New Delhi, July 25: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, ending his tenure amid mounting pressure from a 25-day protest by CJP at Jantar Mantar demanding his removal over alleged lapses in national examinations.
Top government sources told this paper that Pradhan submitted his resignation late Friday night following repeated ultimatums from CJP leaders that the agitation would continue “until and unless Pradhan quits.” The PMO accepted it Saturday morning.
In his letter, Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and framed his exit as a decision taken in the interest of students. “For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I deeply respect the aspirations and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth,” he wrote.
Defending his record, the outgoing minister said his sole focus was on conducting exams for over 20 lakh students without disruption. “We worked through a ‘whole-of-government’ approach with states and district administrations. With the cooperation of students and parents, the examination was successfully concluded on June 21, 2026,” he stated.
Pradhan also took direct responsibility for the crisis. “From day one, I never turned away from it. I was determined not to let the potential of any meritorious student be ruined by the ‘exam mafia’ and to ensure that no student faced injustice,” he said.
The resignation brings to a close one of the most turbulent chapters for the Education Ministry. BJP insiders said the party leadership moved quickly to contain political fallout ahead of upcoming state polls, with the CJP protest having drawn sustained national attention.
The Prime Minister’s Office is expected to announce interim charge of the ministry shortly.
