Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on June 5, 2026 . He submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This action follows widespread student protests regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET UG 2026 exam.
Resignation Amid Protests
Pradhan cited respect for the nation's youth as the reason for his departure. He thanked the Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve. The resignation comes just hours before scheduled talks between the government and the CJP. CJP leads student protests demanding accountability.
NEET UG 2026 Exam Issues
The NEET UG 2026 exam was held on May 3, 2026 . Reports of paper leaks and irregularities emerged shortly after. The Union government confirmed these issues. It immediately handed over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
A re-test was conducted for affected candidates. The exact number of students who took the re-test has not been officially released. The controversy has led to significant public outcry and student demonstrations.
Future Exam Reforms
In his resignation letter, Pradhan announced a significant reform for future exams. The NEET 2027 exam will adopt a computer-based test (CBT) format. This shift aims to enhance exam security and reduce paper-related vulnerabilities.
The government has not yet announced a successor for the Education Minister position. The impending talks between the Centre and CJP are expected to heavily feature Pradhan's resignation and future exam policies. Students are demanding transparency and stringent measures against exam malpractice.
Key Dates and Developments
- May 3, 2026 : NEET UG 2026 exam conducted.
- Post May 3, 2026 : Allegations of paper leaks surface.
- Early June 2026 : CBI investigation launched.
- June 5, 2026 : Re-test conducted for some candidates.
- June 5, 2026 : Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Union Education Minister.
- June 5, 2026 (evening) : Scheduled talks between Centre and CJP.
The government's response to the ongoing investigations and student demands remains a key focus. Further details on the CBI investigation are anticipated. The impact of these events on the upcoming academic year is yet to be fully assessed.
