New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet on Saturday, saying that the interests of India’s youth and the integrity of the country’s education system must remain above political considerations. His resignation comes amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, particularly the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
In a detailed public statement shared on social media, Pradhan said his decision was guided by a sense of responsibility and a desire to prevent the ongoing controversy from affecting students’ academic future. He maintained that serving students and strengthening India’s education system had remained his life’s mission for more than four decades.
“I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation,” Pradhan said, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the Education Ministry.
The former minister highlighted the Centre’s response after alleged irregularities emerged in the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3, 2026. According to his statement, the Union government acted swiftly by transferring the investigation to the CBI, cancelling the examination, and announcing a fresh examination. He also noted that beginning next year, the NEET examination will be conducted entirely in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode to enhance transparency and minimise the possibility of malpractice.
Pradhan emphasised that despite the unprecedented challenges, the government prioritised the interests of more than 20 lakh students who were awaiting a fair examination process. He said the successful conduct of the re-examination on June 21 was made possible through a coordinated “whole-of-government” approach involving the Centre, state governments, district administrations, educational institutions, and examination authorities.
He further stated that from the very beginning of the controversy, he accepted full responsibility and remained committed to ensuring that deserving students did not suffer because of the activities of what he described as the “exam mafia.” According to him, the government remained focused on protecting merit and ensuring justice for every aspirant.
Referring to the declaration of the NEET-UG results on July 16, Pradhan said the outcome reflected the hard work of students across the country, including many candidates from economically weaker and underprivileged backgrounds. He asserted that the government’s priority had always been to safeguard the interests of honest students rather than allow vested interests to derail the examination process.
At the same time, Pradhan expressed disappointment over what he described as attempts by certain individuals in responsible positions to mislead students and create unnecessary confusion even after corrective measures had been implemented. He said these developments caused him considerable distress.
Explaining the reasons behind his resignation, Pradhan said the issue had reached a stage where continued political confrontation could distract students from their studies and future careers. He stated that his decision was intended to prevent anti-national elements from exploiting the prevailing situation, preserve national unity, and ensure that no student’s future became entangled in prolonged legal or political disputes.
“This is not a matter of personal prestige for me. India’s youth power is the true strength of this nation,” he said, adding that he did not want young people to become trapped in an atmosphere of uncertainty.
Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Modi for his continued guidance, trust and support throughout his tenure. He also expressed gratitude to his colleagues in the Union Council of Ministers, officials of the Education Ministry, and all those who had worked alongside him in implementing educational reforms.
Concluding his message, the former minister reaffirmed his commitment to public service. Invoking the blessings of Lord Jagannath, he pledged to continue working for the welfare of the nation, the people of Odisha, and India’s youth, stating that serving the country would remain the highest priority of his life.
