The recent protests over the NEET examination paper leak have become much more than a demand for accountability in one examination. They reflect the frustration of millions of young Indians who want a country where merit, honesty, and fairness are valued more than corruption, favoritism, and political influence. For decades, India has witnessed one corruption scandal after another. Governments have changed. Ministers have resigned. Political parties have blamed one another. Yet corruption continues to affect education, public procurement, taxation, land administration, banking, illegal financial transfers, and many other sectors.
This raises an important question: Are we fighting corruption, or are we only changing the people accused of corruption? Replacing one minister with another is an important democratic process when accountability is required, but it does not necessarily eliminate the conditions that enable corruption. If the underlying system remains unchanged, corruption can continue under different leadership.
Throughout India’s history, many anti-corruption movements have inspired citizens. They have demanded stronger institutions, greater transparency, and stricter enforcement. These efforts have contributed to important reforms. However, it is also worth asking whether the movement should now expand its focus to include structural reforms in the financial system. One idea that deserves public debate is the gradual reduction of dependence on paper currency.
Paper currency has many legitimate uses and remains essential for millions of people, particularly in areas with limited banking or internet access. At the same time, anonymous cash transactions can make it easier to conceal bribery, tax evasion, illegal financial transfers, money laundering, and certain forms of organized crime. Digital payments, while not a cure-all, create records that can improve transparency and make financial investigations more effective.
My campaign, Abolish One For All, proposes that India begin a serious national discussion on whether a phased transition toward a more transparent payment system could strengthen anti-corruption efforts. The proposal is not to eliminate cash overnight. Instead, it recommends a carefully planned transition. During the first month, every business would be encouraged or required to have access to approved digital payment systems such as POS terminals or QR-based payment platforms. The second month would focus on expanding digital adoption while gradually reducing reliance on large cash transactions. The third month would introduce additional legal and administrative measures to encourage transparent payment systems, while ensuring that citizens who genuinely need cash continue to have reasonable access during the transition.
Such reforms would require careful planning. Financial inclusion must remain a priority. Rural communities, senior citizens, small businesses, and people without smartphones or bank accounts should not be left behind. Privacy protections, cybersecurity, and reliable payment infrastructure would also need to be strengthened.
No single reform can eliminate corruption. Strong institutions, independent courts, effective policing, transparent procurement, education reform, electoral integrity, and ethical political leadership all remain essential. Financial reform should be viewed as one component of a broader anti-corruption strategy, not as a substitute for other reforms.
The NEET protests remind us that India’s youth are demanding more than punishment for individual wrongdoing. They are asking for a system in which corruption becomes increasingly difficult to commit. If India’s anti-corruption movement limits itself to demanding resignations after each scandal, the country may continue to witness the same problems under different governments. But if the movement also examines structural reforms—including improvements to financial transparency—it may contribute to building institutions that reduce opportunities for corruption in the first place.
Whether citizens ultimately support or reject the proposal to reduce reliance on paper currency, it deserves open, evidence-based discussion involving economists, technologists, civil society, businesses, policymakers, and the public.
India has always been capable of bold reforms. The next chapter in the fight against corruption should focus not only on who governs, but also on how the system itself can better prevent corruption.
The fight against corruption is not merely about replacing leaders. It is about creating institutions and systems that make honesty easier, corruption harder, and public trust stronger.
Aek Bahadur Kshatry
Founder, Abolish One For All
Advocating for financial transparency and structural reforms to strengthen accountability.
