Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns, Accepts Moral Responsibility in NEET Paper Leak Case; Shares Open Letter to Students on X

New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister, accepting moral responsibility for the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG examination. He announced his decision through an emotional open letter addressed to students, which he shared on social media platform X.

In his letter, Dharmendra Pradhan stated that he has devoted more than four decades of his life to students, teachers, and educational reforms. He wrote that respecting the aspirations, dreams, and legitimate expectations of India’s youth has always been his moral commitment, and maintaining transparency and public trust in the education system remains his highest priority.

He acknowledged that the developments related to the NEET-UG examination had deeply affected the confidence of students and parents across the country. Although the government immediately ordered a CBI investigation, initiated corrective measures, and decided to introduce a Computer-Based Test (CBT) system for future examinations, he said that as the Union Education Minister, he could not distance himself from his moral responsibility.

Pradhan emphasized that his resignation was not a matter of personal prestige, but a reflection of his commitment to democratic accountability and the future of millions of students. He said that India’s youth are the nation’s greatest strength and that no deserving student’s future should be jeopardized by controversies or legal complications.

Appealing directly to students, he urged them to remain focused on their studies and careers and not be influenced by rumors or misinformation. He expressed confidence that the government would continue implementing reforms to make the examination system more transparent, fair, and credible.

Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan said it had been an honor to serve the nation. He also thanked his Cabinet colleagues, ministry officials, employees, and everyone associated with the education sector for their support and cooperation.

Concluding his message, he affirmed that even after stepping down from public office, he would continue working for the welfare of the nation, the people of Odisha, and the aspirations of India’s youth, describing national service as the highest mission of his life.

Note: This news report has been prepared solely on the basis of the contents of the letter shared by the user. The statements regarding the resignation and related claims are presented as described in that letter and have not been independently verified.