India’s education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following weeks of nationwide protests led by youth activists demanding accountability over competitive exam leaks. The high-profile exit marks a rare political defeat for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government after months of escalating student demonstrations, police clashes, and hunger strikes.
Resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan Ends Weeks of Unrest
India’s education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday after a nearly three-month-long storm surrounding irregularities in the country’s examination system and entrance paper leaks. Pradhan announced his departure in a post on X, stating that he submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a statement on Saturday afternoon, Pradhan wrote: Considering the situation that has arisen at Jantar Mantar and across the country, so that anti-national forces do not take advantage of this situation … I have sent my resignation letter to the prime minister.
He added, I deeply respect the aspirations, feelings, and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth.
Modi has not yet publicly accepted his resignation.
Dharmendra Pradhan, Education Minister
His exit hands a major victory to the youth-led movement that spearheaded nationwide demonstrations, sit-ins, and hunger strikes. News of his stepping down brought ecstatic cheers from tens of thousands of supporters who had camped in New Delhi. Prachi Kumar, a corporate employee who joined the protests, said Pradhan’s resignation was necessary to restore accountability in the education system, stating, This had to be done. Someone must be held accountable.
In the 12 years the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power, it was the first time one of Modi’s most loyal ministers has been forced into resigning due to public pressure.
Rise of the Cockroach Janta Party and the Exam Leak Crisis
The protests originated from allegations that entrance exams for premier medical schools were leaked and sold, forcing millions of students to face devastating impacts on their lives, with more than a dozen students taking their own lives. The movement coalesced around the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth political movement founded by Abhijeet Dipke. The unrest began more than a month ago as a call for education reforms and has grown into a broader protest over unemployment, government accountability, and economic opportunities, drawing students, professionals, families, and activists to rallies in New Delhi and other cities across India.
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the CJP, hailed Pradhan’s resignation in a statement following the announcement, while adding that there was still more to be done. This is democracy. He has resigned. We have two more demands. We won’t go like this,
he said. The families of the children who committed suicide should receive compensation of one crore rupees,
Dipke said, referring to reports in Indian media that several students who sat medical exams took their own lives after learning their results would be scrapped. He also called for action against police officers who were involved in quelling protests earlier this week. The Cockroach Janta Party also declared victory on X, writing: DEMOCRACY WINS!
Timeline of Agitation, Clashes, and Government Talks
The agitation escalated from initial outrage over the NEET-UG 2026 exam conducted on May 3, where 22 lakh candidates appeared, to a structured nationwide campaign. On May 12, NEET-UG 2026 was cancelled after paper leak allegations. Abhijeet Dipke founded the platform on May 16, and by June 2, student demonstrations occurred in major cities. Dipke returned to India on June 6 to lead the CJP’s first street protest in New Delhi, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. On June 11, the CJP released a five-point manifesto demanding testing reforms and compensation for students, followed by the launch of an indefinite protest at Jantar Mantar on June 20.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk began his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 28, and the CJP announced a Parliament march on July 9 for the first day of the Monsoon Session. Tensions escalated on July 16 when the Delhi High Court directed authorities to monitor Wangchuk’s health and do whatever it takes to save his life, leading Delhi Police to remove Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar and admit him to a hospital on July 18. On July 20, thousands attempted the “Chalo Sansad” march to Parliament, resulting in police use of tear gas and batons to disperse marchers, injuring several students and further fueling youth anger.
Amid the turmoil, the government held its first talks with CJP representatives at JP Nadda’s residence on July 20. From July 20 to July 24, the opposition stalled Parliament, demanding Pradhan’s resignation, while Rahul Gandhi led Congress MPs in a sit-in outside the prime minister’s residence on July 21. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced fast-track courts to try paper leak cases on July 23. Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike on July 24 after assurances from the Centre, which was the same day as a second round of Centre-CJP talks where protesters insisted on Pradhan’s resignation, culminating in Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation on July 25.
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