Ashutosh Ranka is a public policy professional, former management consultant and one of the official spokespersons of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the youth-led movement that organised nationwide protests over the 2026 NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
Alongside investigative journalist Saurav Das, Ranka became one of the movement's principal public representatives, participating in negotiations with Union ministers and addressing the media as the protests gathered momentum.
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From IIT Kanpur to the London School of Economics
Originally from Jaipur, Rajasthan, Ranka studied Materials Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur, where he also served as President of the Students' Gymkhana during the 2016–17 academic year.
He later completed a Master's in Public Administration at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), focusing on public policy and governance.
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Corporate career before public life
After graduating from IIT Kanpur, Ranka worked at McKinsey & Company as a management consultant. Following his studies at LSE, he continued working in consulting and public policy before becoming increasingly involved in civic and governance issues.
He has also written on governance, economics and public policy for publications including ThePrint and Newslaundry, and has remained active on social media, where he comments on education reform, governance and youth issues.
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Joining the Cockroach Janta Party
In June 2026, the Cockroach Janta Party announced Ranka as one of its official spokespersons, alongside Saurav Das and Vijeta Dahiya, ahead of its first major protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The appointments marked the movement's transition from an online campaign into a more organised public movement.
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Role during the NEET protest
As the protests intensified, Ranka became one of the movement's most recognisable faces.
Together with Saurav Das, he met Union ministers to present the protesters' demands, including accountability over the NEET paper leak, compensation for affected families and wider examination reforms. He also addressed supporters after the government announced it had accepted the CJP's key demands, including discussions on examination reforms.
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Why is Ashutosh Ranka in the news?
Ranka is in the spotlight following Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation after weeks of nationwide protests over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
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The negotiations between the government and CJP representatives placed Ranka, alongside Abhijeet Dipke and Saurav Das, among the movement's most visible public faces.
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