India education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns after nationwide protests

New Delhi — Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation on Tuesday, marking the first significant concession by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration in response to a wave of nationwide demonstrations that began earlier this month. Pradhan, who held the portfolios of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship as well as Petroleum and Natural Gas, stepped down after protestors across multiple states called for his removal over the controversial rollout of the “SkillConnect” scheme, which critics said marginalized informal workers and lacked adequate safeguards. The protests, which saw large gatherings in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and several tier‑2 cities, intensified after a petition filed by a coalition of trade unions and civil‑society groups alleged procedural lapses and demanded accountability from the minister.

The government announced that Pradhan’s resignation would be accepted immediately, and a senior cabinet member has been tasked with overseeing the transition of his ministries pending a formal reshuffle. Officials emphasized that the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to addressing public concerns while maintaining continuity in policy implementation. Analysts note that the move could signal a more responsive approach by the Modi government amid mounting pressure from organized labor and civil‑society groups, though the broader impact on the cabinet’s stability remains to be seen.