New Delhi, July 25 (JKNS): President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to an official communication, as per news agency JKNS, the resignation has been accepted under Article 75(2) of the Constitution of India.
The President has also assigned Union Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi the additional charge of the Ministry of Education, along with his existing ministerial portfolio, until further arrangements are made.
The development comes into effect immediately.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday announced that he has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the decision was taken in the interest of students and to ensure the ongoing NEET-UG controversy does not further affect the future of the country’s youth.
According to details available with news agency JKNS, Pradhan shared a detailed letter addressed to the nation’s youth, stating that he has remained committed to students, teachers and education reforms for more than four decades and has always believed that a strong, inclusive and visionary education system forms the foundation of a strong nation.
In his letter, Pradhan said irregularities had surfaced in the NEET-UG examination held on May 3, 2026, following which the Government of India immediately handed over the investigation to the CBI, cancelled the examination and announced a fresh test.
He also noted that the government has decided to conduct the examination in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year.
He said the government’s priority throughout the crisis was to ensure that the examination for more than 20 lakh students was conducted smoothly through a “whole of government” approach with the support of state governments, district administrations, students and parents.
Pradhan stated that he accepted responsibility for the situation from the very beginning and never attempted to evade accountability.
He said the satisfactory declaration of NEET-UG results on July 16 ensured that several meritorious students, including those from economically weaker backgrounds, secured success.
Expressing concern over recent developments, the outgoing minister said he was deeply pained by the events of the past several days and stressed that the issue was not about his personal position.
He added that India’s youth are the nation’s greatest strength and should not become victims of confusion or prolonged political and legal disputes.
Pradhan said he decided to resign to ensure that anti-national forces do not exploit the prevailing situation, national unity remains intact, and students are able to focus on their education and careers instead of getting caught in prolonged controversies.
He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance and trust, while expressing gratitude to his ministerial colleagues, officials and all those with whom he worked during his tenure.
His resignation comes after weeks of nationwide student protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities, with demonstrators demanding accountability and reforms in the country’s examination system. (JKNS)
