India's Education Minister Resigns Amid Protests Over NEET Exam Leaks
India’s education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, resigned on July 25, 2026, following sustained protests by youth activists demanding accountability for the leak of a high-stakes medical entrance exam. The resignation marked a significant victory for protesters who had gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and faced police crackdowns earlier that day. The NEET-UG 2026 paper leak affected over two million students, leading to canceled results and a retest ordered by the government. Protests began in June but intensified after clashes between demonstrators and police on July 23 left dozens injured. The movement was led by youth groups like the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which criticized corruption and demanded greater transparency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced one of his biggest political challenges as opposition leaders joined the protests, disrupting parliament. Pradhan’s resignation came amid heightened tensions and internet restrictions in New Delhi aimed at curbing further unrest.
