Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Education Minister amid NEET protests
Synopsis
Weeks of student protests over the NEET-UG paper leak finally claimed a Cabinet scalp — Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation marks a rare instance of sustained public pressure forcing a Union minister out of office. Pralhad Joshi steps in, but the harder question — whether India's exam integrity crisis will be structurally fixed — remains unanswered.
Key Takeaways
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on 25 July amid mass student protests over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
He has been replaced by Pralhad Joshi as the new Union Education Minister.
Delhi Police cracked down on protestors at Jantar Mantar on 20 July , intensifying nationwide demonstrations.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the protest site on 18 July after completing 21 days of an indefinite hunger strike.
Bollywood figures including Kriti Sanon and Ishaan Khatter publicly celebrated the resignation as a democratic win; Ranvir Shorey offered a critical take on the government's handling.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, 25 July, following weeks of sustained student protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam, including accusations of a paper leak. He has been replaced by Pralhad Joshi as the new Union Education Minister. Bollywood celebrities were among the first to publicly respond to the development, with several framing it as a victory for democratic accountability.
Bollywood Reacts to the Resignation
Actress Kriti Sanon posted a message on her Instagram Stories, writing: 'A true democracy doesn't weaken when questioned. It strengthens when it listens.' Actor Ishaan Khatter shared a photograph of himself holding a drawing that read 'Inquilaab Zindabad' (long live the revolution), and wrote: 'India won today. Democracy won today. The collective empathy of millions washed the apathy of habit. So f**king proud. THIS is the INDIA I grew up in. Maa tujhe salaam.'
Not all reactions were celebratory. Actor Ranvir Shorey posted on X (formerly Twitter), offering a sardonic take on the Modi government's handling of the crisis: 'And in one swift move the Modi govt has managed to win over none of its enemies, and disenchant a lot of its supporters. #masterstroke.'
The Protests That Forced the Resignation
Pradhan's exit came after weeks of mounting pressure from students and civil society, centred at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The protests escalated sharply after Delhi Police cracked down on demonstrators on 20 July, an action that reportedly drew widespread public outrage and swelled the crowds at the protest site. Demonstrations subsequently spread from the capital to major metro cities and, eventually, smaller towns across the country.
A pivotal moment came on 18 July, when climate activist and Ladakh campaigner Sonam Wangchuk was removed by Delhi Police from the Jantar Mantar site in the early hours of the morning, after completing 21 days of an indefinite hunger strike demanding Pradhan's resignation over the alleged exam irregularities. Authorities shifted him to a hospital, citing his deteriorating health, medical advice, and compliance with a Delhi High Court order.
Background: The NEET-UG Controversy
The protests were rooted in allegations of serious irregularities in the NEET-UG competitive examination, including a suspected paper leak. Students and academic bodies argued that the integrity of one of India's most consequential entrance exams had been compromised, demanding both accountability and structural reform. The controversy placed the Union Education Ministry under sustained scrutiny for several weeks before Pradhan's resignation.
What Happens Next
Pralhad Joshi has been appointed as the new Union Education Minister, inheriting a ministry under pressure to restore credibility to the national examination system. Whether the change in leadership translates into concrete reforms on exam integrity remains to be seen, with student groups indicating they will continue to monitor the government's response.
Point of View
But the students who drove this movement have been clear that a ministerial change is a floor, not a ceiling, for what they are demanding.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign as Education Minister?
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on 25 July following weeks of large-scale student protests demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, including accusations of a paper leak. The protests intensified after a Delhi Police crackdown on demonstrators at Jantar Mantar on 20 July.
Who has replaced Dharmendra Pradhan as Education Minister?
Pralhad Joshi has been appointed as the new Union Education Minister following Pradhan's resignation. He inherits a ministry facing significant pressure to restore credibility to India's national examination system.
What role did Sonam Wangchuk play in the protests?
Sonam Wangchuk undertook a 21-day indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, demanding Pradhan's resignation over alleged exam irregularities. He was removed by Delhi Police on 18 July and shifted to a hospital, an act that further inflamed public sentiment and swelled protest numbers.
How did Bollywood react to Pradhan's resignation?
Reactions were largely positive. Kriti Sanon posted on Instagram Stories that 'a true democracy doesn't weaken when questioned,' while Ishaan Khatter shared an 'Inquilaab Zindabad' image calling it a win for India and democracy. Actor Ranvir Shorey took a more sceptical tone on X, suggesting the government had neither won over critics nor retained supporters.
What is the NEET-UG controversy about?
NEET-UG is India's primary undergraduate medical entrance examination. Allegations of a paper leak and broader irregularities in the conduct of the exam triggered the student movement, with demonstrators arguing the integrity of the exam had been compromised and demanding systemic reform alongside ministerial accountability.
