Student protests over exam ‘leaks’ force minister to quit

The protests gathered momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk began a 26-day hunger strike in support of the students’ demands, eventually forcing the government into three rounds of negotiations with leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

In a post on social media platform X, Pradhan announced that he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He wrote: “To ensure that anti-national forces do not exploit the situation at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere in the country, to preserve national unity, to ensure that no student’s future is trapped in legal complications, and so that our children can focus on their studies and careers, I have decided to submit my resignation to the Honourable Prime Minister.”

Following a third round of talks with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, the CJP appealed to protesters to end their demonstration and return home.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the movement’s principal demands had been accepted and that the organisation would meet the government again in four weeks to review progress and continue discussions on broader education reforms.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke hailed the resignation as a victory for the movement.

“We have done it. Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned,” he said. “This proves that if you do not live in fear and do not bow before the government, you can hold even the most powerful people accountable. In a democracy, citizens should not be afraid.”

Opposition parties had also been demanding Pradhan’s resignation, arguing that he should take responsibility for the examination controversy.

The resignation is widely seen as a political setback for Modi, marking the first time a senior cabinet minister has stepped down under sustained public pressure during his 12 years in office.

It is also expected to increase pressure on the government to pursue wider reforms of India's examination system and respond more openly to student grievances.

Protests reach peak

The protests reached their peak on Monday (20 July), when thousands of students clashed with police in New Delhi during one of the largest anti-government demonstrations of Modi’s tenure. Security forces used tear gas and baton charges to disperse protesters after they attempted to move beyond the designated protest area.

Earlier, during the nearly month-long sustained protests, the demonstrators argued that repeated failures in the examination system had jeopardised the academic futures of millions of students across India.

According to Delhi Police, 118 police personnel and more than 50 protesters were injured in the violence on 20 July, although the exact number of casualties remains unclear. Police used force when students attempted a march from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar towards the Parliament.

The turnout appeared to exceed police preparations, with security personnel struggling to contain crowds that stretched beyond the designated protest area.

The demonstrations highlighted growing frustration among students, while social media platforms were flooded with criticism of what many users described as the excessive use of force by security personnel.

Videos showing police using batons and tear gas spread rapidly on social media, prompting criticism from opposition leaders, student groups, and rights activists.

Nineteen-year-old Priyadarshini, who participated in the protest, told University World News that young people felt increasingly ignored by the government.

“The situation that has been created in the country has left young people deeply frustrated, but the government seems completely indifferent,” she said.

She added that the government should engage in dialogue with students instead of responding with force.

“Rather than talking to us, the government has chosen to use force. It sends the message that it wants to silence students instead of listening to them.”

Anger over exam leaks

The 20 July demonstration followed months of anger over repeated allegations of paper leaks in competitive examinations.

The current wave of protests was triggered after authorities announced in May that the national medical entrance examination would have to be conducted again following allegations that the examination paper had been leaked.

Around 2.3 million students had taken the examination, which serves as the primary gateway to medical colleges across India.

The controversy sparked widespread outrage. Student groups allege that nearly 20 candidates died by suicide in different parts of the country following the examination scandal.

Paper leaks and allegations of malpractice in competitive examinations have repeatedly surfaced in recent years. Student organisations argue that the government has consistently failed to take responsibility or implement meaningful reforms to restore confidence in the examination system.

Hundreds of demonstrators detained

By the morning of 20 July, thousands of demonstrators had gathered at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi’s designated protest venue.

Authorities imposed extensive security restrictions around the area, suspending internet services within a five-kilometre radius, closing several metro stations, and erecting multiple layers of barricades to prevent protesters from advancing.

Police detained hundreds of demonstrators during the operation.

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show students with head injuries and other bleeding wounds following the clashes.

Reacting to the crackdown, Amnesty International India Chair of the Board Aakar Patel said the images and reports from Jantar Mantar suggested that “peaceful dissent is being suppressed in India”.

In a statement, he urged the Delhi Police to exercise restraint, immediately cease the use of unlawful force against peaceful protesters, and ensure an independent and impartial investigation into allegations of excessive force during the protest.

The protest was called by the recently formed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), a youth movement that emerged after remarks by India’s Chief Justice comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches” and “parasites”.

What began as an online satirical campaign has since evolved into an organised protest movement focused on unemployment and education.

Protest draws broad political support

The 20 July protest has drawn broad political support. India’s main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, along with several other opposition parties, has backed the students’ demands. On Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside the prime minister’s residence before being detained by police.

Nadda met representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party following the protests.

The main demands of the protesters at that time were the resignation of Pradhan, the immediate release of Wangchuk from hospital, and INR10 million (US$103,600) in compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide.

Pradhan has since resigned and Wangchuk has also ended his hunger strike. He ended his 26-day hunger strike on Thursday night, 23 July to 24 July, after receiving written assurances from the government. He said that he called off the fast following extensive negotiations with the government, and out of concern to prevent potential violence amid escalating protests.

Nadda has said the government will give financial compensation within rules to families of NEET suicide victims although the exact amount is not clear.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court refused an immediate hearing on a petition filed against the baton charge on supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party. On Wednesday (22 July), a lawyer moved a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before a three-judge bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

With demonstrations continuing to spread and public support growing, the student movement is emerging as one of the most significant political challenges facing Modi during his 12 years in office.

This article was updated on 25 July after the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.