India’s Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has stepped down following days of nationwide demonstrations sparked by allegations of irregularities in key national examinations.
Pradhan announced his resignation on Saturday in a statement shared on social media, saying he had submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The protests were led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-driven movement that emerged online before mobilizing thousands of students across the country. The demonstrations began over alleged leaks and irregularities surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and later expanded into calls for broader reforms in India’s education system.
Initially centered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the protests spread to several cities, drawing large crowds of students and young people demanding accountability from the government.
Security forces used tear gas and batons to disperse protesters attempting to march toward parliament earlier in the week, while the government held multiple rounds of discussions with CJP representatives in an effort to end the unrest. However, negotiations failed to produce an agreement before Pradhan’s resignation.
In his resignation message, Pradhan expressed regret over the recent developments, saying the interests of India’s youth should remain a national priority and stressing the need to prevent uncertainty from affecting students’ futures.
News of his resignation was met with celebrations at protest sites, where demonstrators described the development as a significant victory for the student movement. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke hailed the outcome, saying the campaign had achieved one of its primary objectives.
Although the protests were initially triggered by concerns over examination malpractice, the movement has since broadened to include demands for better employment opportunities, improved prospects for young people, and criticism of the government’s leadership.
The demonstrators are also seeking compensation for students affected by the examination controversies and the withdrawal of legal cases filed against protesters.
The unrest has become one of the most significant public challenges facing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration since his re-election in 2024.
