'Since anti-national forces...': Read Dharmendra Pradhan's statement as he steps down after weeks of NEET protests

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday, weeks after massive student protests erupted in Delhi demanding his resignation over irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.

Announcing the decision on X, Pradhan said he was resigning keeping the future of the students in mind. “The future of even a single student in India is not entangled in legal complexities and that our children invest their time in their studies and focus on building their careers – in view of all this, I have sent my resignation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister,” he said.

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The resignation comes a day after representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) — the organization led by Abhijeet Dipek that spearheaded the protests — held talks with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. After this meeting, the CJP said the government was seeking a day to decide on Pradhan’s resignation.

Pradhan’s full letter (translated from Hindi)

Quick answers to key questions

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Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid ongoing student protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, which included demands for accountability and a call for his removal from office.

Pradhan expressed concern that continued protests could entangle students in legal complexities, affecting their focus on studies and career building, prompting his decision to resign.

The protests, led by the Cockroach Janata Party, intensified due to public outrage over the alleged paper leaks, leading to widespread unrest that eventually forced Pradhan to resign to defuse tensions.

In response to the irregularities, the government canceled the NEET-UG exam held on 3 May 2026 and announced a re-examination, thoroughly investigating the issue.

Yes, Dharmendra Pradhan warned against political misuse of student unrest and urged the youth to remain focused on their education and not get involved in political disputes.

In a letter addressed to “my young friends”, Pradhan said he has spent more than four decades associated with students, teachers and education reform, calling a strong, inclusive and visionary education system “the foundation of a strong nation”. He thanked the Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve under his leadership.

I have been dedicated to students, teachers and education reform for more than four decades. I have always firmly believed that the foundation of a strong nation is a strong, inclusive and visionary education system.

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I deeply respect the aspirations, emotions and legitimate expectations of the youth of this country. Fulfilling the dreams of the young generation of India is a moral obligation in our entire political and social life. I express my gratitude to the Honorable Prime Minister for giving me the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership.

However, irregularities were found in the NEET-UG examination held on May 3, 2026. The Government of India took immediate notice and handed over the investigation to the CBI, canceled the exam and announced a re-examination date. Along with this, it has been decided to conduct this exam in CBT (Computer-based-test) mode from next year.

During this period, our primary priority was to ensure that the examination for more than 20 thousand students went smoothly. To this end, the work was carried out under a “whole of government approach”. Along with the Government of India, the state governments and especially the district administrations played a vital role in this. Furthermore, with the cooperation of students, guardians and parents, this examination was completed on June 21, 2026.

I took responsibility for it from day one and never turned away from the situation. It was my resolution that we will not allow the future of any deserving student to be ruined by the exam mafia nor will we allow any injustice to be done to any student.

The NEET-UG results declared on July 16 were satisfactory in which many deserving students from underprivileged backgrounds also achieved success.

However, even during this time, people in positions of responsibility tried to create obstacles and mislead many students, which deeply disturbed me.

I have always been someone with an unwavering belief in the power of our democracy and have always deeply respected the aspirations, dreams and expectations of the youth. They are not only the future of India but also the bearers, builders and architects of a new and developed India.

Looking at the developments in the last 10 days, my heart is deeply saddened. This is not a question of personal prestige for me.

The youth power of India is the real strength of this country.

We will not allow the youth of the country to fall into the web of confusion – that is my decision.

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Since anti-national forces should not take advantage of the situation that has arisen in Jantar Mantar and across the country, that the unity of the nation remains intact, that the future of even a single student in India does not get entangled in legal complexities, and that our children invest their time in studies and focus on building their careers – in view of all this, I have submitted my resignation to the Honorable Prime Minister.

I express my sincere thanks to the Prime Minister for his leadership, trust and continued support. At the same time, I also express my gratitude to all my esteemed colleagues in the Council of Ministers, officials and employees of the Ministry and all individuals with whom I had the honor to work. Service to the nation is the highest priority in my life. I will always remain committed to it.

With the blessings of Lord Shree Jagannath Ji, I will continue in the future to fulfill the aspirations of Mother India, the people of Odisha and the youth of the country in every possible way.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigns