Dharmendra Pradhan's exit: A rare resignation of a sitting minister in Modi government| Editorial
PTC News Desk: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation holds significant reverence as it marks only the second instance in the PM Modi-led NDA government when a sitting minister has quit his post in face of public outcry and demand.
Soon after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation's news surfaced, jubilation broke out at the Jantar Mantar, where social activist Sonam Wangchuk began his hunger strike earlier this month, triggering widespread demand.
Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Education Minister amid students protest over NEET irregularities
Announcing his decision on X, Pradhan reflected on his four-decade commitment to education, saying he has always believed a strong and inclusive education system forms the foundation of a strong nation. He thanked the Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve under his leadership.
pic.twitter.com/VSArqS98OJ — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 25, 2026
Pradhan announced his resignation against the backdrop of nationwide protest demanding that he may step down and hold responsibility for irregularities in India's higher education system.
"Considering the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country—with the aim of preventing anti-national forces from exploiting it, preserving national unity, ensuring that not a single Indian student's future gets entangled in legal complexities, and allowing our children to devote their time to studies and focus on building their careers—I have submitted my resignation to the Honorable Prime Minister," he wrote in a letter posted on X.
Second resignation in Modi-cabinet
This is the second incident involving the resignation of a sitting minister at the behest of public outcry and demand. One has to rewind the clock all the way to 2018, when MJ Akbar stepped down from his post as Union Minister of State for External Affairs in 2018 over allegations of sexual misconduct.
Akbar, who had been the junior minister of state for external affairs since 2016, was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women amid a growing #MeToo movement in the country. Most of these women had worked or interacted with him when he was the editor of several leading newspapers.
In his resignation, Akbar said, "Since I have decided to seek justice in a court of law in my personal capacity, I deem it appropriate to step down from office and challenge false allegations levied against me, also in a personal capacity."
Dharmendra Pradhan's early political career
Pradhan began his electoral career in 2000, when he was elected as an MLA from Pallahara in Odisha. In 2004, he entered national politics by winning the Deogarh Lok Sabha seat, which he represented until the constituency was dissolved in 2009.
From 2004 to 2006, he served as the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the BJP's youth wing. He also held several key organisational posts in the BJP, including National Secretary and All India General Secretary.
Dharmendra Pradhan is a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader who served as India's Education Minister from 2021 to 2026. Over the years, he has held several important Cabinet positions, including:
Ministerial Career
In 2014, Pradhan became the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas. He was elevated to Cabinet Minister in 2017.
During his tenure, he oversaw several major initiatives, including:
Pradhan is regarded as one of the BJP's prominent leaders and has held several key portfolios during his political career.
- PTC NEWS
