India’s Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has resigned from office following days of escalating youth-led protests over alleged irregularities and leaks surrounding major examinations.

The resignation came on Saturday, July 25, 2026, as demonstrations organised by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) intensified across the country, with protesters demanding accountability and sweeping reforms in India’s education system.

Pradhan confirmed his resignation in a statement posted on X, saying he had forwarded his resignation letter to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

“I have sent my resignation letter to the Prime Minister,” he said.

The protests, led by the CJP, began in response to alleged examination paper leaks and irregularities affecting students sitting for potentially life-changing tests. The agitation, which was initially concentrated at the Jantar Mantar protest site in central New Delhi, later spread to other parts of the country.

The demonstrations escalated during the week as protesters demanded Pradhan’s removal from office. Police used tear gas and batons when some demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament.

The Government held two rounds of discussions with CJP leaders on Monday and Friday, but the talks failed to resolve the protesters’ demands. A third round of discussions had been scheduled for Saturday before Pradhan announced his resignation.

In his resignation letter, Pradhan said he was pained by the events of the previous 10 days, adding that the decision was not about personal prestige.

“I am pained to see the events of the past 10 days. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me,” he said.

He added, “India’s youth power is the real strength of this nation. My resolve is that we will not let the country’s youth get trapped in a vicious cycle of confusion.”

The announcement was greeted with jubilation by protesters, with CJP founder, Abhijeet Dipke, telling hundreds of demonstrators, “We have done it.”

Although the protests were triggered by concerns over examination irregularities, the movement has expanded to include wider issues such as unemployment, limited opportunities for young people and criticism of what opponents describe as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s increasingly authoritarian style of governance.

The demonstrations have emerged as one of the biggest challenges to Modi’s Hindu nationalist administration since his re-election in 2024.

According to CJP spokesman, Ashutosh Ranka, the protesters are also demanding compensation for people affected by examination irregularities and the withdrawal of legal cases filed against protesters.

The protests were held in several parts of India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Patna, as the youth-led movement continued to press for reforms in the country’s education system.