Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday amid nationwide protests demanding his resignation over the alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, particularly the NEET-UG exam.
Announcing his decision in a letter shared on X, Pradhan said his resignation was guided by the interests of students and the nation, adding that it was never a question of personal pride.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 25, 2026
Says Education Has Been His Lifelong Mission
In his resignation letter, Pradhan said he has spent more than four decades working for students, teachers and education reforms. He described a strong and inclusive education system as the foundation of a developed nation.
He said he has always respected the hopes and aspirations of young people and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him the opportunity to serve the country.
Recalls Government's Response to NEET-UG Irregularities
Pradhan said the government acted immediately after alleged irregularities surfaced in the NEET-UG examination held on May 3, 2026.
According to him, the Centre transferred the investigation to the CBI, cancelled the examination, announced a re-test and decided to conduct the exam in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year.
He added that the government's top priority was to conduct the examination smoothly for more than 20 lakh students. He said the Centre, state governments and district administrations worked together to complete the process successfully, and the examination concluded on June 21, 2026, with the support of students and parents.
Says He Took Responsibility From the Beginning
Pradhan said he accepted full responsibility for the situation from the very beginning and remained committed to protecting deserving students.
He said he was determined to ensure that the alleged "exam mafia" did not destroy the future of meritorious students or deny them justice.
He also stated that the NEET-UG results declared on July 16 were satisfactory and that many talented students from economically weaker backgrounds had performed well.
Claims Attempts Were Made to Mislead Students
The former minister alleged that some people holding responsible positions tried to create confusion and mislead students even after the examination process was completed.
He said those developments caused him deep pain.
Says Resignation Is in the Nation's Interest
Pradhan said he has complete faith in India's democracy and believes the country's youth are the driving force behind its future. Calling recent developments deeply painful, he wrote, "This is not a matter of personal prestige for me."
He further said, "India's youth power is the true strength of this nation." He added that he did not want young people to become trapped in confusion.
Explains Reason Behind Stepping Down
Pradhan said he decided to resign considering the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country.
He said his decision was aimed at preventing anti-national forces from taking advantage of the unrest, protecting national unity, ensuring that students do not become entangled in legal issues, and allowing them to focus on their education and careers.
For these reasons, he said he submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Thanks PM Modi and Colleagues
In the concluding part of his letter, Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Modi for his guidance, trust and continuous support. He also expressed gratitude to his colleagues in the Union Council of Ministers, officials and staff of the Education Ministry, and everyone he worked with during his tenure.
Pradhan said serving the nation would always remain his highest priority and pledged to continue working for the people of Odisha, the country's youth and the nation's progress with the blessings of Lord Jagannath.