Protests that swept across India last week over alleged irregularities in the country’s examination system came to an end after the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi moved to address key demands, but broader political and social concerns remain unresolved.

In New Delhi, where thousands of young demonstrators had clashed with security forces wielding batons and tear gas, the area fell quiet on Monday following intense protests that began in May. The movement was initially triggered by a leak of examination questions that sparked widespread outrage. The government’s response included the resignation of the education minister and the announcement of a high-profile committee tasked with reforming the exam administration process through technological means.

The newly formed panel will be led by Nandan Nilekani, the billionaire entrepreneur known for India's digital identity and payments initiatives, signaling the government’s intent to promote transparency and fairness for students navigating the highly competitive higher education system. Modi emphasized that those caught undermining the integrity of the exams would face severe penalties.

While these concessions marked what some protesters called a rare and significant victory achieved through sustained public pressure, the movement’s leaders and participants expressed mixed feelings about the outcome. The protest group, known as the Cockroach Janata Party, had initially focused narrowly on the examination issue and the education minister’s resignation. However, many involved viewed their cause as a manifestation of broader dissatisfaction with governance issues such as corruption, electoral malpractice, and the health care system.

Abshicharya Dagur, a law student from Delhi, described the education minister’s resignation as largely symbolic and cautioned that replacing officials would not fundamentally resolve systemic challenges. Raj Kumar, a protester who traveled over 1,300 kilometers from West Bengal to join the demonstrations but left disappointed, said the movement’s momentum was prematurely halted and had the potential to effect more substantial change.

In some states controlled by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies, however, a crackdown on protesters continued despite government assurances that no punitive actions would be taken. Reports indicated that hundreds of demonstrators were arrested, including political activists, raising concerns about political suppression. In West Bengal, at least 14 individuals were detained following protests linked to the movement. A Cockroach spokesperson described arrests occurring outside Delhi as a matter of “grave concern.”

Mobile internet shutdowns, which had cut off communications for nearly a week in certain regions, were lifted by Monday, although reports surfaced that authorities directed social media companies to remove content deemed critical of the government.

The government’s rapid response to the protests appeared aimed at defusing the immediate crisis while reasserting control. The task force on exam reforms and promises of strict enforcement seemed designed to prevent further disruptions, but many activists maintained that deeper political and administrative reforms are necessary to address the challenges facing India’s youth and democracy going forward.