Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has stepped down from his position amid growing nationwide outrage over alleged irregularities in national-level examinations, including question paper leaks and concerns surrounding the conduct of competitive tests. The resignation follows weeks of sustained protests by students and civil society organisations demanding accountability and reforms in the country’s examination system.
Dharmendra Pradhan confirmed through a post on the social media platform X that he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The protests, which gained momentum across several states and at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, were largely driven by allegations of malpractice in examinations such as the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
Sharing details of his resignation, Dharmendra addressed the nation’s youth, stating that he has dedicated more than four decades to educational reforms and has always respected the aspirations and sentiments of students. He acknowledged the distress caused by the recent developments and said his decision to step down was taken in the larger interest of the country, its unity, and the welfare of students.
Student organisations had accused the Ministry of Education of failing to ensure transparency in the conduct of examinations and of not addressing the shortcomings of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Several protest leaders had earlier declared that their agitation would continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.
Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation marks a major development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the integrity of India’s examination system, with many now calling for comprehensive reforms to restore public confidence in national competitive examinations.
