Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns as Union Education Minister Amid Nationwide Protests Over Exam Irregularities

New Delhi, July 2026 : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday resigned from the Union Cabinet amid mounting nationwide protests over alleged examination paper leaks and irregularities. His resignation comes after weeks of demonstrations by students and political parties demanding accountability over the handling of competitive examinations, particularly the NEET-UG controversy.

In his resignation letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan said his decision was guided by his commitment to safeguarding the interests of students and preserving the credibility of India’s examination system. He also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve in the government and reiterated his lifelong dedication to the education sector.

Reflecting on his public life, Pradhan said education and youth welfare had remained central to his work for more than four decades.

“For over forty years, I have dedicated myself to students, teachers and educational reforms. I have always believed that a strong, inclusive and forward-looking education system is the foundation of a strong nation,” he wrote.

He added that he deeply respected the aspirations of India’s youth and considered fulfilling their dreams a moral responsibility.

“I sincerely thank the Honourable Prime Minister for giving me the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership. Working for the aspirations of young Indians has always been a matter of commitment in my political and public life,” Pradhan stated.

The resignation follows intense public scrutiny after allegations of paper leaks and examination irregularities triggered widespread protests across the country. Student groups and opposition parties had repeatedly demanded the minister’s resignation, arguing that political accountability was essential to restore public confidence in the education system.

In his letter, Pradhan outlined the government’s response after irregularities in the NEET-UG examination came to light. He said the Centre acted swiftly by handing over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), cancelling the affected examination and announcing a fresh test. He also highlighted the government’s decision to shift the examination to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format from next year to improve transparency and security.

According to Pradhan, the government’s immediate priority was to ensure that the academic future of more than 20 lakh students was not adversely affected.

“Our foremost responsibility was to conduct the examination smoothly for over twenty lakh students. This was achieved through a whole-of-government approach, with active support from state governments, district administrations, students and parents. The examination was successfully completed on June 21, 2026,” he said.

The former minister maintained that he had accepted responsibility for the situation from the very beginning and remained committed to ensuring that deserving students did not suffer because of organised examination fraud.

“From the first day, I accepted responsibility and never distanced myself from the issue. My determination was to ensure that the ambitions of meritorious students were not destroyed by the exam mafia and that no deserving candidate faced injustice,” he wrote.

Pradhan also referred to developments following the re-examination, alleging that certain individuals occupying responsible positions attempted to create confusion among students and obstruct the process.

He said such actions caused him deep anguish, especially at a time when students required stability and reassurance.

“I have unwavering faith in India’s democratic values and immense respect for the hopes and dreams of our youth. They are not merely the future of this country; they are the architects of a developed India. The events of the past several days have caused me great pain. This has never been a matter of personal prestige,” he remarked.

Explaining the reasons behind his resignation, Pradhan said he wanted to prevent the ongoing situation from being exploited by forces seeking to create instability and to ensure that students could return their focus to education without prolonged uncertainty.

“Considering the prevailing situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country, and to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting the issue, preserve national unity, protect students from prolonged legal complications and enable them to concentrate on their education and careers, I have submitted my resignation to the Honourable Prime Minister,” he stated.

Pradhan concluded his letter by expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, his Cabinet colleagues and everyone who supported him during his tenure.

He affirmed that public service would remain the guiding principle of his life and pledged to continue working for the nation, the people of Odisha and the country’s youth in whatever capacity possible.

“With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I will continue dedicating myself to the service of Mother India, the people of Odisha and the youth of our nation. Service to the country will always remain the highest priority of my life,” he said.

Pradhan’s resignation marks a significant political development amid one of the country’s largest student-led movements in recent years. Attention now shifts to the Centre’s next steps in implementing examination reforms, restoring confidence in public recruitment and entrance examinations, and addressing the concerns raised by students across the country.