Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday amid mounting pressure over the nationwide controversy surrounding alleged NEET-UG examination paper leaks and the government’s handling of the issue.
His resignation comes after weeks of protests by students and opposition political parties demanding accountability and reforms in the examination system.
The Odisha-born BJP leader announced his resignation in a post on X just as police fired tear gas to scatter protesters in Delhi, hours before their leaders were set to hold another round of talks with Union Ministers to push for the move.
In his social media post, the senior BJP leader said he has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move came shortly before the scheduled third round of talks between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
His resignation from the Union Cabinet was among the key demands of protesters who have been camping at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for over a month, seeking accountability and reforms in the examination system.
Dharmendra, who had come under flak over exam paper leaks, said the decision to quit was driven by the need to protect the future of students and prevent “anti-national forces” from exploiting the massive youth protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
In a lengthy social media post, Dharmendra made it clear at the outset that stepping down was “not a matter of personal prestige”.
“Keeping in mind that anti-national forces should not take advantage of the situation… that the unity of the nation must remain intact, that the future of even a single student should not get entangled in legal complications, and that our children should devote their time to studies and focus on building their careers, I have sent my resignation to the Prime Minister,” he said.
In his letter, he stressed that developments of the past 10 days had left him “deeply saddened”, referring to the massive July 20 violence during the students’ march to Parliament. Over 180 student protests and police personnel were injured in the violence.
“From the very first day, I took responsibility for the matter and never turned away from this situation. My resolve was that we would not allow the examination mafia to destroy the prospects of any meritorious student,” he said.
According to information, Dharmendra resigned taking moral responsibility on his own and was not removed, indicating that the government was keen on giving him a dignified exit.
Dharmendra first assumed office as Education Minister in 2021 and was re-appointed after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 25, 2026