Prahlad Joshi assumes charge as Union Education Minister after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation

Senior BJP leader Prahlad Joshi on Sunday formally took charge as Union Education Minister, a day after being entrusted with the portfolio in addition to his existing responsibilities following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.

His appointment follows the resignation of Pradhan after weeks of nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Pradhan stepped down after the Centre accepted key demands raised during discussions with protesters, bringing an end to a 36-day agitation that had intensified political pressure on the government.

According to an official statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu accepted Pradhan's resignation with immediate effect and, on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, assigned Joshi the additional charge of the Ministry of Education.


Joshi will continue to oversee the Ministries of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.

Veteran BJP leader takes charge at a crucial juncture

Pradhan said he resigned in the interest of students and to ensure that the ongoing protests over examination irregularities were not exploited by "anti-national forces."

The protests, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and backed by several student groups, had demanded Pradhan's resignation, sweeping reforms in the examination system, withdrawal of FIRs against protesters and compensation for families affected by the NEET controversy.

Following three rounds of discussions with Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, the CJP called off its agitation after the Centre accepted several of its demands, including Pradhan's resignation. The government also said it would examine the outfit's five-point charter on education and examination reforms.

A six-time Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka's Dharwad constituency, Joshi is among the BJP's senior leaders in the state and has represented the seat continuously since 2004.

He served as the BJP's Karnataka president between 2014 and 2016 and was also a member of the Lok Sabha's Panel of Chairpersons.

Over the years, Joshi has handled several key portfolios in the Union government, including Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines. Before entering politics full-time, he studied at schools in Hubballi, graduated from Shri Kadasiddeshwar Arts College and worked as an industrialist.

Joshi assumes charge of the Education Ministry at a time when the government faces mounting pressure to restore public confidence in the country's examination system and push forward reforms following the NEET controversy.