Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns as Union Education Minister, Says Youth Should Not Suffer Due to Politics

New Delhi, July 25: In a significant political development, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced his resignation, stating that the interests of India’s youth and students must remain above politics. In a detailed public letter, Pradhan said he was stepping down not because of personal prestige, but to uphold accountability and protect the future of millions of students.

Pradhan expressed unwavering faith in the strength, aspirations and potential of India’s youth, describing them as the architects of a new, developed and self-reliant India. He said that while the developments of the past few days had caused him deep pain, his decision was guided by the larger national interest rather than personal considerations.

Emphasising that the country’s youth are its greatest strength, Pradhan said he was determined to ensure that they do not become victims of political conflict. He appealed that anti-national forces should not be allowed to exploit the prevailing situation and stressed that students’ futures must not be sacrificed for political gains.

The former minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance, trust and continuous support during his tenure. He also expressed gratitude to his Cabinet colleagues, ministry officials, employees and everyone who worked alongside him, reiterating that service to the nation would remain his highest priority. Seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath, he pledged to continue serving the people of India, particularly the youth of Odisha and the country.

Details NEET-UG Crisis and Government’s Response

In a separate message addressed to students and young people, Pradhan reflected on his decades-long association with the education sector as a student, teacher and education reform advocate. He said he had always believed that a transparent, inclusive and visionary education system forms the foundation of a strong nation.

Referring to the NEET-UG 2026 examination controversy, Pradhan acknowledged that irregularities had surfaced during the examination process. He noted that the Government of India acted swiftly by handing over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), cancelling the examination and announcing a fresh date. He further highlighted that the government had decided to conduct the examination in computer-based test (CBT) mode from next year to strengthen transparency and credibility.

Pradhan said the government’s immediate priority was to ensure that over 20 lakh students could take the examination fairly and smoothly. He credited the successful conduct of the re-examination to a whole-of-government approach, involving the Central Government, state governments, district administrations, students, parents and guardians.

He stated that from the very first day he accepted full responsibility for the situation and remained committed to ensuring that no deserving student’s future was harmed due to flaws in the examination process. He added that the declaration of the NEET-UG results within 16 days enabled many meritorious students, including those from economically weaker backgrounds, to achieve success.

However, Pradhan expressed disappointment that certain individuals occupying responsible positions allegedly attempted to mislead students and create obstacles during the crisis, saying such actions caused him immense distress.

Reaffirming his faith in the country’s youth, Pradhan concluded by saying that he would continue working for the aspirations of students and for the progress of the nation with the same dedication in the future.(KNC)