NEW DELHI, July 25 — Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following ongoing controversies surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
Reflecting on his four-decade commitment to student and educational reforms, Dharmendra Pradhan detailed how irregularities during the May 3 exam led the central government to initiate a CBI investigation, cancel the initial test, announce re-examination dates, and decide to transition future tests to computer-based testing. Despite conducting the re-test successfully on June 21 for over 20 lakh students and releasing satisfactory results on July 16, Dharmendra Pradhan expressed deep anguish over attempts by individuals in responsible positions to mislead youth and create unrest.
Addressing his decision to step down, Dharmendra Pradhan stated that recent events over the past ten days pushed him to act to prevent anti-national elements from taking advantage of ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar and across the country. He emphasized the importance of preserving national unity and ensuring students remain focused on their studies rather than getting trapped in legal tangles or misinformation.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cabinet colleagues, and ministry officials, he reaffirmed his lifelong dedication to national service and the aspirations of youth, stating he will continue working for the people of Odisha and the nation under the blessings of Lord Jagannath.