India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following weeks of nationwide protests over examination paper leaks, marking a major concession to demonstrators demanding accountability for the scandal.
Pradhan announced his resignation in a post on X as police used tear gas to disperse protesters in New Delhi, hours before protest leaders were due to hold another round of talks with government ministers.
“Considering the situation that has arisen at Jantar Mantar and across the country, so that anti-national forces do not take advantage of this situation … I have sent my resignation letter to the Prime Minister,” Pradhan wrote.
“I deeply respect the aspirations, feelings, and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth.”
The resignation follows widespread public anger over repeated irregularities in India’s university entrance examinations, including the leak of a medical entrance examination paper that forced more than two million candidates to retake the test.
News of Pradhan’s resignation prompted celebrations among thousands of protesters gathered in central Delhi and other cities.
Authorities have imposed security measures in the capital, including restrictions on internet access and the closure of 18 metro stations, in an effort to contain the demonstrations.