Dharmendra Pradhan says student interests guided his decision to step down

New Delhi: Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned following 10 days of protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and more than six weeks of student demonstrations across the country over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.

In his one-and-a-half-page resignation letter, written in Hindi, Pradhan did not admit any wrongdoing or offer an apology.

According to the letter, he said he had dedicated the past four decades of his life to students, teachers and educational reforms.

“I have always respected the aspirations, emotions and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth. Fulfilling the dreams of India’s younger generation has been a moral commitment throughout my public life.”

Referring to the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination held on 3 May 2026, Pradhan said the government acted swiftly by ordering a federal investigation, cancelling the examination, arranging a fresh test, and deciding to conduct future exams through a computer-based testing system.

He said the government's foremost priority had been to ensure a transparent examination process for more than 2 million candidates, with support from state governments, district administrations, students and parents.

Pradhan wrote that he had accepted responsibility for the situation from the very beginning and remained committed to ensuring that no deserving student was deprived of a fair opportunity because of alleged examination fraud.

He added that the results announced on 16 July had been satisfactory and that many students from underprivileged backgrounds had succeeded despite the controversy.

However, he also claimed that some individuals in positions of responsibility had attempted to mislead students during the crisis, which he described as deeply disappointing.

Explaining his decision to resign, Pradhan said it was not a matter of personal prestige but of protecting the interests of students and preserving national unity.

“I do not want the country's youth to remain confused. I have submitted my resignation to the Prime Minister so that the current situation is not exploited by anti-national forces, national unity is preserved, students do not become entangled in legal complications, and they can focus on their education and future careers.”

He concluded by thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance, trust and continued support, as well as his cabinet colleagues, ministry officials and staff, reaffirming that serving the nation would remain his highest priority.

According to the report, following Pradhan's resignation, government representatives held talks with the protest group referred to as the "Cockroach Janata Party". The group later announced the suspension of the student protests after receiving assurances that their demands would be addressed.

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