Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as education minister, saying he wanted to protect students' futures and stop "anti-national forces" from using the crisis. In a Hindi letter posted on X, he took moral responsibility for problems around the NEET-UG exam. Pradhan said his government acted fast after irregularities were found, handing the probe to the CBI, cancelling the exam, and holding a fresh test in June. He said some "responsible" people had tried to mislead students, causing him pain. He called his resignation necessary to protect national unity and keep students focused on their studies, not personal prestige.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned. He sent his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announced it on X. The move comes hours before a third round of talks between the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the government.   Pradhan's resignation was the protesters' main demand. The government had already agreed to drop legal cases against students and compensate families of those who died after the NEET paper leak. With his resignation, all three demands are now met.   Celebrations broke out at the Jantar Mantar protest site. The CJP posted, "Long Live Student Power."

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has said he has been diagnosed with typhoid but remains committed to the movement demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. In a video message, Dipke said he is receiving treatment and intravenous medication. “I have been diagnosed with typhoid,” he said. He thanked supporters for continuing peaceful protests across the country and expressed confidence that the movement would succeed. The CJP has said its protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar will continue despite activist Sonam Wangchuk ending his 26-day hunger strike after receiving written assurances from the Centre.

The main accused in the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case, Bijendra Kumar Gupta, has been arrested from Bihar by Bhiwandi Police. He was brought to Pune Airport and will be taken to Bhiwandi for further legal action. Police believe Gupta was the mastermind behind the paper leak racket. Investigators said the leaked question paper was passed to him through former printing press employees. Earlier, the Special Investigation Team arrested three staff members of an Agra-based printing press for their alleged role in the leak. Police said Gupta will now face further investigation in the case.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has said talks with the government will have no meaning unless Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the group received a positive response on compensation and legal cases but not on its main demand. “If he is not going to resign, then these meetings serve no purpose,” Ranka said. He warned the group could take tougher steps if the government refuses to act. CJP leaders said their protest will continue until Pradhan resigns. They also demanded education reforms and compensation for those affected by the NEET controversy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Union ministers to become more active on Instagram and connect with young people through reels and interactive content. During a Cabinet meeting, he asked ministers how many of them use Instagram and stressed the platform's importance. “Youth are on Instagram. They are the citizens we need to continuously engage with,” Modi reportedly said. Hours earlier, the Prime Minister posted a reel on his own Instagram account. The move comes as the Gen Z-led Jantar Mantar protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak continue to gain attention on social media platforms.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said public anger over the NEET controversy is growing across the country. He warned that demands for accountability may soon go beyond Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. “Very soon this might not even be limited to Mr Pradhan,” Ranka said in an interview with India Today. He said protesters also want compensation for affected families and withdrawal of cases against demonstrators. Ranka claimed the government agreed in principle to some demands but said Pradhan’s resignation remains non-negotiable. He also questioned why the government took nearly two months to respond to the paper leak issue. (PC: PTI)

Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has appealed to people not to criticise him for ending his 26-day hunger strike. She said Wangchuk is in the ICU after losing 11 kg and deserves compassion. In a post on X, she wrote, "He lies in the ICU today... The least we can offer him is a day of compassion." Wangchuk ended his fast after receiving written assurances from the government and Opposition leaders that the exam issue would be discussed in Parliament. He said he took the decision to avoid possible violence. The CJP protest will continue, protest leaders said.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk strongly rejected allegations that he struck a "deal" with the Centre to end his 26-day indefinite hunger strike over the NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities. In a video message, Wangchuk said he was disappointed by claims questioning his integrity, asking whether he still needed to "prove" his sincerity after fasting for nearly a month. He urged critics not to view his decision through political speculation. Earlier, his wife Gitanjali Angmo appealed to people not to judge him, revealing that Wangchuk is recovering in the ICU after losing 11 kg during the fast. Wangchuk ended his hunger strike at Medanta Hospital after weeks of negotiations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked young people for their “insightful” suggestions on his Instagram video through another reel as the government intensified its response to the nationwide agitation over alleged examination irregularities. The Union Cabinet approved a draft Bill proposing stricter punishments for paper leak cases, including tougher penalties for those involved in organised examination fraud. The development follows the Centre’s recent announcements on strengthening safeguards against paper leaks and reforming the examination system. Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) maintained that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation remains “non-negotiable”, arguing that legislative changes alone cannot address concerns over accountability amid the continuing nationwide protests demanding education reforms. (PC: PTI)