Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned taking moral responsibility for the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, stating his decision aims to shield students from political confusion and prolonged legal entanglement.
BY PC Bureau
NEW DELHI, July 25, 2026: — Submitting his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra PradhaPradhan stated the decision was made in the larger interest of the nation’s youth, aiming to prevent students from becoming “trapped in a web of confusion”. His departure marks the culmination of weeks of intense pressure, which included widespread demonstrations and a 26-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
In a detailed, emotionally charged open letter addressed to his “young friends,” Pradhan reflected on his four-decade career dedicated to student welfare and educational reform. He emphasized his foundational belief that a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking education system is the bedrock of the nation.
Addressing the NEET-UG crisis directly, Pradhan outlined the government’s swift response after irregularities were detected in the initial May 3 exam. He highlighted that the Centre immediately took cognizance of the issue, handed the investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and cancelled the compromised test.
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A massive logistical effort followed, employing a “whole-of-government” approach involving state and district administrations to securely conduct a re-examination for over 20 lakh candidates on June 21. Pradhan noted that the results declared on July 16 were satisfactory and successfully protected the prospects of meritorious students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 25, 2026
“No Injustice to Any Student”
Throughout the crisis, Pradhan asserted that he embraced accountability. “From the very first day, I took responsibility for the situation and never turned away from it,” he wrote, stressing his resolve to ensure the “examination mafia” did not ruin the chances of honest candidates.
However, the outgoing minister expressed deep anguish over the politicization of the crisis. He criticized certain individuals in positions of responsibility for attempting to mislead students and create obstructions. Pradhan warned against letting “anti-national forces” exploit the situation or allowing students’ futures to get entangled in messy legal complications. By stepping down, he hopes to defuse the political tension so students can refocus on their education.
Systemic Reforms Ahead
To restore faith in the examination process, the Education Ministry is pushing forward with critical systemic overhauls. Starting next year, the NEET-UG will transition entirely to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format to eliminate the risk of physical paper leaks. The Centre is also reportedly preparing a stringent anti-paper leak law to safeguard the integrity of national exams.
Concluding his letter, Pradhan expressed his profound gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership and thanked his Cabinet colleagues. Reaffirming his commitment to public service, he pledged to continue working toward the welfare of India’s youth and the nation.
