New Delhi: The NEET-UG paper leak controversy saw its biggest political developments on Saturday as Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) ended its 36-day protest.

President Droupadi Murmu gave Union Minister Pralhad Joshi additional charge of the Education Ministry on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Joshi, a five-time Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka’s Dharwad, will retain his existing portfolios of new and renewable energy and consumer affairs, food and public distribution.

He takes charge as the government plans examination reforms, including changes to the National Testing Agency, stronger security measures and computer-based NEET tests from 2027.

Pradhan said he accepted moral responsibility for the controversy. He said the government ordered a CBI investigation, cancelled the examination and announced a re-test after the alleged irregularities surfaced.

After a third round of talks, the Centre agreed to withdraw FIRs and legal cases against peaceful protesters. It also assured the CJP that authorities would take no retaliatory action.

The government agreed to provide compensation to families of students who died by suicide according to existing rules. It also promised to consider the CJP’s five-point charter on examination reforms.

“Government accepted all our demands after 36 days of protest; we urge everyone to peacefully withdraw from protest sites,” CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said.

The agitation began at Jantar Mantar on June 20. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk later joined the movement and observed a 26-day hunger strike.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation reopened the entry and exit gates at all 18 stations affected by security restrictions. These included Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat.

Opposition leaders called Pradhan’s resignation a victory for students. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi described it as “the victory of the future of India”. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called it a “victory of truth”, while AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal termed it a “big win for democracy”.

The Centre has proposed amendments to the law against unfair means in public examinations. The changes provide for investigations within two months and daily hearings in special fast-track courts.

Organised paper leak rackets could attract prison terms of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 10 crore. The proposed law also allows the Centre to form special task forces to investigate examination fraud.

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