Poor students in Prayagraj forced to sell blood for coaching fees, Congress tells NHRC

A Congress delegation led by Rajendra Pal Gautam, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking intervention into the alleged sale of blood by economically disadvantaged students in Prayagraj and other cities of the State to meet the costs of coaching and hostels facilities.Mr. Gautam, who also heads the party’s Schedule Castes (SCs) department, told reporters that the NHRC Chairperson had assured him the matter would be probed by the rights’ body. In a memorandum, Mr. Gautam cited an investigative report published by a leading Hindi daily between October 25 and 27. According to the complaint, a large number of NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and SSC (Staff Selection Commission) aspirants, mostly from rural, low-income farming families, were selling blood to pay coaching fees ranging from ₹1.20 lakh to ₹1.80 lakh per year, often demanded as lump sum, besides hostel and mess charges of ₹3,500 to ₹5,000 per month.The news report found that agents and brokers operating near blood banks approached students. While a patient’s relatives were required to pay about ₹8,000 for blood, the student received only ₹3,500 to ₹4,000, after paying about ₹1,500 as processing charges. “Some students admitted to donating blood two to four times a month, posing serious health risks, including anaemia and weakness,” the Congress leader said. “The BJP government has brought the country to such a state that poor students are selling blood to meet their education expenses,” Mr. Gautam added.Blood banks were not directly involved in commercial dealings, he said, but were aware of the practice outside their premises, and that the commercial sale of blood is illegal in India, where only voluntary unpaid donation is permitted.“The situation amounted to a violation of the right to life, health, and education under Article 21, and reflected systemic failures in the availability of scholarships and affordable hostel facilities,” Mr. Gautam said. Published - November 03, 2026 09:35 pm IST