Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday, July 25, submitted his resignation from the post, marking a major development amid ongoing protests and mounting pressure over the NEET-UG controversy.
NEW DELHI (India CSR): Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from his post, submitting his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid intense nationwide protests over irregularities in the NEET-UG examination and related controversies.
Pradhan, who had held the Education portfolio since July 7, 2021, announced the decision through a detailed statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). In the Hindi letter addressed to “mere yuva sathiyon” (my young companions), he stated that he was tendering his resignation after reflecting on the events of the past 10 days. He emphasized that the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country should not be exploited by anti-national forces, that national unity must be preserved, and that no student’s future should be entangled in legal complications. Students, he said, should focus on their studies and careers.
He wrote that he had dedicated more than four decades to students, teachers, and education reforms, and that a strong, inclusive, and far-sighted education system forms the foundation of a strong nation. Pradhan expressed deep respect for the aspirations of India’s youth and thanked the Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve under his leadership.
Referring to the NEET-UG exam held on May 3, 2026, he noted that irregularities were detected, the matter was immediately handed over to the CBI for investigation, the exam was cancelled, a re-examination date was announced, and a decision was taken to conduct the exam in computer-based test (CBT) mode from the following year. The priority, he said, was to conduct a smooth examination for more than 20 lakh students through a whole-of-government approach involving state governments and district administrations. The re-exam was successfully held on June 21, 2026, with cooperation from students and parents. Results announced on July 16 were “satisfactory,” with many meritorious students from poor backgrounds also succeeding.
Pradhan maintained that he had taken responsibility from day one and never turned away from the situation, resolving that no deserving student’s chances would be ruined by exam mafias and that no student would face injustice. He expressed sadness over attempts by some people in responsible positions to mislead students during this period. He reaffirmed his faith in democracy and respect for the aspirations of the youth, describing them as the real strength of the nation, the carriers and builders of a new and developed India.
The resignation comes after weeks of sustained protests led primarily by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Protesters had camped there since mid-June, demanding Pradhan’s resignation over paper leaks in NEET-UG (which had also faced issues in 2024), other exam irregularities, and alleged mismanagement. The agitation gained momentum amid reports of student suicides linked to the academic stress of the re-test and a heavy police response that included baton charges.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk had supported the cause with a hunger strike. Opposition parties, including Congress, had stalled Parliament proceedings, insisting on his resignation as a precondition for any discussion on education reforms. Talks between CJP representatives and Union ministers had been ongoing, with the group describing the resignation demand as “non-negotiable.”
Yesterday (Friday, July 24), after the second round of talks with Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh at the Constitution Club, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) stated that the Centre had sought time till Saturday afternoon to respond to its core demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The group made it clear that the demand remained non-negotiable and warned that the ongoing protests would continue and intensify — with indications of a much larger nationwide agitation — if the minister did not step down by the Saturday afternoon deadline.
Wikipedia and official records now list Pradhan’s tenure as Education Minister ending on July 25, 2026, leaving the post vacant. He continues as a Member of Parliament from Sambalpur, Odisha.
In his statement, Pradhan thanked the Prime Minister for guidance and support, expressed gratitude to cabinet colleagues, ministry officials, and all those he worked with, and reaffirmed that national service remains his highest priority. He concluded by seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath and pledging to continue dedicating himself to the aspirations of the people of Odisha, the youth of the country, and Mother India.
The development marks a significant moment, as it is being described by some observers as one of the rare ministerial resignations under sustained public pressure during the current government’s tenure. Attention now turns to the appointment of a successor and the government’s next steps on examination reforms and addressing the concerns raised by student protesters.
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