NEET Exam, Paper Leak To CJP Protest, Wangchuk’s Fast & Pradhan’s Resignation: The Complete Timeline

Published 25 July 2026 · education

NEET Exam, Paper Leak To CJP Protest, Wangchuk’s Fast & Pradhan’s Resignation: The Complete Timeline Published By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 15:58 IST The

NEET Exam, Paper Leak To CJP Protest, Wangchuk’s Fast & Pradhan’s Resignation: The Complete Timeline Published By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 15:58 IST The timeline: Dharmendra Pradhan's exit came after weeks of relentless agitations spearheaded by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and a 26-day hunger strike by activist Sonam Wangchuk Rapid Read Dharmendra Pradhan (centre) resigned from the post of Education Minister on Saturday. (File) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, bowing to mounting public and political pressure. His exit followed weeks of relentless nationwide agitations spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a 26-day hunger strike by activist Sonam Wangchuk, and an intensive CBI probe into the NEET-UG paper leak. The timeline tracing this crisis from the exam floor to the Minister’s ultimate exit. PHASE 1: THE EXAMINATION AND THE PAPER LEAK May 3, 2026: The Testing Agency (NTA) administers the NEET-UG 2026 examination to nearly 22 lakh medical candidates across 5,432 test centres. May 6–8: Reports surface of a widespread question paper leak distributed via encrypted chat networks. A “guess paper" that perfectly matched the actual test triggers nationwide alarm. May 12, 2026: The NTA officially cancels the NEET-UG examination. The Union Government hands the criminal investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). May 15, 2026: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan formally acknowledges the breach during a media briefing. Referring to trusted educators linked to the leak, he notes, “Rakshak hi bhakshak ban gaye" (Protectors became predators). India’s chief justice, Surya Kant, says that some unemployed young Indians were like “cockroaches" who complain about the system on social media. May 16, 2026: In response, Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old graduate of Boston University, starts the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ as a joke. May 21, 2026: Within days, some of the CJP’s accounts get more followers on social media than India’s biggest political parties.

June 2, 2026: Protests over exam leaks continue into early June in several cities including Mumbai. June 6, 2026: Dipke returns to India from the United States to lead the CJP.’s first street protest, demanding the resignation of the education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. Hundreds gather for the peaceful demonstration. June 11, 2026: The CJP releases a five-point “manifesto," including compensation for students who were affected by the cancelled exam and other changes to the testing system. From Student Leader To Ouster Over Students’ Protest: Highs & Lows of Dharmendra Pradhan’s Career PHASE 2: PROTESTS ESCALATE & SONAM WANGCHUK’S HUNGER STRIKE June 20, 2026: First day of sit-in. CJP supporters begin a sit-in at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site near Parliament in New Delhi, after the government fails to act on the group’s demands. Protesters have remained at the site around the clock ever since. June 21, 2026: The NTA conducts a nation-wide NEET re-examination under heavily enhanced security protocols. June 25–28, 2026: Discontent deepens as Gen-Z students across India unite under a satirical online-turned-offline movement called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The CJP sets up a permanent protest base at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, making Minister Pradhan’s immediate resignation their primary demand. June 28, 2026: Famed climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk launches an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with the CJP and the country’s youth. IT’S A VICTORY OF DEMOCRACYdirect democracy… straight from the streets.It’s a victory of peace, patience & persévérance.Congratulations CJP, Gen Z of the nation and thank you all citizens for shedding fear and the fear of fear and rising up from every corner of the nation.… pic.twitter.com/rSLOfvba2R— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 25, 2026 July 9, 2026: Wangchuk calls for a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, when it would be back in session.