PIB debunks AI deepfake video falsely showing Dharmendra…
The PIB Fact Check Unit debunked an AI-generated deepfake video that falsely depicted Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announcing his…
- Incident date
- Jul 2026
- Target
- Dharmendra Pradhan
On July 25, 2026, the Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check Unit debunked a viral AI-generated video that falsely claimed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was resigning from his position. The agency clarified that the video was digitally altered and confirmed that the minister never made such a statement.
What happened
The deepfake video featured a manipulated clip of Dharmendra Pradhan stating, "I am resigning from my post of Education Minister for personal reasons. I thank everyone for the opportunity." To combat the spread of this misinformation, the PIB shared a link to the original, unedited footage and explicitly stated that the content was fabricated.
This incident occurred amidst a climate of heightened public tension, as ongoing protests regarding alleged irregularities in national-level examinations, particularly NEET, have led to increased scrutiny of government officials. During this same period, other manipulated clips also surfaced, falsely showing the Prime Minister making threatening remarks against demonstrators, which the PIB also confirmed were entirely fabricated.
The PIB Fact Check Unit has urged the public to exercise caution regarding manipulated content and to rely exclusively on official government handles for verified information. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious government-related content to the PIB Fact Check Unit via their WhatsApp helpline at +91 8799711259 or by email at factcheck@pib.gov.in.