India's education minister steps down amid exam leak protests

India’s education minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation on Saturday, ending weeks of protests that called for his removal over alleged leaks in the country’s competitive entrance exams and other irregularities in the education system. The decision was posted on the social media platform X and was hailed as a victory by the protest movement known as the “Cockroach” movement, which has organized sit-ins, hunger strikes and rallies in New Delhi and other cities.

The protests began more than a month ago after accusations that exam papers for several high-stakes tests had been compromised. While initially focused on education reform, the demonstrations expanded to include demands for greater government accountability, job creation and economic opportunity. Participants have included students, professionals, families and activists.

"This had to be done. Someone must be held accountable," said Prachi Kumar, a corporate employee who joined the protests.

Following the announcement, protesters gathered at the New Delhi demonstration site, celebrating the resignation and waving the national flag. The Cockroach Janta Party, which helped launch the movement, posted on X that “DEMOCRACY WINS!”

Authorities had previously responded with measures such as establishing fast-track courts for exam-leak cases and proposing legislation to curb cheating and corruption in examinations, but protesters said these steps did not address the core issue of accountability. Movement leaders indicated that the campaign would continue, seeking compensation for families of students who died by suicide after alleged leaks and calling for action against police officers accused of using excessive force.

"Remember, do not mess with (the) cockroach," wrote movement leader Abhijeet Dipke in a statement.

The resignation marks the first major concession by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to a large-scale public dissent movement in recent years.