New Delhi, July 25, 2026: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from the Union Cabinet following weeks of nationwide student protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and demands for accountability in the education system. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received his resignation after sustained public pressure and discussions within the government.
According to reports, the protests began after allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination and soon expanded into a broader movement demanding education reforms, transparent recruitment, and ministerial accountability. Demonstrations were held across several states, with Delhi’s Jantar Mantar emerging as the focal point of the agitation.
In his resignation message, Dharmendra Pradhan said he had dedicated more than four decades to students, teachers, and education reforms. He stated that his decision was taken in the interest of the nation’s youth and emphasized that the matter was “not one of personal prestige” but of respecting students’ aspirations and maintaining confidence in the education system.
Following the announcement, student groups and protest organizers welcomed the resignation, describing it as a significant victory for democratic protest. Several organizations, including leaders of the ongoing movement, announced that they would end or scale back demonstrations after the government accepted their primary demand, while continuing to seek broader reforms in examination and recruitment processes.
Political reactions poured in from across the spectrum. Opposition leaders termed the resignation an acknowledgment of the government’s failure to prevent examination irregularities, while leaders from the ruling alliance stated that the move reflected the government’s willingness to listen to students and act in the national interest.
Dharmendra Pradhan had served as Union Education Minister since 2021 and oversaw the implementation of several education initiatives, including the rollout of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. His resignation marks one of the most significant political developments in the education sector this year and is expected to lead to a Cabinet reshuffle in the coming days.
