Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has officially tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister following widespread protests and public outcry over competitive examination irregularities.
In a statement shared via X (formerly Twitter), Pradhan emphasized that holding office was never a “matter of personal prestige” and outlined his reasons for stepping down.
Key Takeaways from His Statement
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Response to Examination Irregularities:
Addressing the NEET-UG 2026 examination controversies from May 3, Pradhan highlighted that the government promptly transferred the investigation to the CBI, cancelled the compromised exam, and conducted a re-examination on June 21 using a whole-of-government approach to safeguard over 20 lakh students.
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Preventing Legal & Political Exploitation:
Pradhan noted that the resignation aims to calm the ongoing demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and across the nation, preventing “anti-national forces” from exploiting student unrest or trapping students’ futures in prolonged legal battles.
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Transition to Computer-Based Testing:
He reaffirmed that starting next year, the NEET-UG examination will transition to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode to curb paper leaks and defeat the “exam mafia.”
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Commitment to the Youth & Nation:
Reflecting on his four decades of involvement in student activism and educational reforms, Pradhan expressed deep distress over politically driven attempts to mislead students, stating that his primary goal remains ensuring young citizens can focus on their studies without confusion.
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Gratitude & Future Outlook:
Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his trust and guidance, offering his appreciation to ministerial colleagues and government staff. He pledged to continue serving the country, the people of Odisha, and Indian youth with the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
