Pralhad Joshi Gets Education Ministry Charge
Union Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi has been assigned additional charge of the Ministry of Education following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation from the Union Council of Ministers.
Pralhad Joshi Takes Education Charge
President Droupadi Murmu assigned the Education Ministry to Joshi on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The appointment was confirmed through an official communication issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday.
Joshi will manage the Education Ministry in addition to his existing responsibilities. He currently heads the ministries of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader represents Karnataka’s Dharwad constituency in the Lok Sabha and has previously handled several portfolios in the Union government, including parliamentary affairs, coal and mines.
Dharmendra Pradhan Resignation Accepted
The President accepted Pradhan’s resignation with immediate effect under Article 75(2) of the Constitution, acting on the Prime Minister’s advice. His departure followed sustained protests over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and wider concerns about the integrity of competitive examinations.
In his resignation statement, Pradhan said he had taken responsibility for managing the examination crisis and had not avoided the situation. He maintained that his decision was intended to protect students’ interests, preserve national unity and prevent the protests from being exploited by what he termed anti-national forces.
Education Ministry Faces Examination Reforms
Joshi assumes responsibility for the ministry as the government works to restore confidence in national entrance examinations. His immediate priorities are expected to include strengthening examination security, improving the functioning of the National Testing Agency and implementing measures against paper leaks.
The ministry will also oversee the government’s proposed fast-track courts for paper leak cases, continued implementation of the National Education Policy and broader reforms across school and higher education.
