New Delhi, July 25: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday announced his resignation, saying he was deeply pained by the developments of the past 10 days and wanted to ensure that anti-national forces did not exploit the situation arising from the controversy over examination irregularities.

Submitting his resignation, Pradhan reaffirmed his commitment to youth and education while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support, framing it as a response to protect exam integrity and students’ future.

This comes amid nationwide protests demanding strict action against the paper leaks and exam irregularities, and Education Minister Pradhan’s resignation citing accountability.

In his letter, Pradhan said, “For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation.”

“I deeply respect the aspirations, sentiments, and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth. Realising the dreams of India’s young generation has been a moral commitment in our political and social lives. I express my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership,” he said.

He said that as soon as the irregularities regarding the NEET-UG examination came to light, the government, taking immediate cognisance of the matter, handed the investigation over to the CBI, cancelled the exam, and announced a date for a re-examination. Additionally, he said that a decision was made to conduct this exam in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode starting next year.

“Throughout this period, our primary priority was to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination for over 20 lakh students. We worked towards this using a ‘whole-of-government’ approach, in which state governments — and particularly district administrations — played a crucial role alongside the Government of India. With the cooperation of students and parents, the examination was successfully concluded on June 21, 2026,” Pradhan said.

“From day one, I took responsibility for the situation and never turned away from it. I was determined not to let the potential of any meritorious student be ruined by the ‘exam mafia’ and to ensure that no student faced injustice,” he added.

He said that during the re-examination results, “individuals holding responsible positions attempted to create obstacles and mislead students”, an act, he said, caused him “deep distress”.

“I have always held unwavering faith in the strength of our democracy and deeply respected the aspirations, dreams, and expectations of the youth. They are not merely India’s future; they are the torchbearers, builders, and architects of a new and developed India. I am pained by the events of the past ten days. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me,” he added.

“Considering the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country — to prevent 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 Honourable Prime Minister,” Pradhan said.

He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for his “guidance, trust, and constant support” and to the Council of Ministers.

“Service to the nation is the highest priority of my life; I shall remain forever dedicated to it. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I will continue to dedicate myself in every possible way to fulfilling the aspirations of Mother India, the people of Odisha, and the youth of the country in the future as well,” he added.

New Delhi, July 25: Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday tendered his resignation as the Union Education Minister amid the paper leak protests across the nation.

Submitting his resignation, Pradhan reaffirmed his commitment to youth and education while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support, framing it as a response to protect exam integrity and students’ future.

This comes amid the nationwide protests demanding strict action against the paper leaks and exam irregularities, and Education Minister Pradhan’s resignation citing accountability.

In his letter, Pradhan said, “For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation.”

“I deeply respect the aspirations, sentiments, and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth. Realising the dreams of India’s young generation has been a moral commitment in our political and social lives. I express my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership,” he said.

He said that as soon as the irregularities regarding the NEET-UG examination came to light, the government, taking immediate cognisance of the matter, handed the investigation over to the CBI, cancelled the exam, and announced a date for a re-examination. Additionally, he said that a decision was made to conduct this exam in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode starting next year.

“Throughout this period, our primary priority was to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination for over 20 lakh students. We worked towards this using a ‘whole-of-government’ approach, in which state governments — and particularly district administrations — played a crucial role alongside the Government of India. With the cooperation of students and parents, the examination was successfully concluded on June 21, 2026,” Pradhan said.

“From day one, I took responsibility for the situation and never turned away from it. I was determined not to let the potential of any meritorious student be ruined by the ‘exam mafia’ and to ensure that no student faced injustice,” he added.

He said that during the re-examination results, “individuals holding responsible positions attempted to create obstacles and mislead students”, an act, he said, caused him “deep distress”.

“I have always held unwavering faith in the strength of our democracy and deeply respected the aspirations, dreams, and expectations of the youth. They are not merely India’s future; they are the torchbearers, builders, and architects of a new and developed India. I am pained by the events of the past ten days. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me,” he added.

“Considering the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country — to prevent 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 Honourable Prime Minister,” Pradhan said.

He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for his “guidance, trust, and constant support” and to the Council of Ministers.

“Service to the nation is the highest priority of my life; I shall remain forever dedicated to it. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I will continue to dedicate myself in every possible way to fulfilling the aspirations of Mother India, the people of Odisha, and the youth of the country in the future as well,” he added.

Imphal, July 25: A 56-year-old woman was arrested by the Manipur Police in Churachandpur district for allegedly routing a huge amount of money to suspected beneficiaries of the illegal drug trade in Myanmar, officials said on Saturday.

In a separate development, Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Singh, accompanied by the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), visited the India-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district and reviewed security preparedness, policing and inter-agency coordination.

A senior police official said that, in continuation of the investigation into an FIR registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, at Churachandpur police station, police arrested the woman, identified as Zenngaihniang (56), a resident of New Lamka in Churachandpur district. An amount of over Rs 28.78 lakh, suspected to be proceeds of drug-related crime, was recovered from her possession.

“The arrestee is involved in sending huge amounts of money to suspected beneficiaries of the drug trade in Myanmar. Five cash registers and a cash-counting machine were also recovered from her possession,” the official said.

The mountainous Churachandpur district shares an inter-state border with Mizoram and an unfenced international border with Myanmar.

Meanwhile, in separate operations, the security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from Imphal West district. The recovered items included 12 pistols with magazines, four rifles, two modified .303 rifles, four bolt-action single-barrel guns, four hand grenades, including one of Chinese origin, three detonators, assorted live rounds and empty cases, 15 barrel cartridges, magazines, military fatigues, bulletproof jackets, magazine pouches and wireless communication sets.

The security forces also arrested an active cadre of the banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) militant outfit from Wangoo Sandangkhong area in Kakching district. The arrested militant was identified as Moirangthem Gandhi alias Loingamba Singh (19).

The police official said that DGP Mukesh Singh, during his visit to Tengnoupal district along the India-Myanmar border, reviewed the overall security preparedness, policing arrangements and inter-agency coordination.

At the Tengnoupal District Police Office, the DGP reviewed the prevailing security situation and policing arrangements in the strategically important border district.

According to the police official, while interacting with officers of the district police, Singh stressed the need for sustained operations against anti-national elements, effective investigation of criminal cases, intensified anti-drug measures, recovery of illegal arms and ammunition, and close coordination among all security agencies to ensure peace and security in the border district.

During his visit to Moreh town, the DGP interacted with representatives of various communities, including the Tamil, Kuki, Nepali and Meitei Pangal communities, as well as members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). People belonging to the Tamil, Nepali, Kuki and Meitei Pangal (Muslim) communities have been residing in the border town of Moreh for several decades.

The DGP also held interaction sessions with Commandants of Assam Rifles battalions, along with officers of the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police Commandos. During the meeting, he reviewed the prevailing security scenario, operational preparedness, border management and inter-agency coordination, while emphasising the importance of continued synergy among all security forces deployed in the sensitive border region.

Singh further visited Gate No. 1 and Gate No. 2 at Moreh to review the security arrangements and deployment at the international border crossing.

Moreh is an important border town and an international trading hub located on the India-Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district, around 110 km from the Manipur capital, Imphal. On his return journey, the Manipur Police chief visited Kwatha village, where he interacted with Meitei villagers as well as officers and personnel of the district police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Assam Rifles deployed in the area.

“The visit reaffirmed the commitment of the Manipur Police and all security agencies towards strengthening border security, enhancing inter-agency coordination and ensuring lasting peace and public safety,” the police official said.