NEW DELHI, 25 July. - (ANA) - India's Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation on Saturday hands a major victory to youth protesters nationwide who demanded that he quit to take responsibility for exam-paper leaks.

 

Pradhan announced the decision in a post on X, handing a major victory to the “Cockroach” movement, which has spearheaded nationwide demonstrations, sit-ins and hunger strikes. His resignation also marks the first significant concession by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to one of the most visible waves of public dissent it has faced in recent years.

 

The movement began more than a month ago after allegations of leaks in some of India’s biggest entrance exams. It started as a call for education reforms but has grown into a broader protest over unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunities. Students, professionals, families and activists have joined rallies in New Delhi and other cities across India.

 

India's biggest street protests of recent years had become a political flashpoint, posing one of the biggest challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as opposition politicians joined youngsters' call to demand action and disrupted parliament.

 

News of Pradhan’s resignation sparked celebrations among the thousands of protesters who have camped at New Delhi’s protest site for more than a month. Many embraced each other and waved the Indian flag.

 

Prachi Kumar, a corporate employee who joined the protests, said Pradhan’s resignation was necessary to restore accountability in the education system.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/25 July 2026 - - -