India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday after weeks of nationwide student protests, street demonstrations and hunger strikes over alleged examination paper leaks and broader concerns about the country’s education system.
The resignation comes amid growing public criticism following allegations that university entrance examination papers had been leaked, triggering widespread demands for accountability and reforms to India’s examination process.
In a statement posted on X, Pradhan said he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The developments of the past ten days have deeply saddened me,” he wrote.
Pradhan said he had decided to step down to prevent political exploitation of the crisis, preserve national unity and spare students from becoming entangled in lengthy legal disputes, allowing them to focus on their education and future.
Political observers have described the resignation as the first significant concession by Prime Minister Modi’s government in response to the expanding student protest movement, which has become one of the administration’s most serious domestic challenges in recent weeks.
The demonstrations have drawn participation from students, civil society groups and student wings of several political parties. Protesters have organized rallies, sit-ins and marches demanding the education minister’s resignation, a full investigation into the examination scandal and comprehensive reforms to the country’s national testing system.
During the latest demonstrations in New Delhi, security forces reportedly used tear gas and batons to prevent protesters from marching toward the Indian Parliament. Despite the crackdown, thousands of demonstrators have vowed to continue their protests until their demands are addressed.
