Dharmendra Pradhan resigns following youth protests over NEET paper leak

World coverage is dominated by a major political shift in New Delhi as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, July 25, 2026. According to reporting from Yahoo News UK and The Times of India, Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid mounting pressure from a massive youth-led protest movement. The demonstrations erupted following widespread irregularities and a paper leak during the NEET-UG medical entrance examinations, which had galvanized medical aspirants and students across the country.

The agitation traces its roots back to a controversial courtroom remark by Chief Justice Surya Kant, who was widely perceived to have likened protesting youth to cockroaches, according to Livemint. Students and activists reappropriated the term, turning an online satirical campaign into the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) under the leadership of communication graduate Abhijeet Dipke. What began as an outcry over the May 3 examination leak quickly broadened into a nationwide expression of public frustration regarding job scarcity, government accountability, and systemic education flaws.

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The protests intensified significantly when environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk launched an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk's health deteriorated during his fast, leading to his controversial removal by Delhi Police in the early morning hours and subsequent hospitalization, an action sharply criticized by CJP leaders who alleged the move aimed to weaken the demonstrations. Tensions peaked further during the Chalo Sansad march toward Parliament, where clashes with security forces deployed under strict BNSS restrictions led to injuries among both protesters and police personnel.

Following days of unrest, internet restrictions, and the temporary closure of metro station gates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released back-to-back late-night social media videos outlining anti-paper leak laws and fast-track courts. However, protesters dismissed the videos for failing to address their primary, non-negotiable demand. Facing relentless public pressure, Pradhan announced his departure on X, stating that he was stepping down in the larger interest of students and to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting the situation.

"Considering the situation that has arisen at Jantar Mantar and across the country, so that anti-national forces do not take advantage of this situation... I have sent my resignation letter to the prime minister. I deeply respect the aspirations, feelings, and legitimate expectations of the country's youth."

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Education Minister, via Yahoo News UK

News of the resignation triggered jubilant celebrations at Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators cheered and declared a historic victory for youth-led democracy. According to Mashable India, President Droupadi Murmu formally accepted the resignation and assigned Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi the additional charge of the Ministry of Education. Joshi inherits an immense reform agenda, including the restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA)—which recently terminated the services of dozens of officials—and the ongoing implementation of the National Education Policy 2020.

Timeline of the Youth-Led Movement

• May 3, 2026: NEET-UG examination held, followed by alleged paper leaks and irregularities that spark nationwide outrage.
• May 13, 2026: Class 12 results declared, with students flagging technical glitches and discrepancies in the On-Screen Marking system.
• June 28, 2026: Sonam Wangchuk begins an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, expanding the movement's national reach.
• July 18, 2026: Wangchuk is removed by police amid health concerns and shifted to hospital, drawing sharp condemnation from CJP leaders.
• July 20, 2026: Clashes break out near Parliament during the CJP's march, resulting in numerous injuries among protesters and police.
• July 23–24, 2026: Prime Minister Modi releases late-night video addresses on examination reforms; the NTA terminates 47 officials.
• July 25, 2026: Dharmendra Pradhan resigns; Pralhad Joshi is appointed as the new Education Minister; the CJP calls off its 37-day agitation.

With Pradhan's exit and government assurances secured during discussions at the Constitution Club of India, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke confirmed the formal withdrawal of the 37-day agitation in good faith. Yet, as Livemint reports, organizers maintain that vigilance is required to ensure complete fulfillment of remaining demands, including compensation for families of students affected by suicides and accountability regarding the police crackdown.