New Delhi, July 25
Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Union Education Minister amid nationwide paper leak protests
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, July 25, 2026, following widespread protests over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET-UG examination.
The resignation comes as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continues its high-profile sit-in at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding systemic reforms in India’s examination system and accountability from the Education Ministry.
Why Dharmendra Pradhan Resigned: The NEET Controversy
Students and youth groups across the country have been protesting for weeks against repeated paper leaks and administrative lapses in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The CJP, a youth-led movement, has made the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan its primary and non-negotiable demand.
Protesters argue that the integrity of public examinations has been compromised, affecting the future of lakhs of medical aspirants. The ongoing agitation has drawn support from opposition leaders, student organisations, and now farmers’ unions.
Delhi Police Tightens Security Ahead of Weekend Protests
Delhi Police have significantly strengthened security arrangements in the national capital ahead of the weekend. Officials confirmed that additional layers of iron barricades, reinforced with heavy-duty chains, have been installed at key locations, particularly around Jantar Mantar and other sensitive stretches in the New Delhi district.
Surveillance measures have also been enhanced. Facial recognition systems installed near the protest site have reportedly identified more than 2,500 individuals with criminal backgrounds entering the area in recent days, according to police sources.
Eighteen Delhi Metro stations in central Delhi remained closed for the fourth consecutive day due to security concerns linked to the CJP protest. Liquor shops across the city will shut two hours earlier than usual — at 8 pm instead of 10 pm — until the weekend ends.
CJP Condemns Police Action and Calls for Nationwide Candle March
The Cockroach Janta Party has strongly condemned what it described as the “increasingly authoritarian actions” of Delhi Police. The group urged authorities to stop “laying siege” at Jantar Mantar and allow peaceful protest.
CJP has announced a nationwide candle march on Sunday, July 26, at 6 pm in solidarity with the students. Party representatives stated that the movement will intensify further if the government fails to address their core demands.
Women protesters and volunteer doctors at the site have reported severe hardships. With water supply restricted and access to nearby toilets becoming difficult, many women are struggling to meet basic hygiene needs. Some have been forced to leave the protest site, disrupting medical services for demonstrators.
Political Reactions Pour In
Yogi Adityanath attacks Congress and SP Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday accused the Congress and Samajwadi Party of ruining the future of students and youth. He claimed that the “copying mafia” was a legacy of these parties and alleged that they had nurtured and protected such elements for years. Adityanath credited the Narendra Modi government for taking stringent action against paper leaks.
Rahul Gandhi meets protesting students Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi met a group of student protesters at his residence on Saturday. He reiterated that the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is non-negotiable. Gandhi dismissed reports that a section of the Union Cabinet was considering shifting Pradhan to another ministry, stating that such a move would not resolve the issue.
Farmers’ Union and Students in Bihar Join the Movement
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) has announced that it will join the students’ protest in Delhi. The union plans to march to the national capital on Monday, July 27, and remain until the students’ demands are met.
In Bihar, left-wing student organisations held demonstrations in support of a statewide bandh against the NEET paper leak and police action on protesters. Police used baton charges in several districts. The bandh received a mixed response, with stone-pelting reported in Patna, while districts such as Nalanda, Nawada, Jehanabad, and Rohtas saw limited impact.
Social media posts also claimed that some students from Jamia Millia Islamia were detained by Delhi Police while returning from Jantar Mantar. Police sources confirmed that verification of around 150 persons detained during Friday night security checks was underway.
What Happens Next?
The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan marks a significant development in the ongoing NEET controversy. However, protesters have made it clear that they will continue the agitation until broader reforms are introduced in the examination system and accountability is fixed for past lapses.
The CJP has warned that the movement will only grow larger if concrete action is not taken. With farmers’ unions and more student groups expected to join, the coming days are likely to see further intensification of protests in Delhi and across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign? Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation on July 25, 2026, amid nationwide protests over alleged NEET paper leaks and examination irregularities.
What is the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)? The Cockroach Janta Party is a youth-led movement that has been protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of the Education Minister and reforms in India’s public examination system.
Where is the main protest happening? The primary protest is ongoing at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Eighteen metro stations in central Delhi remain closed due to security concerns.
Will the protests continue after the resignation? Yes. CJP leaders have stated that the agitation will continue until broader systemic reforms are implemented and their other demands are met.