Pralhad Joshi takes additional charge of Education Ministry after President accepts Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation

President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister, with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi being assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of Education.

The development came hours after Pradhan announced that he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid nationwide protests over the NEET-UG paper leak and alleged examination irregularities.

In an official statement, the government said, “The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India. Further, the President has directed that Shri Pralhad Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his existing portfolio.”

Who is Pralhad Joshi?

Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi currently serves as the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy. He will now also oversee the Education Ministry.

A five-time Member of Parliament, Joshi returned to Prime Minister Modi’s Cabinet following the NDA’s victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Born in November 1962 in Karnataka, he entered Parliament in 2004 and began his political journey with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) before rising through the BJP ranks.

Following the NEET-UG paper leak controversy earlier this year, Joshi had said the government was working on technology-driven reforms to strengthen the examination system, stating that major changes would be implemented by next year.

Why Pradhan resigned

Pradhan’s resignation followed weeks of student protests demanding accountability over the NEET-UG paper leak and other alleged examination irregularities.

In a letter shared on X, Pradhan said he was stepping down in the interest of students and the nation, adding that the move would help prevent anti-national elements from exploiting the situation, allow students to focus on their studies, and avoid prolonged legal complications.

His resignation came shortly before the Centre and the Abhijeet Dipke-led CJP jointly announced that the protest at Jantar Mantar would be called off after the government agreed to the group’s demands.