Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on 25 July 2026, bringing an end to weeks of nationwide protests over the NEET examination paper leak controversy. His resignation followed sustained demonstrations led by student groups and the youth-led “Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)” movement, which demanded accountability for alleged failures in the country’s examination system.
According to reports, Pradhan accepted moral responsibility for the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG examination, even as investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the paper leak continue. The issue triggered widespread public anger, with students and opposition parties alleging systemic lapses in the conduct of competitive examinations.
Following the announcement, celebrations broke out at protest sites across the country. Protest leaders described the resignation as an important step towards restoring accountability, while reiterating demands for comprehensive reforms in the examination system, compensation for affected families and stricter action against those responsible for the paper leak.
Soon after stepping down, Pradhan removed the designation “Union Minister” from his profile on X (formerly Twitter), signalling his departure from office. The resignation marks one of the most significant political outcomes of the NEET controversy and is expected to intensify the debate over examination reforms, transparency and governance in India’s education sector.