The Cockroach Janta: India’s Youth Rebellion against Exam Scandals

For millions of young people, education is meant to be the pathway to opportunity. But what happens when the system itself is called into question? Across India, a new youth-led movement has emerged in response to allegations of exam paper leaks, mounting frustration over educational governance, and concerns about the future of an entire generation. In this episode, we explore the rise of the Cockroach Janta Party, tracing how student protests have evolved into a broader campaign for accountability, transparency, and reform. From the pressures of high-stakes examinations and graduate unemployment to debates over public investment and institutional trust, we examine why education has become one of the country's most contested public issues. The story reveals that the struggle is about far more than exams—it is about whether a nation's promise of opportunity can endure when confidence in the system that delivers it begins to erode.

https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/07/22/indias-gen-z-protesters-demand-a-proper-education