New Delhi, July 26: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned following the sustained nationwide student protests over NEET paper leaks and irregularities. President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi taking additional charge of the Ministry of Education.
The resignation comes after weeks of protests and demonstrations led by students and youth groups demanding accountability over alleged lapses in the conduct of major national examinations over the past decade. Protestors argued that repeated paper leak controversies had undermined confidence of students in India’s examination system.
In his resignation letter, Pradhan said his decision was guided by the interests of students and the nation. He stated that the issue was “not a matter of personal prestige” and reiterated his commitment to ensuring that young people are not caught in prolonged uncertainty. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ministry officials, and colleagues for their support during his tenure.
Following the announcement, celebrations were reported at protest sites as specifically at Jantar Mantar, protest organisers also announced the withdrawal of their agitation after government’s decisions.
The resignation marks one of the most significant political developments in the education sector in recent years. Attention is now expected towards reforms aimed at strengthening examination security, restoring public trust, and preventing future irregularities. The government is likely to face continued scrutiny over the implementation of measures designed to ensure transparency and fairness in the country’s competitive examination system.
