Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation on July 25, 2026 [5].

The resignation follows 49 days of nationwide student protests [1] over paper leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). This political shift occurs as the government seeks to restore public trust in the national examination system through more aggressive legal deterrents.

To address the crisis, the government will table the Public Examination Prevention of Unfair Means Amendment Bill 2026 in Parliament on Monday, July 30, 2026 [6]. The proposed legislation aims to significantly increase the penalties for those involved in leaking exam papers.

Under the new amendment, the maximum imprisonment for using unfair means will increase to 10 years [2]. This is a substantial rise from the 2024 Act, which set the maximum prison term at five years [3]. Additionally, the 2026 bill proposes a fine of 10 lakh rupees for those found guilty of unfair means [4].

Reports on the catalyst for Pradhan's departure vary. Some sources said Pradhan resigned citing deep anguish over the ongoing protests. Other reports said the Chief Justice of India and the Congress Party insisted on the resignation.

The government intends for the new bill to ensure faster trials and longer jail terms to prevent future breaches of examination security. The move comes after weeks of unrest that have paralyzed student activity across the country.

“The maximum imprisonment for using unfair means will increase to 10 years”

The resignation of a cabinet minister and the rapid introduction of a punitive bill signal the government's attempt to decouple itself from the administrative failures of the NEET exams. By doubling the maximum prison sentence and introducing heavy fines, the state is pivoting from a regulatory approach to a criminal justice approach to protect the integrity of high-stakes testing.