LIVE | Pralhad Joshi gets additional charge of education ministry; CJP withdraws protest
CJP requests all protesters to retreat, says govt has promised to provide in writing by Tuesday that no action will be taken against CJP or other protesters
In a huge victory for NEET protesters, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Union education minister on Saturday (July 25), taking moral responsibility for the NEET question paper leak and the subsequent chaos that broke out in the shape of student's protests in Delhi's Jantar Mantar led by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and educationist-activist Sonam Wangchuk, which spread like wildfire across the country.
As the protests intensified, the Union Cabinet approved a draft Bill to ensure stricter punishments — 10 years' jail for paper leaks, fine up to Rs 10 crore — hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement. The draft Bill was approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister at the Parliament House complex on Friday.
Also read: The latest developments LIVE
The Bill seeks an amendment to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 and proposes a minimum punishment of five years' imprisonment for individuals involved in paper leaks and/or a fine. It proposes a jail term of up to 10 years and a maximum fine of Rs 10 crore in case of organised paper leaks.
Dipke, Wangchuk’s message
As Opposition leaders hailed this “victory of youth power”, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke urged people not to make him a hero for Pradhan’s resignation. “Don’t make me a hero because of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The country has been ruined because of making one person a hero...”
Dipke also said Pradhan’s stepping down showed that if people decide against bowing down before the Narendra Modi government, they can take the “resignation of anyone”. He asked people to raise their voice, which he said would keep the rulers “in line”. “Today, they consider themselves as kings while they are there because of us,” Dipke said.
Also read: ‘Don’t make me a hero, country ruined by making one person a hero’: Dipke after Pradhan quits
Later, the CJP held another round of talks with the government over their other two demands, including a compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of students who committed suicide in the wake of the NEET examination paper leak in May and an assurance that no legal measures would be taken against the CJP or any protester. The CJP withdrew its protest with immediate effect "in good faith" after the government agreed to meet all demands. The government has agreed to give it in writing on Tuesday.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving the Centre's written assurances, posted on X: “IT’S A VICTORY OF DEMOCRACY… direct democracy... straight from the streets. It’s a victory of peace, patience and perseverance. Congratulations CJP, Gen Z of the nation and thank you all citizens for shedding fear and the fear of fear and rising up from every corner of the nation. FROM ACCOUNTABILITY, NOW TO REFORMS.”
Follow live updates of CJP's protest in Delhi, here.
Live Updates
- 25 July 2026 8:47 PM IST
Is this the end of the movement, or only the beginning?
Does the withdrawal of the CJP protest mark the end of the movement, or is this only the beginning of a larger fight for accountability and education reforms? Watch this video, in which we examine what led to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, why CJP ended its agitation, and what lies ahead for the movement and the Opposition. - 25 July 2026 8:25 PM IST
Pralhad Joshi given charge of education ministry
Pralhad Joshi to take additional charge of education ministry.
- 25 July 2026 8:14 PM IST
Youth has fought for what is right: CJP
CJP National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka says, “The youth of this country has woken up. It has fought for its rights. It has fought for what is right. And today, finally, our demands have been accepted. We are thinking about all those families who lost their near and dear ones after the paper leaks. We are thinking about those lakhs and crores of students whose futures have been destroyed because of these paper leaks. And we really hope that some justice has been served today. Whoever becomes the next Education Minister, we hope they will do their work with honesty and accountability. We will go across the country and raise other issues, like we raised the issue of education. For the youth of this country, we will do whatever it takes." - 25 July 2026 8:12 PM IST
This is just a trailer: CJP
CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das says, “This is just a trailer. The full picture is yet to come. The youth of the country have awakened. The youth of the country will solve all the problems in this country. As a party, as a movement, this is obviously not ending. Now we will go across the country, listen to the youth, bring the best policies for them, and continue to demand accountability from everyone. This is just the beginning. There is much more to be done...” - 25 July 2026 7:41 PM IST
Left parties hail Pradhan's resignation, say struggle not over
Left leaders on Friday hailed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as a “historic victory” for the student-youth movement.
CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby congratulated students and youth across the country on what he described as a “major victory”, saying Pradhan's resignation was “only the first step”.
“The NTA has to be disbanded, and the anti-student, commercial and communal NEP 2020 has to be rolled back as well,” Baby said in a post on X.
Baby congratulated CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and various student organisations, including the SFI, for remaining steadfast despite threats.
He also welcomed the support extended to the movement by celebrities from sports, arts, cinema and culture, saying the experience had shown that united struggles could succeed.
CPI general secretary D Raja said Pradhan's resignation was achieved through sustained struggle and the students' movement has "defeated the arrogance of the BJP and compelled the Modi-Shah regime to answer for its failures."
He said the movement had highlighted deeper concerns over repeated paper leaks, privatisation, excessive centralisation and the weakening of public education, adding that the struggle would continue for an accessible, inclusive and quality public education system.
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya took a jibe at Pradhan, saying it was the “only sensible thing” the former minister had done.
Tagging Pradhan's post on X, Bhattacharya said the minister had failed to admit that his resignation had been “ordered by the youth of India”.
- 25 July 2026 7:38 PM IST
UN says ‘peaceful protest’ should be allowed without any ‘fear’
The United Nations said on Friday that it was “aware” of the students' demonstrations in New Delhi and that it was important that people wishing to protest peacefully be allowed to do so without any fear of harassment, arrest or injury.
Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, responding to a question on Friday about the UN's position on the youth-led protests in India, said, “We’re obviously very much aware of the protests that we’ve seen in New Delhi. It is important that people wishing to protest peacefully be allowed to do so without the fear of harassment, the fear of arrest, or the fear of injury.”
Addressing a press briefing, he said it was incumbent on security forces, “there as it is everywhere,” to ensure that those rights are protected.
- 25 July 2026 7:19 PM IST
Gen Z, you are the strength of our democracy: Naveen Patnaik
On the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJD president and Odisha LoP Naveen Patnaik says in a video message, “Gen Z, I’m proud of all of you. You are indeed the strength of our democracy.”
- 25 July 2026 7:12 PM IST
Fight between the past and future of India: Rahul
Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, “...I want to thank all the students from the bottom of my heart and whatever support they need from my side, wherever they need support, I am ready. Congress party’s idea with the protest was to support it wholeheartedly. We supported it and we are here to protect the students of India, to protect the future of India. This is a fight between the past, which is Narendra Modi and the RSS and the future of India and we are very confident that the future of India will defeat the past.” - 25 July 2026 7:09 PM IST
Thackerays to celebrate 'youth victory' at Shivaji Park tomorrow
On the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray says, “Tomorrow at Shivaji Park, we will come to celebrate the victory of the youngsters. We’ll fully support the next step of Abhijeet Dipke.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray says, “For the past few days, the country has been restless, and we know why. I want to congratulate Dipke, the youngsters, and their parents. This was not just about a resignation. The government has been putting the people of the country under pressure...Just because you are in power does not mean you can act this way...Union Home Minister Amit Shah should clarify whether the complaints against the youngsters will be withdrawn...Tomorrow’s march will go ahead. It is an important step. Many people have expressed their willingness to participate. Tomorrow, we will show the strength of Yuva Shakti.”
- 25 July 2026 6:50 PM IST
Entry gates opened across all Delhi Metro stations, confirms DMRC
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has announced that the entry gates across all stations on the Delhi Metro network are now open.
