Dharmendra Pradhan resigns after NEET protests: What was the medical entrance exam controversy all about?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday announced his resignation, conceding to one of the key demands of nationwide youth protests that sought to hold him accountable for the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.

His resignation follows weeks of demonstrations that organisers described as one of the largest youth-led protest movements in recent years. Protesters demanded greater accountability in the education system, strict action against those responsible for the alleged examination irregularities, and Pradhan's resignation.

NEET-UG is India's sole entrance examination for undergraduate medical admissions. Each year, millions of students compete for fewer than 1.5 lakh MBBS and other medical seats, making it one of the country's most competitive entrance exams.



Also read: Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns: Education Minister sends resignation letter to PM Modi amid CJP protests due to NEET paper leak

What led to protests?

The immediate trigger for the demonstrations was the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India's undergraduate medical school entrance exam, after its question papers were found to have been leaked.


Also read: Key highlights of CJP Protest in Delhi

The NEET-UG 2026 examination was conducted on May 3 across India and selected international centres, with more than 24 lakh candidates appearing for the country's largest medical entrance test for MBBS, BDS and allied undergraduate medical courses. However, the exam was later cancelled, with reports linking around a dozen student suicides to the decision. A fresh examination was conducted in June.

What was the NEET-UG paper leak controversy?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) said the examination was held under extensive security measures, including GPS-tracked transportation of question papers, biometric verification of candidates, AI-assisted CCTV surveillance, and the deployment of 5G jammers at examination centres. Officials initially maintained that the exam was conducted smoothly without any major disruption.

However, within days, allegations surfaced that portions of the question paper had circulated before the examination, triggering a wider investigation into possible irregularities.

The controversy centres on the alleged circulation of a "guess paper" containing more than 400 questions before the exam. Officials described the material as a "guess paper" but said they have not ruled out the possibility of an organised paper leak or a larger malpractice network.

One senior official said the document contained around 410 questions, of which nearly 120 allegedly appeared in the Chemistry section of the examination. Investigators also claimed that roughly one-fourth of the circulated material matched the actual question paper, raising concerns over the integrity of the exam.

How did the alleged NEET paper leak spread?

According to a Times of India report, investigators believe the material moved through a multi-state network involving coaching centres and intermediaries.

Preliminary findings suggest the question bank may have originated from a medical student from Churu, Rajasthan, who was studying in Kerala, before allegedly being sent to an associate in Sikar on May 1. Investigators believe the material then spread through a Paying Guest (PG) accommodation network and was further circulated by coaching operators and intermediaries. Authorities are also probing claims that the document was sold for as much as Rs 5 lakh two days before the examination and for around Rs 30,000 on the eve of the test. They have also recovered digital evidence marked "Forwarded many times," indicating that the material had been widely shared across messaging platforms before the exam.

A timeline of events leading to Pradhan's resignation

• May 3, 2026 – Examination ConductedAround 22 lakh candidates appeared for the nationwide NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance test. Allegations of a question paper leak surfaced shortly after the exam concluded, triggering widespread demands from students and parents for an official inquiry.
• May 12, 2026 – Exam Cancelled and CBI Probe OrderedAcknowledging allegations of procedural compromises, the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the exam. The Central Government transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and announced a nationwide re-examination under heightened security.
• Mid-May to June 2026 – Nationwide Student UnrestProtests erupted across major cities, including Delhi. Student groups demanded structural reforms, accountability, and transparency, turning the paper leak issue into a broader critique of the national competitive examination system.
• June 21, 2026 – Re-Examination Under High SecurityThe NTA conducted a nationwide re-test under stringent security measures, including the deployment of Indian Air Force aircraft to transport question papers. Officials described it as one of the most secure entrance exams ever held in the country.
• June 28, 2026 – Sonam Wangchuk Begins Hunger StrikeActivist Sonam Wangchuk launched an indefinite fast at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding institutional accountability for the paper leak and comprehensive exam reforms. Various student organisations and civil society groups joined the fast in solidarity.
• Early July 2026 – Protests Intensify NationallyAs Wangchuk’s health deteriorated, the movement gained significant momentum across social media and physical demonstration sites. High-profile political leaders and student union delegates visited Jantar Mantar to extend support.
• July 16, 2026 – Judicial Intervention & Re-Exam Results
  • Judicial Order: The Delhi High Court directed authorities to provide immediate medical attention to Sonam Wangchuk while respecting legal protocols.
  • Result Declaration: The NTA released the re-examination results. Fresh protests broke out as candidates flagged evaluation discrepancies and questioned the evaluation methodology.
• July 18, 2026 – Wangchuk HospitalisedCiting severe health deterioration, Delhi Police transferred Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar to Medanta Hospital. Demonstrations persisted despite his removal from the primary protest site.
• July 20, 2026 – 'Sansad Chalo' March and ClashesThousands of student protesters gathered in the capital for a march toward Parliament. Police deployed barricades to halt the demonstration, leading to physical clashes and multiple detentions.
• July 23, 2026 – Government Announces ReformsPrime Minister Narendra Modi announced key measures to curb examination breaches, including:
  • Fast-track courts dedicated to paper-leak cases.
  • Proposals for stronger anti-paper-leak legislation.
  • Punitive action against officials guilty of negligence or misconduct.
  Student representatives maintained that protests would continue until fundamental structural reforms were fully implemented.
• July 24, 2026 – Hunger Strike ConcludesSonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day fast following high-level discussions with Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh. While dialogue between protest leaders and the government opened, student groups affirmed their commitment to monitoring further policy changes.

• July 25: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns ahead of talks between CJP representatives and Centre