounting anger over examination paper leaks in a rare video address as students prepared nationwide protests on Friday, with demands growing for the education minister to step down. The protests, spreading across multiple states, reflect deep frustration over repeated irregularities in competitive exams that determine access to government jobs and university admissions. Modi's intervention underscores the political sensitivity of the issue, with opposition parties accusing the government of systemic failure.

The education ministry has announced investigations and promised stricter safeguards, but protesters demand immediate accountability and the minister's resignation. The unrest highlights broader concerns about governance and transparency in India's high-stakes examination system.