Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, says decision aimed at preventing exam crisis from being exploited by 'Anti-National Forces'; Watch Video
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday announced his resignation, saying he had stepped down to ensure that the ongoing protests over examination irregularities were not exploited by “anti-national forces” and that the future of India’s students did not become entangled in prolonged legal disputes.
New Delhi, July 25, 2026: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday resigned from the Union Cabinet, saying his decision was guided by the need to safeguard national unity and protect students’ interests amid the controversy over examination irregularities.
In a resignation letter shared on social media platform X, Pradhan said the situation arising from protests at Jantar Mantar and other parts of the country should not be allowed to be exploited by “anti-national forces.”
“The situation that has emerged at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere in the country should not be exploited by anti-national forces. The unity of the country must remain intact. The future of every student in India should not get entangled in legal complications. Keeping these considerations in mind, I have sent my resignation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister,” he wrote.
Pradhan’s resignation comes amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and follows a 26-day hunger strike by activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar.
Expressing concern over recent developments, the minister said the issue was not about his personal reputation but about protecting the aspirations of India’s youth.
“The youth power of India is the real strength of this country. It is my resolve that we will not let the country’s youth power get trapped in a vicious cycle of confusion,” he said.
Defending the Centre’s handling of the NEET-UG controversy, Pradhan said the government acted promptly after irregularities surfaced in the May 3 examination by handing the probe to the CBI, cancelling the exam and conducting a fresh test.
He said the re-examination for more than two million candidates was successfully conducted on June 21 with the cooperation of state governments, district administrations, students, parents and guardians.
Pradhan also announced that the NEET-UG examination would be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year as part of reforms aimed at strengthening the examination system.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance and support, Pradhan said serving the nation had always remained his highest priority and reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of India’s youth.
Meanwhile, the Centre is preparing to introduce a stringent anti-paper leak law that proposes Special Fast-Track Courts and a Special Task Force (STF), among other measures, to curb examination paper leaks across the country. (ANI)