New Delhi, July 25: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced his resignation, stating that his decision was taken in the larger interest of students, the nation, and democratic values following the recent controversy surrounding the NEET-UG examination.
In a letter addressed to the youth of India, Pradhan said he has devoted over four decades to education as a student, teacher, and reformer, maintaining that a strong, inclusive, and transparent education system is the foundation of a strong nation.
Referring to the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3, he said the Central Government acted promptly by handing over the investigation to the CBI, cancelling the examination, and announcing a fresh test. He also noted that the government has decided to conduct NEET in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year to enhance transparency.
Pradhan stated that ensuring a fair examination for more than 20 lakh students remained the government’s top priority. According to him, the retest conducted on June 21, 2026, was successfully completed through a “whole-of-government approach” with the support of state governments, district administrations, students, parents, and other stakeholders.
He said the NEET-UG 2026 results, declared on July 16, were satisfactory and enabled many meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds to achieve success.
However, Pradhan expressed disappointment over what he described as attempts by individuals in responsible positions to mislead students and create obstacles during the process. He said the developments of the past ten days had deeply saddened him, though he emphasized that the issue was never about his personal reputation.
Calling India’s youth the country’s greatest strength, Pradhan said he did not want students to become entangled in prolonged legal disputes or political controversies. He added that, with this objective in mind, he had submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister.
In his concluding remarks, Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance, trust, and continuous support, and expressed gratitude to his Cabinet colleagues, ministry officials, and everyone he worked with during his tenure. He reaffirmed his commitment to public service and pledged to continue working for the aspirations of India’s youth and the nation’s development.
Users Today : 43
Total Users : 66482