Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned after weeks of nationwide student protests over alleged exam paper leaks and demands for accountability.
New Delhi, July 25: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following weeks of nationwide protests over alleged examination paper leaks and irregularities in the country's examination system, marking a rare instance of sustained public pressure leading to the exit of a senior Union minister.
Pradhan announced his resignation through a statement posted on social media, saying he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in view of the prevailing situation and to prevent what he described as "anti-national forces" from exploiting the unrest. He also acknowledged the aspirations and concerns of the country's youth.
The resignation comes after a prolonged wave of demonstrations led by the youth-led "Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP), which organised sit-ins, marches and hunger strikes demanding accountability over alleged examination paper leaks, particularly those linked to national entrance examinations. Protesters had made Pradhan's resignation one of their principal demands.
The protests gathered momentum over the past several weeks as students, youth organisations and civil society groups expressed concerns over repeated examination irregularities and the impact on millions of aspirants. The demonstrations spread across several cities, with New Delhi emerging as the focal point of the movement. Reports of police action against protesters further intensified public attention and drew support from opposition parties.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 25, 2026
Following the announcement of Pradhan's resignation, the organisers declared that they were ending their agitation after stating that the government had accepted their key demands. Celebrations were reported at protest sites, where demonstrators described the development as a victory for student-led mobilisation.
According to reports, the Centre has also agreed to pursue further reforms in the examination system. The reported commitments include measures to strengthen examination integrity, compensation for families affected by exam-related student suicides, and assurances that no legal action would be taken against peaceful protesters involved in the movement.
The resignation is regarded as one of the most significant political concessions made by the Narendra Modi government in response to sustained public protests since the repeal of the three farm laws in 2021. It is also the first time during the BJP-led government's tenure that a senior Cabinet minister has stepped down under sustained public pressure.
Opposition parties welcomed the development, describing it as a step towards accountability and education reforms, while also calling for a broader review of the examination system and greater transparency in recruitment and entrance tests.
Pradhan, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Odisha, had served as Union Education Minister since 2021 after previously handling key portfolios including Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. His resignation now leaves the Ministry of Education awaiting a new political leadership as the government faces demands to restore confidence in India's examination and recruitment processes.
