Dharmendra Pradhan said the controversy was not a matter of personal prestige and that he stepped down to prevent students’ futures from becoming trapped in uncertainty and legal disputes.
Published: July 26, 2026 | Updated: July 26, 2026
- Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following sustained protests over alleged examination irregularities.
- He said he had accepted responsibility from the beginning and had not attempted to distance himself from the crisis.
- The President accepted his resignation with immediate effect on July 25.
- Pralhad Joshi was assigned additional charge of the Ministry of Education.
New Delhi: Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on Saturday amid sustained nationwide protests demanding political accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
Pradhan announced that he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the interests of students, their education and future careers had to take priority over his position in the government.
His resignation followed weeks of demonstrations led by students and young protesters, including a major gathering at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The protests intensified following allegations surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 examination and wider concerns about the integrity of India’s competitive examination system.
“This is not a matter of personal prestige for me. India’s youth power is the true strength of this nation.”
Resignation Accepted With Immediate Effect
Rashtrapati Bhavan confirmed that President Droupadi Murmu accepted Pradhan’s resignation from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect, following the advice of the Prime Minister.
The resignation was accepted under Article 75(2) of the Constitution of India.
The President also directed that Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi be assigned charge of the Ministry of Education in addition to his existing portfolio.
The President accepted Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation with immediate effect on July 25, 2026. Pralhad Joshi was given additional charge of the Ministry of Education.
What Dharmendra Pradhan Said
In a detailed public statement addressed to the country’s youth, Pradhan said he had spent more than four decades working for students, teachers and reforms in the education sector.
He described a strong, inclusive and forward-looking education system as the foundation of a strong country and said fulfilling the aspirations of young Indians had always been a moral commitment in his political and social life.
Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him the opportunity to serve in the Union government and expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s guidance, trust and support.
“From day one, I took full responsibility and never turned away from the situation.”
Pradhan Defends Government’s NEET-UG Response
Referring to the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3, 2026, Pradhan said irregularities had come to light and that the Union government responded by transferring the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
He said the examination was cancelled, a fresh examination date was announced and a decision was taken to conduct the test through Computer-Based Test mode from the following year.
According to Pradhan, the government’s immediate priority was to ensure that the re-examination for more than 20 lakh students was completed smoothly.
He credited coordination among the Union government, state governments and district administrations, along with cooperation from students and parents, for the completion of the examination on June 21.
Pradhan also said the NEET-UG results announced on July 16 produced satisfactory outcomes, including success for several meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds.
“I Took Full Responsibility”
Pradhan maintained that he had accepted responsibility from the beginning and had remained engaged with the issue throughout the crisis.
He said he was determined to prevent examination-related criminal networks from damaging the future of deserving candidates or causing injustice to any student.
However, he alleged that some people occupying responsible positions attempted to create obstacles and mislead students during the controversy. He said those developments caused him deep distress.
Why Dharmendra Pradhan Said He Stepped Down
Pradhan said he was deeply affected by the events of the preceding ten days and emphasised that the issue was not about protecting his personal reputation or ministerial position.
He described young people as the torchbearers, creators and architects of a developed India and said their futures should not be caught in prolonged confusion.
Referring to the protests at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere in the country, Pradhan said he wanted to prevent the unrest from being exploited, preserve national unity and ensure that students were not drawn into lengthy legal and political disputes.
He said students should be able to devote their time to education and building their careers, and that these considerations led him to submit his resignation to the Prime Minister.
Pradhan Thanks Prime Minister and Ministry Officials
In the concluding section of his statement, Pradhan thanked the Prime Minister, his colleagues in the Council of Ministers, Education Ministry officials and staff members, as well as those who worked with him during his tenure.
He said serving the country would remain the highest priority of his life and that he would continue working for the aspirations of India, the people of Odisha and the country’s youth.
Resignation Marks Major Political Development
Pradhan’s resignation was one of the principal demands raised by protesters during the agitation over alleged examination irregularities.
The decision represents a significant political development in the controversy, but wider questions surrounding examination security, institutional accountability and safeguards for students are expected to remain part of the national debate.
Pralhad Joshi now assumes responsibility for the Education Ministry at a sensitive time, with students and parents seeking stronger measures to protect the credibility of entrance and recruitment examinations.
