25 July,2026 03:04 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Pic/X
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday resigned from the Union Cabinet amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and demands for accountability in the country's competitive examination system.
Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the decision was aimed at protecting students' interests, preserving national unity and preventing the ongoing agitation from being exploited by anti-national forces.
The resignation comes after days of protests across the country, including demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where students and members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanded his resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
In his resignation letter, Pradhan said his four-decade-long public life had been dedicated to improving education and serving students.
"For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation."
"I deeply respect the aspirations, sentiments, and legitimate expectations of the country's youth. Realising the dreams of India's young generation has been a moral commitment in our political and social lives. I express my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership," he said.
Pradhan said the government acted immediately after alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination came to light.
According to him, the investigation was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the examination was cancelled, a fresh examination was announced and a decision was taken to conduct the exam in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year.
He said the Centre worked with state governments and district administrations to ensure that the re-examination for more than 20 lakh students was conducted successfully.
"Throughout this period, our primary priority was to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination for over 20 lakh students. We worked towards this using a 'whole-of-government' approach, in which state governments -- and particularly district administrations -- played a crucial role alongside the Government of India. With the cooperation of students and parents, the examination was successfully concluded on June 21, 2026," Pradhan said.
Pradhan said he had accepted responsibility from the beginning of the controversy and was committed to ensuring that deserving students did not suffer because of the alleged examination malpractice.
"From day one, I took responsibility for the situation and never turned away from it. I was determined not to let the potential of any meritorious student be ruined by the 'exam mafia' and to ensure that no student faced injustice," he said.
He also alleged that attempts had been made to mislead students during the re-examination process.
"I have always held unwavering faith in the strength of our democracy and deeply respected the aspirations, dreams, and expectations of the youth. They are not merely India's future; they are the torchbearers, builders, and architects of a new and developed India. I am pained by the events of the past ten days. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me," he added.
Explaining the reasons behind stepping down, Pradhan said: "Considering the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country -- to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting it, preserving national unity, ensuring that not a single Indian student's future gets entangled in legal complexities, and allowing our children to devote their time to studies and focus on building their careers -- I have submitted my resignation to the Honourable Prime Minister," he said.
Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Council of Ministers and everyone who supported him during his tenure.
"Service to the nation is the highest priority of my life; I shall remain forever dedicated to it. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I will continue to dedicate myself in every possible way to fulfilling the aspirations of Mother India, the people of Odisha, and the youth of the country in the future as well," he said.
