Indian education minister resigns in major win for youth protesters

India's education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, handing a major victory to youth protesters who had demanded he quit over examination paper leaks.

Protesters at the Jantar Mantar site in New Delhi erupted in celebration on news of his departure.

Why did India's education minister resign?

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned to prevent "anti-national forces" from exploiting the unrest at Jantar Mantar and across the country, he said in his resignation letter.

A man holds a poster as he participates in a demonstration held in solidarity with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, which demand the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks, in Kolkata, India, July 24, 2026. Reuters

The move came after weeks of youth-led protests demanding accountability over leaked question papers for high-stakes entrance exams. It marked one of the biggest political challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent years.

What did Dharmendra Pradhan say in his resignation?

"Considering the situation that has arisen at Jantar Mantar (protest site) and across the country, so that anti-national forces do not take advantage of this situation... I have sent my resignation letter to the Prime Minister," Pradhan wrote in his post on X. He added, "I deeply respect the aspirations, feelings, and legitimate expectations of the country's youth."

The minister announced his resignation just as police fired tear gas to scatter young protesters in New Delhi, hours before protest leaders were set to hold another round of talks with ministers.

How did protesters react to the resignation?

"We have done it," said Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party that led the protests, to loud cheers at the Jantar Mantar site. Youngsters at the site shouted "Jai Hind", a patriotic slogan meaning "Victory to India."

Supporters of India's Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) attend the ongoing protest, days after thousands of protesters marched towards parliament demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination paper leaks, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, India July 25, 2026.Reuters

India's biggest street protests of recent years had become a political flashpoint, with politicians joining youngsters' calls to demand action.

What sparked India's youth-led protests?

Thousands of supporters of the youth-led "cockroach" movement had been protesting since June over discontent tied to job scarcity, corruption and government accountability.

Anger boiled over after police injured dozens of students on Monday, launching baton charges and firing tear gas to deter crowds marching on parliament. The protests were led largely by young people and triggered by anger over the exam paper leaks.

Supporters of India's Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) shout slogans during the ongoing protest, days after thousands of protesters marched towards parliament demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination paper leaks, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, July 25, 2026. Reuters

How did authorities respond to the protests?

Federal authorities restricted access to the internet and to 18 metro stations on Saturday in an attempt to limit the protests in the capital. It was the latest day such restrictions had been imposed as the demonstrations intensified.