Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns After Youth-Led Protests

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25, 2026, following weeks of nationwide protests over the NEET-UG paper leak and systemic examination irregularities. The movement, spearheaded by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and supported by activist Sonam Wangchuk, who conducted a 26-day hunger strike, centered on a long-term sit-in at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Protesters demanded Pradhan's removal, compensation for families of students who died by suicide, and an overhaul of the National Testing Agency.

Tensions peaked during a July 20 march to Parliament, where security forces used tear gas, batons, and allegedly pellet guns to disperse crowds. The crackdown resulted in over 200 injuries among police and dozens of students. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the violence as a barbaric assault and demanded a formal apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

To resolve the crisis, the government accepted Pradhan's resignation and agreed to provide honorary compensation to victims' families and withdraw FIRs against peaceful protesters. In response, the CJP withdrew its agitation in good faith. The government also approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act to introduce stricter penalties, including 10-year prison terms and heavy fines. President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation, and Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi was assigned additional charge of the Ministry of Education.

Following his exit, Pradhan described himself as a street fighter and stated he stepped down to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting the unrest. While BJP leaders framed the resignation as an act of political accountability, opposition figures and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke characterized it as a victory for student power and direct democracy.