India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following days of nationwide demonstrations over alleged examination paper leaks, handing a major victory to student protesters whose movement had grown into one of the biggest political challenges for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent years.
Celebrations broke out at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where thousands of demonstrators gathered after news of the resignation emerged. Protesters waved flags, chanted slogans and declared the campaign a success after demanding accountability over the controversial entrance examination scandal.
Education Minister Announces Resignation
Pradhan confirmed his resignation through a statement shared on social media, saying he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Modi in light of the ongoing unrest.
He said the decision was taken to ensure that the situation would not be exploited by anti-national elements while expressing respect for the aspirations and concerns of India’s youth.
The controversy centered on the alleged leak of the medical college entrance examination paper earlier this year, which forced authorities to cancel the original results and conduct a fresh examination involving nearly two million candidates.
Student Movement Ends Protest Campaign
Leaders of the youth protest movement announced that demonstrations would now conclude following the minister’s resignation.
Speaking before supporters at Jantar Mantar, movement founder Abhijeet Dipke described the resignation as a victory for peaceful protest, saying the campaign had achieved its primary objective.
Later, senior government officials met representatives of the protest movement, after which organisers confirmed they would suspend further demonstrations under an agreement that protesters would not face legal action.
Celebrations Erupt in New Delhi
As news of the resignation spread, crowds at the protest site celebrated by singing the national anthem, distributing sweets and chanting patriotic slogans.
Security remained tight across central New Delhi, with a large police deployment maintaining order while roads around the Connaught Place area experienced temporary closures due to the gathering.
Authorities also restored mobile internet services around the protest venue after restrictions imposed during the demonstrations earlier in the week.
Opposition Welcomes Resignation
Opposition leaders welcomed Pradhan’s departure but argued that further accountability was necessary.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called for those responsible for the police response to the protests to be held accountable and urged Prime Minister Modi to apologise for the use of force against demonstrators.
The protests had gained momentum after clashes between police and students earlier in the week, when security forces used tear gas and baton charges to disperse crowds attempting to march toward Parliament.
Exam Leak Sparked Nationwide Anger
Although student groups had been protesting since June, public frustration intensified after the examination controversy highlighted wider concerns about youth unemployment, transparency and government accountability.
Demonstrations spread beyond Delhi to several Indian states, including West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, where students organised rallies, class boycotts and public gatherings demanding reforms to the examination system.
Political Impact
Pradhan, who had served as India’s Education Minister since 2021, becomes only the second federal minister to resign during Narendra Modi’s tenure following a major public controversy.
Political analysts say the resignation marks a significant moment for India’s student movement and could increase pressure on the government to introduce stronger safeguards against examination malpractice while restoring public confidence in the country’s competitive testing system.
