Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet on Saturday, July 25, 2026, amid weeks of nationwide protests over the NEET-UG 2026 controversy. Pradhan, who had been serving as the Union Education Minister since July 7, 2021, submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the interests of students and the nation must come before any individual position. His resignation followed sustained demonstrations by students, youth groups and activists demanding accountability over examination irregularities.
The controversy began after the NEET-UG examination held on May 3, 2026, when allegations of irregularities and a paper leak surfaced. The Centre subsequently handed the investigation to the CBI, cancelled the examination, and announced a fresh test. The re-examination was conducted on June 21, 2026, while the results were declared on July 16, 2026. However, protests continued across the country, with students demanding wider reforms in the examination system, action against the alleged exam mafia, and greater transparency within the National Testing Agency (NTA).
In his resignation letter addressed to the Prime Minister and shared publicly on July 25, Pradhan said he had “taken responsibility from day one” and never distanced himself from the crisis. He wrote that the government had acted immediately by ordering a CBI probe, cancelling the exam and introducing reforms, including conducting NEET in computer-based test (CBT) mode from next year. He added that his primary concern throughout the crisis had been to safeguard the future of more than 20 lakh students who appeared for the examination.
Pradhan further stated that the events of the past 10 days had deeply pained him and that the issue should never become one of personal prestige. In the letter, he said he was resigning to ensure that students “futures were not trapped in prolonged political or legal disputes and to prevent “anti-national forces” from exploiting the situation. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Council of Ministers, ministry officials and education stakeholders for their support during his tenure.
Following the announcement, celebrations broke out at several protest sites, including Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where demonstrators described the resignation as a victory for peaceful democratic protest. Student leaders, however, said the movement would continue until comprehensive examination reforms, stricter action against those involved in malpractice, institutional accountability, and stronger safeguards for aspirants are implemented.
Pradhan’s resignation marks the first major political fallout from the NEET-UG 2026 controversy and one of the biggest concessions by the Centre during the ongoing student movement. The government’s focus is now expected to shift towards appointing a new Union Education Minister, implementing promised examination reforms, strengthening the integrity of national entrance tests, and restoring confidence among millions of students preparing for competitive examinations.
