Dharmendra Pradhan: News
Dharmendra Pradhan, born on June 26, 1969 in Talcher, Odisha, is a Union Minister who belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As of 2021, he represents Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha and holds two portfolios in PM Narendra Modi's Cabinet, including Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. Pradhan was active in politics even as a student, owing to the influence of his father, a BJP leader who was a Minister of State in AB Vajpayee's government and a member of the Lok Sabha, too. He obtained his Master's in Anthropology from the Utkal University in Odisha. He was a member of the Odisha Assembly during 2000-04 from Pallahara. Pradhan successfully contested in his first-ever Lok Sabha election from Deogarh in 2004. He held the position for one term and suffered a defeat in 2009. He was, however, elected to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar in 2012. In 2014, he was appointed the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and later promoted to a Cabinet rank in 2017; he held the post until 2021. He also served as the Union Minister of Steel from 2019-21. Pradhan is also active in the party's activities in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Meta India head booked over AI-generated videos of PM Modi
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered two cases against Arun Srinivas, the head of Meta India, and several Facebook and Instagram accounts over AI-generated morphed content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests.
Jantar Mantar not closed: Delhi Police issue clarification
The Delhi Police on Thursday dismissed rumors that the Jantar Mantar protest site has been closed.
Security heightened at Jantar Mantar again after CJP's threat
The Delhi Police has tightened security at Jantar Mantar once again, deploying more personnel and welding barricades to prevent their removal during future protests.
Indian government orders Google to block these offline messaging apps
The Indian government has ordered tech giant Google to take down three offline messaging apps: Bitchat, Briar, and Bridgefy.
Rahul Gandhi's anecdote about student who defined 'andhbhakt' causes uproar
The Lok Sabha witnessed a ruckus on Wednesday after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi used the words "idiots" and "andhbhakts" in his speech.
Abhijeet Dipke flooded with marriage proposals, mother claims
Anita Dipke, the mother of 26-year-old activist and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, has revealed that her son has been receiving marriage proposals for the past two years.
'Hope all groups surround...Modi government': CJP after meeting farmer leader
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has reached out to farmer leader Rakesh Tikait in a bid to form a united front of farmers, students, and youth.
Delhi Police file FIR over abusive posts against PM
The Delhi Police have filed an FIR regarding abusive posts against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Express reported.
BJP rejects portfolio change offer to Dharmendra Pradhan after resignation
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dismissed media reports that the central government had offered former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan a new Cabinet portfolio after his resignation.
'Saved Pradhan Mantri by removing Pradhan': Akhilesh Yadav targets Centre
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday took a dig at the government in Parliament over the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.
'As if returning from war...': Gogoi criticizes Dharmendra Pradhan's felicitation
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after Dharmendra Pradhan was felicitated in Parliament in his first appearance since resigning as Union Education Minister amid student protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
Debate on anti-paper leak Bill begins in Lok Sabha
The discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill has begun in the Lok Sabha after the proceedings were adjourned till 2pm on Tuesday after the Opposition protested over the use of pellet guns against NEET paper leak protesters.
Release minor protesters, no publishing personal data: SC's big directions
The Supreme Court has ordered that no coercive action be taken against the protesters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi and other states.
Rights commission takes suo motu cognizance of Delhi Police excesses
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged use of excessive force by the Delhi Police during the student-led protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
Assam to withdraw all cases against NEET exam irregularity protesters
The Assam government has decided to withdraw all cases against protesters of alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities.
Before Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, Centre proposed portfolio change; CJP refused
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) reportedly rejected the Centre's proposal to change Dharmendra Pradhan's portfolio instead of seeking his removal before he submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.
Jantar Mantar violence: 989 identified protesters have criminal records
At least 20 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered in connection with the violence that erupted during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest, Hindustan Times reported.
'I'm street fighter': Dharmendra Pradhan, Jairam Ramesh clash in Parliament
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dharmendra Pradhan exchanged brief but sharp words with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh during his first appearance in Parliament after resigning as Union education minister.
Kejriwal announces 'national town hall' against E20 on August 1
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will host a "National Town Hall against E20" on August 1 in Delhi, party leader Arvind Kejriwal said.
Sonam Wangchuk discharged from Medanta Hospital
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been discharged from Gurugram's Medanta Hospital after a week of treatment following his 26-day hunger strike, which he ended on the night of July 23.
Cockroach Janta Party urges government to fulfill commitments
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has urged the Indian government to fulfill its commitments following reports of detentions across the country.
NTA overhauls leadership, invites applications to 4 key posts
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has launched a major overhaul of its leadership in a bid to revamp its examination system.
