Dharmendra Pradhan is stepping down in the first major concession by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government following nationwide demonstrations.
Published July 25, 2026
India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned in a major victory for youth protesters across the country who have demanded he step down to take responsibility for a series of exam paper leaks.
Pradhan announced his resignation on Saturday as police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in New Delhi, hours before their leaders were due to hold another round of talks with federal ministers.
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“Considering the situation that has arisen at Jantar Mantar and across the country, to ensure that anti-national forces do not take advantage of this situation… I have submitted my resignation to the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi),” Pradhan wrote in his post.
“I deeply respect the aspirations, feelings and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth.”
Pradhan said he did not want the tens of thousands of students calling for his resignation to be used by “anti-national forces”. He said he doesn’t want students to “get caught up in legal complications” instead of learning and building their careers.
Cheers erupted among thousands of protesters gathered at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and elsewhere as news of Pradhan’s departure spread.
The demonstrators are part of a political satirical movement known as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), created to channel the grievances of India’s youth, many of whom feel they have been let down by Modi and his government.
Federal authorities have restricted access to the Internet and 18 subway stations to try to limit protest in the capital.
Anger boiled over after police injured scores of students on Monday, used batons, fired tear gas and even used guns to hold back crowds of protesters marching toward parliament.
In a post on X, CJP wrote: “The cockroaches have won… Democracy has won!”
A second round of talks between senior members of the group and the government was due to take place on Saturday. It is unclear whether this meeting will take place.
The talks also took place on Friday and the government has asked for time until Saturday afternoon to respond to the demand for Pradhan’s resignation.
The movement also demands that no protesters be criminally charged and that compensation be paid to the families of students who committed suicide as a result of the leaked documents.
The protests, one of the most visible signs of public dissent against the Modi government in recent years, reflect growing discontent over job shortages, corruption and government accountability.