Blitz India Business
NEW DELHI: Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25 tendered his resignation as the education minister amid the paper leak protests across the nation.
Submitting his resignation, Pradhan reaffirmed his commitment to youth and education while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support, framing it as a response to protect exam integrity and students’ future.
This comes amid the nationwide protests demanding strict action against the paper leaks and exam irregularities, and Education Minister Pradhan’s resignation citing accountability.
In his letter, Pradhan said, “For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation.”
“I deeply respect the aspirations, sentiments, and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth. Realising the dreams of India’s young generation has been a moral commitment in our political and social lives. I express my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership,” he said.
He said that as soon as the irregularities regarding the NEET-UG examination came to light, the government, taking immediate cognisance of the matter, handed the investigation over to the CBI, cancelled the exam, and announced a date for a re-examination. Additionally, he said that a decision was made to conduct this exam in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode starting next year.
“Throughout this period, our primary priority was to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination for over 20 lakh students. We worked towards this using a ‘whole-of-government’ approach, in which state governments — and particularly district administrations — played a crucial role alongside the Government of India.”
