New Delhi, Jul 25: Union Minister Prahlad Joshi has been appointed as Education Minister following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation from the post on Saturday.

Joshi has been given additional charge of the Education Ministry besides his role as Consumer Affairs Minister.

A Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said the President, as advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has accepted the resignation of Pradhan with immediate effect.

It said that on the advice of the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his own duties.

Earlier in the day, Pradhan resigned from his post following the Cockroach Janta Party-led student protests across the country, demanding his ouster over the NEET paper leak controversy.

Pradhan said it is not a matter of “individual prestige” for him and he is disturbed to see the series of events that have unfolded in the last 10 days.

New Delhi, Jul 25: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday withdrew its agitation over the NEET issue after the government accepted all demands of the outfit, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and withdrawal of FIRs against protesters.

The announcement came following talks between the two sides soon after Pradhan said on X that he has sent his resignation to the prime minister.

Union Minister JP Nadda said the government will give “honourable compensation” within rules to the families of the students who committed suicide after the NEET test cancellation and ensure withdrawal of all FIRs registered against the protesters.

“As the government accepted all our demands, we call off our protests with immediate effect. We appeal everyone to go back home peacefully,” CJP’s spokesperson Saurav Das said at a joint press conference with Nadda and Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

The CJP has led a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding accountability over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and irregularities in the CBSE’s on-screen marking process, besides seeking wider reforms in the conduct of public examinations.

The agitation has galvanised thousands of students in protests across the country and has been supported by major opposition parties.

New Delhi, Jul 25: A bill to amend The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which proposes to increase jail term up to 10 years and fine up to Rs 10 crore for offences related to paper leaks, is likely to be introduced in Parliament on Monday.

According to the Bill circulated to members ahead of its introduction, individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means in exams will get jail terms for a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years, and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.

For organised crimes, the bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore.

All investigations will have to be completed within two months, it says.

All states and UTs will be directed to set up fast-track courts, which will conduct hearings swiftly and complete the trial within three months of filing of the chargesheet.

New Delhi, July 25: Amid massive students protests in Delhi, the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday announced his resignation, stating that the interests of India’s youth and students must remain above politics. 

In a detailed public letter, Pradhan said he was stepping down not because of personal prestige, but to uphold accountability and protect the future of millions of students.

Pradhan expressed unwavering faith in the strength, aspirations and potential of India’s youth, describing them as the architects of a new, developed and self-reliant India. He said that while the developments of the past few days had caused him deep pain, his decision was guided by the larger national interest rather than personal considerations.

Emphasising that the country’s youth are its greatest strength, Pradhan said he was determined to ensure that they do not become victims of political conflict. He appealed that anti-national forces should not be allowed to exploit the prevailing situation and stressed that students’ futures must not be sacrificed for political gains.

The former minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance, trust and continuous support during his tenure. He also expressed gratitude to his Cabinet colleagues, ministry officials, employees and everyone who worked alongside him, reiterating that service to the nation would remain his highest priority. (KNC)