Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from his post, submitting his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. This decision comes amid mounting pressure due to nationwide protests by the CJP and opposition parties. In his resignation letter, Pradhan expressed his deep respect for the aspirations and emotions of the nation’s youth, stating that fulfilling their dreams has been the moral resolve of his political and social life.
He also thanked the Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve the nation under his leadership. Pradhan’s resignation is linked to the recent NEET-UG examination controversy, where irregularities were discovered during the exam held on May 3, 2026, leading to the cancellation of the exam and the announcement of a new date. He took immediate responsibility for the situation, ensuring a smooth re-examination process for over 20 lakh students, which was completed on June 21, 2026.
However, despite the satisfactory results of the re-examination announced on July 16, Pradhan was deeply distressed by the attempts of individuals holding responsible positions to create obstacles and mislead students. He emphasized his unwavering faith in the strength of India’s democracy and the aspirations of the youth. Citing the need to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting the situation and to maintain national unity, Pradhan decided to resign.
He expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister and his colleagues, stating that serving the nation remains his highest priority. The CJP, which had been protesting at Jantar Mantar, called off its protests after the government accepted its demands, including the withdrawal of criminal cases against protesters. According to government sources, the primary reason behind Pradhan’s resignation was not security concerns but the erosion of the ruling party’s political capital caused by the burgeoning crowds at Jantar Mantar.
The CJP delegation submitted a written proposal covering cases related to the agitation along with its five-point charter. The government assured the team that no action will be taken against the organisers and protesters, and no new cases will be registered in connection with the agitation. Union Health Minister J.P.
Nadda said that discussions will continue with the delegation, and the government expressed condolences to the families of the students who lost their lives and assured them of the highest possible compensation as per the rules.
