Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The decision comes weeks after protests by students in the national capital over irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
In a detailed two-page letter of more than 500 words, Pradhan outlined his reasons and reflected on his long association with the education sector. He noted that he had dedicated over four decades to serving students, teachers and the cause of educational reform. A strong, inclusive and forward-looking education system, he wrote, remains the foundation of a powerful nation. He expressed deep respect for the aspirations and expectations of India’s youth, describing the realisation of their dreams as a moral duty in public life. Pradhan also conveyed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve under his leadership.
Turning to the NEET-UG examination conducted on 3 May 2026, the minister acknowledged that irregularities had come to light. The government, he stated, responded promptly by entrusting the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation, cancelling the examination and announcing a fresh date for the re-test.
Pradhan emphasised that he had accepted full responsibility from the outset and remained committed to ensuring that no deserving student’s potential was undermined by what he termed the “exam mafia,” nor that any student suffered injustice.
Regarding the results declared on 16 July, he observed that they were satisfactory and that many meritorious candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds had succeeded. At the same time, he expressed distress over attempts by certain individuals in positions of responsibility to create confusion and mislead students during this period. The events of the preceding ten days, he said, caused him personal pain, though the matter went beyond individual prestige.
Explaining his decision to step down, Pradhan stated his determination to prevent the country’s youth from becoming entangled in uncertainty. Taking into account the situation at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere, he said the resignation aimed to stop anti-national elements from exploiting the circumstances, safeguard national unity, ensure that no student’s future became mired in legal complications, and allow young people to concentrate on their studies and careers.
The letter underscores Pradhan’s stated priority: protecting the interests of students and maintaining focus on educational progress.
