The political fallout from the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan continued on Saturday, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi even as opposition parties hailed the resignation as a victory for protesting students and democratic accountability.

According to sources, Shah met Prime Minister Modi following Pradhan’s resignation. Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, who have been holding discussions with protesting students over the past week, are also scheduled to meet the Home Minister to review the situation and discuss the way forward.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders welcomed Pradhan’s resignation, crediting sustained student protests and public pressure for the development.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated students and opposition parties, saying the resignation reflected the power of democratic protest. He said the voices of India’s students had ultimately defeated what he described as an “arrogant government.”

Kharge stated that young people had taken to the streets to demand a stronger and more transparent education system, calling the resignation “a victory of truth” and “a defeat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stubbornness.” He further alleged that the government had used force against student protesters and demanded that the Prime Minister apologise to the students.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Pradhan’s resignation demonstrated that the Modi-Shah leadership was “not invincible” and that public pressure could compel accountability.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the resignation as proof that accountability cannot be avoided indefinitely in a democracy. He said the decision came after weeks of peaceful and determined protests by students, parents and citizens across the country.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav called the resignation a significant victory for India’s youth. However, he stressed that all political parties should learn from the episode by strengthening the integrity of competitive examinations and creating greater employment opportunities for young people.

The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan has intensified the political debate over examination reforms, transparency in recruitment processes and the government’s handling of student concerns, with both the ruling alliance and the opposition presenting contrasting narratives over the development.

A day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed his decision, describing it as an example of dedication, accountability and commitment to the nation’s youth.

In a post on social media, Shah said that for a BJP worker, the nation always comes before any position. He stated that Pradhan’s resignation reflected the party’s commitment to placing the interests of students and young people above political office.

Referring to the recent controversy over the NEET examination, Shah said the Narendra Modi-led government remains firmly committed to respecting the aspirations of the country’s youth, taking stringent action against paper leaks and introducing necessary reforms in the examination system. He expressed confidence that the measures taken by the government would ensure justice for deserving students who cleared the NEET examination on merit.

The Home Minister also highlighted Pradhan’s achievements during his tenure as Education Minister, including the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, expansion of examinations in regional languages, strengthening of PM SHRI schools and promotion of digital education. Shah said Pradhan’s dedication and sacrifice had further strengthened India’s resolve to become a developed nation.

Meanwhile, Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj also shared an emotional message on social media following Pradhan’s resignation.

Suraj said Pradhan’s decision had deeply moved those who had closely witnessed his political journey and drawn inspiration from his leadership. He remarked that Pradhan had never shied away from responsibility and had chosen accountability over excuses, even though he was not personally responsible for the circumstances that led to the controversy.

According to Suraj, Pradhan placed the future of students above his ministerial position and worked sincerely to ensure action against those responsible for irregularities, restore the credibility of the examination process and rebuild the trust of NEET aspirants and their parents.

The Odisha minister further said that Pradhan’s contribution to the nation could not be overshadowed by a single controversy. He credited Pradhan for transformative initiatives ranging from the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which improved the lives of millions of women, to his leadership in implementing the landmark National Education Policy 2020.

Suraj concluded that the country would continue to remember Pradhan’s contributions to governance, education reforms and nation-building.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from his post, submitting his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pradhan announced his decision through a social media post, stating that his commitment to students, teachers, and educational reforms has remained unwavering for over four decades.

In his statement, Pradhan said he has always believed that a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking education system forms the foundation of a strong nation. He emphasized that respecting the aspirations, emotions, and legitimate expectations of India’s youth is a moral responsibility for every public representative.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation, Pradhan thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership and trust throughout his tenure.

NEET-UG Controversy and Resignation

Pradhan’s resignation comes in the wake of the NEET-UG 2026 examination controversy, after irregularities were detected in the medical entrance examination held on May 3, 2026. Following the allegations, the Government of India handed over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and cancelled the examination. A fresh examination was subsequently conducted on June 21, 2026, with enhanced security measures and the cooperation of the Centre, state governments, district administrations, students, and parents.

The government also announced that NEET-UG will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year to improve transparency and prevent malpractice.

In his resignation note, Pradhan said he accepted responsibility for the situation from the very beginning and never attempted to evade accountability.

“I was determined that no deserving student’s future would be destroyed by examination mafias. We would not allow injustice to be done to any student,” he wrote.

Focus on Students’ Future

Pradhan noted that the results of the re-conducted NEET-UG examination, declared on July 16, were satisfactory and reflected the success of many meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds.

He reiterated his faith in democracy and stressed that India’s youth represent the country’s future, describing them as the builders of a developed India. He appealed to students not to fall victim to misinformation or conspiracies and urged them to remain focused on their education and careers.

He also expressed concern over the protests that emerged across the country, including demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, saying that anti-national forces should not be allowed to exploit the situation. According to him, protecting the unity of the nation and safeguarding the future of every student must remain the highest priority.

Gratitude and Commitment to Public Service

Pradhan thanked his Cabinet colleagues, officials, and employees of the Ministry of Education for their support during his tenure. He reaffirmed that service to the nation would remain the highest priority of his life.

Seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath, Pradhan said he would continue dedicating himself to serving India, the people of Odisha, and the aspirations of the country’s youth in the years ahead.