Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid mounting pressure over NEET row

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 countrys competitive examination systemPradhan 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 antinational forcespictwittercomVSArqS98OJmdash Dharmendra Pradhan dpradhanbjp July 25 2026The 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 examinationPradhan cites responsibility and students futureIn his resignation letter Pradhan said his fourdecadelong public life had been dedicated to improving education and serving studentsFor 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 nationI deeply respect the aspirations sentiments and legitimate expectations of the countrys youth Realising the dreams of Indias 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 saidHighlights governments response to NEET controversyPradhan said the government acted immediately after alleged irregularities in the NEETUG examination came to lightAccording 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 ComputerBased Test CBT mode from next yearHe said the Centre worked with state governments and district administrations to ensure that the reexamination for more than 20 lakh students was conducted successfullyThroughout 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 wholeofgovernment 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 saidSays resignation aimed at protecting studentsPradhan 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 malpracticeFrom 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 saidHe also alleged that attempts had been made to mislead students during the reexamination processI 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 Indias 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 addedExplaining the reasons behind stepping down Pradhan saidConsidering the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country to prevent antinational forces from exploiting it preserving national unity ensuring that not a single Indian students 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 saidThanks Prime Minister vows to continue public servicePradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Union Council of Ministers and everyone who supported him during his tenureService 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