Archive · 25 Jul 2026
NEET-UG Paper Leak Protests Lead to Education Minister's Resignation
Students and supporters across India protested against the NEET-UG paper leak.
They wanted the Education Minister to resign and for the government to make exams fair and transparent.
The protests started in Delhi but spread to many cities.
A famous climate activist, Sonam Wangchuk, even went on a hunger strike to support the cause.
The protesters wanted the government to take action to prevent such leaks in the future and to regulate coaching institutes.
The protests lasted over a month and gained a lot of attention.
The government accepted the resignation of the Education Minister, and the protesters ended their protests.
Protests against the NEET-UG paper leak began in Delhi on June 6, 2023, and spread to 34 cities across India.
Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for accountability in the paper leak.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest with an indefinite hunger strike, which ended on July 23, 2023.
Protesters organized a march to Parliament on July 20, 2023, to demand accountability, leading to clashes with police.
The protests gained momentum, with over 500 people, including celebrities, participating in Chennai, and the government accepted Pradhan's resignation on July 25, 2023.
- Who
- Students and supporters across India, led by Abhijeet Dipke
- What
- Protests against the NEET-UG paper leak and demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
- When
- Protests began on June 6, 2023, and ended on July 25, 2023
- Where
- 34 cities across India, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, and others
- Why
- To demand accountability for the NEET-UG paper leak and a transparent examination system
Protesters
Government
Resignation of Education Minister
Protesters
Protesters demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for accountability in the NEET-UG paper leak.
Government
The government initially did not respond to the resignation demands but eventually accepted Pradhan's resignation.
Transparency in Examinations
Protesters
Protesters call for a transparent recruitment examination system and regulation of coaching institutes.
Government
The government has not yet announced specific measures to address these demands.
- Protest Leader
- Abhijeet Dipke
- Protest Start Date
- June 6, 2023
- Protest Locations
- 34 cities across India
- Hunger Strike Participant
- Sonam Wangchuk
- March to Parliament
- July 20, 2023
- End of Hunger Strike
- July 23, 2023
- Resignation Announcement
- July 25, 2023
- Protest End Date
- July 25, 2023
Sources
Cockroach protest was the boy who yelled about the emperor’s new clothes
We Have Just Started, Says Cockroach Janta Party After Demand Victory
The cockroach who would not leave: How Abhijeet Dipke made the govt bend
Inside Jantar Mantar's Saturday of celebration after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned – 'We have done it'
Abhijeet Dipke's "Going To Take A Nap" Post Shortly After Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns
In Pics: Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Student Protests Move Beyond Delhi
The cockroach who won’t leave: The making of Abhijeet Dipke
Who is Abhijeet Dipke? Founder of Cockroach Janta Party leading NEET protests that triggered Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
Cockroach power: How Abhijeet Dipke became face of India’s first Gen-Z movement, and won
Paper Leak To Education Minister's Resignation: A Timeline Of CJP Protest
'Kya kehte the, is sarkaar mein istife nahi hote': How Abhijeet Dipke declared victory after Pradhan's resignation
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke diagnosed with typhoid fever
‘Thank you for calling us cockroaches’: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke’s message to CJI Surya Kant after Pradhan’s resignation