'Dharmendra Pradhan Zindababd': Former minister gets rousing welcome at Parliament
Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was given a warm welcome by National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders in Parliament on Monday, where he was received with slogans of "Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad."
Why is Sreelekha Mitra facing backlash after attending students' rally?
Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra has found herself in legal trouble after allegedly using a "distasteful" image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a student protest in Kolkata.
Bihar cop, seen firing at protesting students with AK-47, suspended
A Bihar policeman who was seen on viral videos using an AK-47 rifle against protesting students in Siwan district has been suspended.
'True meaning of people power': Greta Thunberg hails CJP-led protest
Climate activist Greta Thunberg has expressed her support for the Cockroach Janta Party-led student protest over alleged irregularities in India's education system.
BJP demands Punjab minister's resignation after Dharmendra Pradhan's big step
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the resignation of Punjab's Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains over alleged paper leak cases.
NEET aspirant, 19, dies by suicide over low marks
A 19-year-old National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) aspirant, Ankita Sangle, died by suicide in Jalalpur village, Maharashtra.
Anti-paper leak bill debate in Parliament today; 10-hour time allotted
The government will introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Delhi Police crack down on posts mocking Modi
The Delhi Police has launched a crackdown on social media posts that allegedly used vulgar and abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
NEET-UG paper leak: PM Modi forms task force on exams
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the formation of a high-powered task force to reform India's examination system.
Raveena Tandon says student protests were 'hijacked by political parties'
Actor Raveena Tandon has voiced her opinion on the recent student protests in India.
Global media's lens on impact of CJP protest
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests in India, which started over the 2026 NEET-UG paper leak, have become a major international story.
NEET paper leak protests: Why Dharmendra Pradhan resigned
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday amid widespread student protests over the NEET paper leak.
'Just the beginning': CJP's Abhijeet Dipke posts video message
Abhijeet Dipke, the 30-year-old leader of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has celebrated a major milestone in his movement.
Jantar Mantar protest: Participants begin leaving site after 36 days
After 36 days of protests at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, participants have begun to leave the site.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi gets additional charge of Education Ministry
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been given the additional charge of the Ministry of Education. The appointment comes after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the post amid protests over exam paper leaks.
Sonam Wangchuk welcomes end of CJP protest
Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk has welcomed the end of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) nationwide agitation.
CJP withdraws protest after Centre agrees to demands
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has withdrawn its agitation with immediate effect after the Centre agreed to all its demands.
Why Indian government asked GitHub to remove 'Bitchat' repositories
The Indian government's recent attempt to take down GitHub repositories hosting Jack Dorsey's offline Bluetooth-powered messaging app, Bitchat, has sparked a legal debate.
Cockroach Janata Party updates demands list after Pradhan's resignation
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has updated its list of demands after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
Priyanka, Prakash Raj, Vijay Varma react to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday amid widespread student protests against the NEET paper leak and other examination irregularities.
Sonam Wangchuk hails Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as 'victory of democracy'
Climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk has hailed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a "victory of democracy."
Soni Razdan supports protests, urges people to 'listen to' students
Veteran actor Soni Razdan has expressed her support for the student protests against alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
'Victory of democracy': CJP celebrates Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday amid protests over the NEET paper leak controversy.
Dharmendra Pradhan announces resignation amid massive student protests
Dharmendra Pradhan has announced his resignation as Union Education Minister on Saturday.
Rahul Gandhi demands Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation amid NEET protests
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
'Proud of Gen-Z': Jyotika backs students, demands Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation
Tamil actor Jyotika has finally broken her silence on the ongoing protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
CJP says no point in talks without Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has taken a firm stance ahead of the third round of talks with the central government.
NEET paper leak protests: 3rd round of talks scheduled today
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and the central government will hold their third round of talks on Saturday.
Wangchuk addresses allegations after ending 26-day hunger strike
Activist Sonam Wangchuk has addressed his supporters and critics in a video message after ending his 26-day hunger strike. The fast was in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party's protest.
NEET paper leak: NTA sacks 47 officials, legal action imminent
The National Testing Agency(NTA) has sacked 47 officials in a major overhaul of the agency. This decision comes in the wake of widespread protests over NEET paper leaks.
Government requested day to decide on Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation: CJP
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has stood firm on its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Vande Mataram bill tabled in Rajya Sabha
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, on Friday tabled the National Honor (Amendment) Bill, 2026, also known as the Vande Mataram Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
JNU issues advisory against attending Jantar Mantar protests
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has advised its students and staff to "refrain from participating in or visiting gatherings at or around Jantar Mantar."
'End errors' surrounding NEET exam: SC tells Centre
The Supreme Court has asked the central government to put an end to the "series of errors" surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate examination.