Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Education Minister after NEET paper leak protests

After Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, CJP’s founder Abhijeet Dipke (in white) exclaims, ‘We’ve bloody done it’. PIC/PTI

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday following Cockroach Janta Party-led student protests across the country demanding his ouster over the NEET paper leak issue. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been appointed as the new Education Minister following Pradhan's resignation.

Pradhan said it is not a matter of "individual prestige" for him. He said, "I took responsibility for the NEET paper leak from day one," adding that anti-national forces should not be allowed to take advantage of the situation at the Jantar Mantar and across the country. He expressed deep distress over individuals in "responsible positions misleading" students and creating obstacles for political gain. Reflecting on over four decades of service to educational reform, Pradhan reaffirmed his commitment to the youth and the nation's future.

Protestors were seen celebrating at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, after hearing of Pradhan's resignation. PIC/PTI

The CJP hailed it as the first victory of their 36-day agitation. The outfit withdrew its agitation after the government accepted all demands of the outfit, which included Pradhan's resignation, Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the NEET paper leak, and withdrawal of FIRs against protestors.

Addressing the protestors, Dipke said, "This is the proof that if you don't get scared, you can win. You should not be scared to speak in a democracy. Only if you raise your voice, they will stay in line because they are sitting in power because of us.

(From left) Union Ministers Jitendra Singh and JP Nadda and CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka hold a joint press conference calling off protests. PIC/PTI

"I thank CJI Surya Kant ji for calling us cockroaches. If you had not called us cockroaches, I would not have returned to India… The youth would not have been on the roads," he said.

Following the resignation, there were talks between CJP's delegation and Union Minister JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. Nadda said the government will give "honourable compensation" within rules to the families of the students who committed suicide after the NEET test cancellation and ensure withdrawal of all FIRs registered against the protestors.

"As the government accepted all our demands, we call off our protests with immediate effect. We appeal everyone to go back home peacefully," CJP's spokesperson Saurav Das said at a joint press conference with Nadda and Singh. The two sides will again meet after four weeks to work on broader reforms in the examination system, the CJP said.

Dharmendra Pradhan

The CJP has led a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding accountability over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and irregularities in the CBSE's on-screen marking process, besides seeking wider reforms in the conduct of public examinations.

The agitation has galvanised thousands of students in protests across the country and has been supported by major Opposition parties.

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