Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns : In a dramatic political turn, India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has stepped down following intense pressure from Gen-Z student movements and anti-paper leak protests at Jantar Mantar. Read his full statement, the government’s response, and key decisions on future NEET-UG exams.
In a historic fallout from the recent examination paper leak controversy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has officially tendered his resignation. The announcement comes on the heels of mounting nationwide protests led by student groups, including the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), whose agitation against system-wide exam irregularities forced the government to yield to the demands of India’s youth.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Pradhan shared his resignation note, stating that he stepped down to ensure national unity and prevent “anti-national forces” from taking political advantage of the sensitive situation unfolding across the country and at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
“For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to students, teachers, and educational reforms,” Pradhan wrote. “I have always believed that a strong, inclusive, and visionary education system is the bedrock of a strong nation. I deeply respect the aspirations, emotions, and legitimate expectations of India’s youth.”
NEET-UG Irregularities and the CBI Investigation
Addressing the root cause of the crisis, Pradhan referenced the NEET-UG examination held on May 3, 2026, where major irregularities were exposed.
To restore integrity to the process, the Government of India took immediate measures:
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Handed over the criminal investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
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Cancelled the compromised test and announced a re-examination.
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Re-conducted the exam successfully on June 21, 2026, serving over 20 lakh candidates through a “Whole of Government” approach involving state and district administrations.
Major Policy Shift: NEET-UG Moving to CBT Mode
In a landmark decision to prevent future security breaches and paper leaks, the Ministry of Education announced that starting next year, the NEET-UG exam will transition to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format.
Pradhan reiterated his commitment to safeguarding honest aspirants, stating:
“From day one, I took responsibility and never turned my back on the situation. My resolve was to ensure that no meritorious student’s future is destroyed by the exam mafia.”
“Not a Matter of Personal Prestige”
Reflecting on the exam results released on July 16, Pradhan noted that despite satisfactory outcomes that saw many deserving candidates from underprivileged backgrounds succeed, political maneuvering and misinformation continued to derail student trust.
“Looking at the events of the last 10 days, my heart is heavy. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me. India’s youth power is the true strength of this country. My resolve is to ensure that our young generation does not fall into the trap of confusion and misinformation,” he stated in his concluding remarks, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity to serve the nation.