Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Education Minister over NEET-UG row

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on Saturday, taking moral responsibility for the NEET-UG 2026 controversy and stating that he did not want India's youth to become "trapped in a web of confusion."

His resignation comes amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination and follows a 26-day hunger strike by activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar.

In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan said he was stepping down in the larger interest of students, while reaffirming his lifelong commitment to education.

"For more than four decades, I have been associated with 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," he wrote.

Addressing the NEET-UG controversy, Pradhan said the Centre acted swiftly after irregularities were detected in the May 3 examination. According to him, the government handed the probe to the CBI, cancelled the examination, announced a re-test, and decided that from next year the exam would be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.

He said the government's priority throughout was to protect the interests of more than two million students appearing for the examination.

"From the very first day, I took responsibility for the situation and never turned away from it. My resolve was that we would not allow the prospects of any meritorious student to be harmed because of the examination controversy," Pradhan said.

Referring to the NEET-UG results declared on July 16, Pradhan said the outcome reflected the success of meritorious students, including candidates from economically weaker sections.

While defending the government's handling of the crisis, he expressed disappointment that, according to him, some individuals had attempted to mislead students during the controversy.

"The events of the past 10 days have saddened me. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me. It is my resolve that we will not allow the country's youth power to become trapped in a web of confusion," he wrote, adding that the protests at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere should not be allowed to be exploited by "anti-national forces."

Pradhan also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity to serve as Education Minister, expressing gratitude to his Cabinet colleagues, ministry officials and staff for their support.

His resignation comes as the Centre prepares to introduce a stringent anti-paper leak law, which is expected to provide for Special Fast-Track Courts, a Special Task Force (STF), and other measures aimed at preventing examination paper leaks across the country.

(With inputs from ANI)