Dharmendra Pradhan resigns
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Union Education Minister on Saturday, weeks into protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) controversy. In a letter addressed to the country’s youth and posted on X, Pradhan said the decision was meant to stop the row “from harming students’ futures” and to ensure that “anti-national forces do not exploit the situation.”
What Pradhan said about the NEET-UG row
Pradhan wrote that once irregularities surfaced in the NEET-UG exam held on May 3, 2026, the government moved quickly. “The Government of India immediately took cognisance of the matter, handed over the investigation to the CBI, cancelled the examination and announced a fresh date for the re-examination,” he wrote, referring to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He added that the exam would move to Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year.He described the re-examination on June 21 as a “whole-of-government approach,” involving the Centre, state governments and district administrations, and said it was completed with cooperation from students and parents.
Defence of his own role
Pradhan repeated that he had not stepped away from responsibility during the controversy. “From the very first day, I took responsibility and never turned away from this situation,” he wrote. He said his aim throughout was to protect “meritorious” students from what he called the “examination mafia,” and pointed to the July 16 results as proof the process worked, noting that many students from poor backgrounds had succeeded.
The allegation of being misled
Without naming anyone, Pradhan alleged that “individuals occupying responsible positions” tried to create obstacles by misleading students, a development he said caused him “deep anguish.” He has criticised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in recent days, though the letter itself does not name him or any organisation.Pradhan framed the resignation as an act of protecting students and national unity rather than a personal setback. “This is not a matter of personal prestige for me,” he wrote, pointing to the protests at Jantar Mantar. He said the decision was meant to ensure “anti-national forces do not take advantage” of the situation, that “the country’s unity remains intact,” that no student’s future gets “entangled in legal complications,” and that children can return to their studies.He closed by thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues and ministry staff, and said service to the nation “is the highest priority” of his life.Full text of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation letter, as translated from Hindi:“My young friends,For more than four decades, I have remained dedicated as a student, a teacher, and to the cause of education reform. I have always believed that a strong, inclusive and forward-looking education system is the foundation of a strong nation. I have always deeply respected the aspirations, emotions and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth. Fulfilling the dreams of India’s young generation has been a moral commitment throughout our political and social lives. I express my gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for giving me the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership.However, irregularities came to light in the NEET-UG examination held on May 3, 2026. The Government of India immediately took cognisance of the matter, handed over the investigation to the CBI, cancelled the examination and announced a fresh date for the re-examination. It was also decided that from next year onwards, the examination would be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.During this period, our foremost priority was to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination for more than 20 lakh students. We worked with a whole-of-government approach. Along with the Government of India, state governments, especially district administrations, played an important role. With the cooperation of students, parents and guardians, the examination was successfully completed on June 21, 2026. From the very first day, I took responsibility and never turned away from this situation. My resolve was that we would not allow the prospects of any meritorious student to be ruined because of the examination mafia, nor would we allow injustice to be done to any student.The NEET-UG results declared on July 16 were satisfactory, with many meritorious students from poor backgrounds also achieving success.However, even during this period, individuals occupying responsible positions tried to create obstacles by misleading students, which caused me deep anguish.I have always had unwavering faith in the strength of our democracy and have always respected the aspirations, dreams and expectations of our youth. They are not only India’s future, but also the torchbearers, builders and architects of a new and developed India. The developments of the past ten days have saddened me deeply. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me.India’s youth are the nation’s greatest strength.It is my resolve that we will not allow the country’s youth to fall into the vicious cycle of confusion and misinformation.Considering the situation that has arisen at Jantar Mantar and across the country, and to ensure that anti-national forces do not take advantage of it, that the country’s unity remains intact, that not a single student’s future gets entangled in legal complications, and that our children devote their time to studies and focus on building their careers, I have submitted my resignation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister.I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for his guidance, trust and constant support. I also thank all my esteemed colleagues in the Council of Ministers, the officers and staff of the ministry, and all those with whom I had the privilege of working. Service to the nation is the highest priority of my life. I shall always remain dedicated to it.With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I will continue to dedicate myself in every possible way to fulfilling the aspirations of Mother India, the people of Odisha and the youth of the country.Yours,Dharmendra Pradhan”
