By onlinenews24seven NEW DELHI 25 July 2026— In a major political development, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid growing outrage and ongoing protests across the country regarding irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
Pradhan’s resignation comes after weeks of intense pressure from student organizations and opposition parties demanding accountability over examination management and paper leak allegations.
Addressing the Nation’s Youth
In an open letter to the youth of the nation, the Sambalpur MP emphasized his long-standing commitment to education reforms.
“For more than four decades, I have been dedicated to students, teachers, and 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,” Pradhan wrote in his letter.
Highlighting the government’s actions, Pradhan noted that immediate steps were taken following irregularities in the May 3 examination, including handing the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), organizing re-tests, and deciding to shift future NEET-UG exams to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
Preventing Exploitation by ‘Anti-National Forces’
Explaining the rationale behind his decision to step down, Pradhan stated that his personal prestige was secondary to the future of the students. He noted with concern that ongoing demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and elsewhere were risking the academic focus of young citizens.
“I do not want the youth of this country to be caught in a web of confusion or legal entanglements. To ensure unity remains intact and anti-national elements do not exploit the situation, I have submitted my resignation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister,” the former minister stated.
Expressing Gratitude and Moving Forward
Closing his statement, Pradhan extended his gratitude to PM Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues, and government officials for their support during his tenure. He reaffirmed his resolve to continue serving the nation and the people of Odisha under the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is expected to announce interim arrangements for the Education Ministry shortly.