Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Education Minister amid CJP protests at Jantar Mantar.
NEW DELHI: In a significant political development, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
The move comes after weeks of intense protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar and widespread public outrage over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
In a detailed letter posted on social media and addressed to the country’s youth, Pradhan cited moral responsibility and the need to protect students’ futures.
He wrote that his decision was guided by the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country, “to ensure that anti-national forces do not take advantage of it, that the country’s unity remains intact, that not a single student’s future gets entangled in legal complications, and that our children devote their time to studies and building their careers.”
Pradhan defended the government’s handling of the crisis, noting that irregularities detected in the May 3 exam led to an immediate CBI probe, cancellation, and a successful re-examination on June 21.
He expressed anguish over attempts to “mislead students” and emphasized that the issue was “not a matter of personal prestige.” He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to national service.
This marks the first resignation under public pressure during the Modi government’s tenure.
News of the resignation triggered celebrations at Jantar Mantar. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced from the stage, “We have done it,” while the group posted “Long Live Student Power.”
The CJP had maintained that Pradhan’s resignation was non-negotiable, even as talks with the Centre progressed on other demands such as compensation for families of students who died by suicide and withdrawal of cases against protesters.
The resignation caps a month-long agitation sparked by allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in NEET-UG 2026.
The CJP-led movement gained momentum through sustained protests, high-visibility actions like Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike (which ended recently), and strong opposition support.
Clashes during a attempted march to Parliament further intensified scrutiny on the government.
Pradhan’s exit is widely seen as a major victory for student power and a testament to the effectiveness of sustained, youth-driven mobilization. It also puts the spotlight on the broader demand for systemic reforms in competitive examinations.
While Pradhan’s resignation addresses the central demand, the CJP and other stakeholders are expected to monitor implementation of other assurances, including compensation and legal protections for protesters.
The government will now need to appoint a new Education Minister and accelerate reforms such as fast-track courts for paper leaks and enhanced security for future examinations.
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