India’s education minister resigns after youth protests over exam leaks

India’s education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, resigned on Saturday after weeks of youth-led protests demanding accountability for exam paper leaks, marking a significant moment in the country’s political landscape. The resignation followed sustained demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a movement that emerged in response to the May 2026 leak of the NEET UG medical entrance exam, which affected two million students and led to the cancellation of results and a retest.

The protests, which began in June, escalated after police used tear gas and batons to disperse students marching toward Parliament on Monday, injuring dozens. The crackdown intensified public anger and drew support from opposition leaders and activists. Pradhan, a senior BJP member and education minister since 2021, announced his resignation in a post on X, citing concerns over “anti-national forces” exploiting the unrest and a desire to “prevent the country’s youth from being caught in confusion.”

“We have done it,” declared Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the CJP, at the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi, where thousands of supporters celebrated. The movement, which had demanded Pradhan’s resignation, compensation for families of students who died by suicide over exam leaks, and immunity from legal action for protesters, claimed its core demands were met. A CJP spokesperson stated the group would “peacefully withdraw” after the government accepted all terms.

The resignation came amid a broader wave of discontent. The NEET UG exam leak in May, which affected two million students, had sparked initial outrage. However, the protests evolved to address systemic issues, including job scarcity, corruption, and government accountability. Opposition leaders, including Congress party’s Rahul Gandhi, praised the outcome but called for Modi to apologize for the use of force against protesters.

Pradhan’s exit is the second ministerial resignation since Modi’s 2014 ascent, following M.J. Akbar’s 2018 departure over sexual harassment allegations. His tenure, marked by roles in petroleum, steel, and education, had positioned him as a rising BJP figure. Yet, his resignation underscored the growing influence of youth activism, with CJP leaders emphasizing their movement’s role in holding power to account.

Celebrations erupted across India, with protesters chanting “Jai Hind” and distributing sweets. In Kerala, Chief Minister V D Satheesan hailed the resignation as a “historic victory” for youth resistance, while opposition leaders framed it as a rebuke to government overreach. The CJP, however, warned that their fight was not over, vowing to continue advocating for education reforms and justice for those affected by exam leaks.

The protests also highlighted the government’s struggle to manage dissent. Authorities had restricted internet access and closed metro stations in New Delhi, but the movement’s persistence forced a rare concession. For Modi, the episode posed a challenge to his administration’s narrative of stability, as youth voices reshaped the political discourse.

As the CJP declared “Democracy wins,” the resignation left unanswered questions about the long-term impact of the movement. While Pradhan’s exit was a symbolic triumph, critics argued that deeper reforms were needed to address the systemic issues fueling youth frustration. For now, the protests had proven that even in a political climate dominated by the BJP, public pressure could alter the course of events.