Thousands of protesters gathered at New Delhi s Jantar Mantar protest site erupted in celebration after the announcement, chanting slogans, dancing and waving the national flag. The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which spearheaded the demonstrations, declared an end to its protests.
"We have done it," CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke told cheering supporters.
Minister steps down
Announcing his resignation in a post on X, Pradhan said he had decided to step down to prevent the unrest from being exploited by "anti-national forces".
"Considering the situation that has arisen at Jantar Mantar and across the country... I have sent my resignation letter to the Prime Minister," he wrote.
"I deeply respect the aspirations, feelings and legitimate expectations of the country s youth."
The protesters had demanded Pradhan s resignation after the leak of a major medical college entrance examination in May, which forced authorities to cancel the results and conduct a fresh test affecting around two million students.
The demonstrations also evolved into a broader movement highlighting youth frustration over unemployment, government accountability and the education system.
Government reaches agreement
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose 26-day hunger strike became a symbol of the movement, described the resignation as "a victory of peace, patience and perseverance."
Later in the day, Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State Jitendra Singh held talks with CJP leaders. Following the meeting, the protest movement announced it was ending its demonstrations after receiving assurances that no legal action would be taken against participants.
Celebrations across protest sites
Following the announcement, protesters at Jantar Mantar sang the national anthem, distributed sweets and shouted patriotic slogans of "Jai Hind" as thousands celebrated the outcome.
Around 1,000 police officers remained deployed around the protest site, while roads surrounding Connaught Place in central New Delhi were temporarily closed due to the large crowds.
Authorities also restored mobile internet services around the protest area after restricting access for most of the week.
"Youth have won. This is a victory for the Constitution," protester Tluanga Ralte said while carrying a copy of India s Constitution. "We are not a lazy generation."
Opposition demands accountability
The protests intensified after police used batons and tear gas on Monday to disperse demonstrators attempting to march towards Parliament, leaving dozens injured and triggering widespread public criticism.
Opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi welcomed Pradhan s resignation but said further accountability was necessary.
"Those who hurt the students during the protests have to be held accountable," Gandhi said, adding that Prime Minister Modi should apologise for the police crackdown.
Pradhan, 57, had served as education minister since 2021 and was regarded as one of the Bharatiya Janata Party s senior leaders. He becomes only the second Union minister to resign over a major controversy during Modi s tenure since 2014, following former minister M.J. Akbar s resignation in 2018 during India s #MeToo movement.
The Cockroach movement, which began in June, drew support from students, youth activists and opposition groups across several Indian states, including West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, where protesters organised demonstrations, class boycotts and rallies demanding reforms.
Concluding the movement s campaign, CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke told supporters: "Remember, do not mess with the cockroach."
