Team Goemkarponn
DELHI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following weeks of turmoil and protests surrounding the NEET-UG examination irregularities. In a public letter addressed to the youth of the nation (“मेरे युवा साथियों”), Pradhan reflected on his four-decade-long career dedicated to education reform and expressed deep sorrow over the recent developments surrounding national competitive exams.
Detailing the action taken regarding the examination irregularities, Pradhan highlighted that following the issues detected in the May 3, 2026 NEET-UG examination, the government acted swiftly by cancelling the test, handing over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and announcing fresh exam dates. He added that to prevent future breaches, the examination will transition to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode starting next year. Through a coordinated effort involving state governments, local administrations, and parents, the re-examination was successfully conducted on June 21, 2026, for over 20 lakh students, with results declared on July 16, 2026.
Addressing the reasoning behind his decision, Pradhan stated that despite the government’s efforts and the successful re-examination, certain individuals in responsible positions attempted to mislead students and create obstacles, leaving him deeply distressed. Highlighting protests at Jantar Mantar and across the country, he emphasized the need to prevent anti-national forces from taking advantage of the situation and to ensure students do not get entangled in legal complexities or lose focus on their studies. Reflecting on the situation, he wrote in his letter that seeing the sequence of events over the last ten days deeply pained his heart, adding that the matter was not one of personal prestige, but rather a commitment to ensuring India’s youth power—the true strength of the nation—does not fall into a web of confusion.
In closing, Pradhan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance and constant support, while also thanking his Cabinet colleagues and ministry officials. Reaffirming that serving the nation remains his highest priority, he concluded by invoking the blessings of Lord Jagannath and promising to continue serving both the people of Odisha and the youth of India.
