Dharmendra Pradhan Resignation: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET-UG paper leak and nationwide protests. In his resignation letter, Pradhan said his decision was aimed at protecting students’ interests and preventing the issue from being exploited for political or anti-national purposes.
Dharmendra Pradhan Steps Down Amid NEET Controversy
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has submitted his resignation following mounting protests linked to the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. In his letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan stated that his primary concern has always been safeguarding students’ futures and ensuring that the ongoing unrest does not derail their education.
He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for giving him the opportunity to serve the country and reiterated his long-standing commitment to education reforms, students, and teachers.
Government Acted Swiftly After NEET Irregularities
Pradhan highlighted that the Centre responded immediately after irregularities in the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3, 2026 came to light.
According to him, the government:
- Handed over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
- Cancelled the disputed examination.
- Announced a fresh examination date.
- Decided to shift NEET to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format from next year to improve transparency and security.
He said these measures reflected the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process.
Over 20 Lakh Students Successfully Appeared for Re-Exam
The former minister noted that conducting the re-examination smoothly for more than 20 lakh candidates remained the government’s highest priority.
He said the Centre adopted a whole-of-government approach, working closely with state governments and district administrations to ensure the examination was completed without disruption.
Pradhan also thanked students, parents, and families for their cooperation, adding that the re-examination concluded successfully on June 21, 2026.
“I Took Responsibility From Day One”
In his resignation letter, Pradhan said he never distanced himself from the controversy and accepted responsibility from the very beginning.
He emphasized that his objective was to ensure no deserving student suffered because of the actions of the so-called “exam mafia.”
According to him, protecting merit and ensuring fairness in competitive examinations remained his biggest priority throughout the crisis.
Concern Over Attempts to Mislead Students
Pradhan claimed that after the NEET re-examination results were declared on July 16, certain individuals holding responsible positions attempted to create confusion and mislead students.
He said these developments deeply saddened him and stressed that the issue was never about his personal reputation.
Instead, he described India’s youth as the country’s greatest strength and said their aspirations should never become victims of political or legal disputes.
Why Did Dharmendra Pradhan Resign?
Explaining his decision, Pradhan said the ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere in the country created a situation that could potentially be misused by anti-national forces.
He stated that his resignation was intended to:
- Protect national unity.
- Ensure students are not dragged into legal complications.
- Allow young people to focus on their education and careers without unnecessary distractions.
He reiterated that the nation’s interests and students’ futures must remain above all else.
Dharmendra Pradhan Thanks PM Modi and Ministry Officials
In the concluding part of his letter, Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance, trust, and continued support throughout his tenure.
He also expressed gratitude to fellow ministers, officials of the Ministry of Education, and everyone he worked with during his time in office.
Pradhan said serving the nation has always been his foremost priority and affirmed that he would continue contributing to India’s development and the aspirations of the country’s youth, with the blessings of Lord Jagannath.