Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns as Union Education Minister (25th July, 2026)

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on 25th July, 2026 and submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination. In his resignation letter, he stated that he was deeply pained by the events of the previous ten days and emphasized that it was not a matter of personal prestige. He said his decision was intended to prevent the issue from being exploited politically, preserve national unity, and ensure that students’ futures were not affected by prolonged legal or political controversies. As per constitutional procedure, the Union Council of Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. If any Union Minister wishes to resign from the Union Council of Minister, he/she addresses his/her resignation to the President.

Why was his resignation demanded?

The demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation arose primarily due to the NEET-UG 2026 examination controversy.

Following allegations of examination irregularities and paper leaks, students across India launched large-scale protests demanding accountability. Protesters alleged failures in maintaining the integrity of one of India’s largest entrance examinations and argued that the Education Ministry should accept moral responsibility.

According to Dharmendra Pradhan -

● The alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2026 were handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation.

● The examination was cancelled.

● A fresh examination was announced.

● From the next year onwards, NEET-UG will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode to enhance transparency and reduce the possibility of paper leaks.

About Dharmendra Pradhan -

● Full Name: Dharmendra Pradhan

● Political Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

● State: Odisha

● Present Parliamentary Position: Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Sambalpur, Odisha, elected in the 2024 General Elections.

● He has previously served as: -

Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas -

Union Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship

He has also been a Rajya Sabha Member from Bihar and Madhya Pradesh during different terms before entering the Lok Sabha.

Constitutional Position of Union Education Minister -

The Union Education Minister is a member of the Union Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

Article 74 - Provides that there shall be a Union Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at its head to aid and advise the President.

Article 75 -

● Union Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

● Tenure of a Union Minister is five years but not fixed.

● Constitutionally Union Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, (but in fact holds office during the pleasure of the Prime Minister).

● The Union Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Procedure for Resignation of a Union Minister -

● If any Union Council of Ministers wants to resign he can submit his resignation to the President.

● If the Prime Minister is not satisfied with the working of any Union Council of Ministers he can direct the minister to resign from his post.

● And if he refuses to tender his resignation to the President then the Prime Minister can advise the President to dismiss him from the Union Council of Ministers.

Relevant Constitutional Articles -

● Article 74 – Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President.

● Article 75(1) – Appointment of Ministers by the President.

● Article 75(2) – Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President.

● Article 75(3) – Collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha.

Doctrine of Collective Responsibility - Under Article 75(3), the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means:

● All Ministers are equally responsible for the success and failure of the government.

● Cabinet decisions are binding on every Minister.

● Individual Ministers may resign on grounds of political or moral responsibility, even though the Constitution does not expressly require such resignation.

● The resignation of the Prime Minister means the resignation of the whole Union Council of Ministers.