NEW DELHI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from his post, taking responsibility in the wake of the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 examination. In an emotional letter addressed to the country’s youth, Pradhan reflected on his decades-long commitment to education and expressed regret over the distress caused by the examination irregularities.
In his resignation letter titled “मेरे युवा साथियों”, Pradhan said that immediately after irregularities surfaced in the May 3 NEET-UG examination, the Centre cancelled the test, entrusted the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and announced a fresh examination. He also stated that from next year, NEET-UG will be conducted entirely in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode to strengthen transparency and prevent future paper leaks.
The minister noted that, with the cooperation of state governments, local administrations, educational institutions and parents, the re-examination was successfully conducted on June 21, 2026, for more than 20 lakh candidates, and the results were declared on July 16, 2026.
Explaining his decision to resign, Pradhan said that although corrective measures had been taken, attempts by certain individuals to mislead students and escalate the issue through protests left him deeply disturbed. Referring to demonstrations held at Jantar Mantar and other parts of the country, he said his priority was to ensure that students were not drawn into prolonged agitation, legal disputes or political confrontation that could affect their future.
He wrote that the developments of the past several days had caused him immense pain and stressed that the issue was never about safeguarding his position but about protecting the aspirations of India’s youth, whom he described as the nation’s greatest strength.
Concluding his letter, Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance and unwavering support, along with his Cabinet colleagues and officials of the Education Ministry. Reaffirming his commitment to public service, he said he would continue working for the people of Odisha and the youth of India while seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
