Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Education Minister amid NEET row

On July 25, 2026, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ending a monthslong standoff following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy.

Core Reasons for His Exit

The NEET-UG Controversy: Irregularities surfaced regarding the May 3, 2026 NEET-UG medical entrance examination, which affected over 2.2 million candidates. The test was subsequently cancelled and re-conducted under a CBI probe, causing widespread distress among students and parents.

Mass Youth Movement: His exit followed relentless protests led by a youth-led collective called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar and across major cities like Mumbai and Kolkata. A 26-day hunger strike by activist Sonam Wangchuk further amplified national media attention.

Demands for Accountability: Pradhan's resignation was the central, non-negotiable demand of the student movement, which gained significant momentum following widespread outrage over heavy-handed police responses to peaceful gatherings.

Key Statements & Aftermath

Official Stance: In an open letter to students, Pradhan stated he was stepping down in the "larger interest of students" to ensure "anti-national forces do not take advantage" of the situation and to prevent youth from getting caught in a "web of confusion."

Interim Charge: Following his resignation, Pralhad Joshi was assigned charge of the Ministry of Education.

Policy Shifts: To prevent future disruptions, the government announced that competitive exams will transition to Computer-Based Test (CBT) modes from 2027 and introduced measures for a complete overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA).