Pralhad Joshi Takes Charge of Education Ministry After Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been assigned charge of the Education Ministry, in addition to his existing portfolio. The move comes hours after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned after mass Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests over NEET paper leak. The 64-year-old has represented the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka as an MP since 2004, and has earlier served as the Minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs between 2019 and 2024. In a press communique, the Rashtrapati Bhawan announced, “The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India.” “Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Pralhad Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his existing portfolio,” it said. After the resignation of Pradhan, Joshi wrote in a post on X, “Shri @dpradhanbjp Ji has had an illustrious political career spanning decades. His commitment to the development of the Nation will always be remembered.” “His tenure witnessed the successful implementation of NEP 2020 along with over 100 big and small reforms in the field of education. Placing larger interest above everything else, Shri Pradhan Ji’s decision to step down does not in any way stop in contributing to the Nation’s development,” Joshi said, adding, “Our paths will cross again in the line of development of the Nation.” According to the sources, Joshi was in his constituency when the announcement about assigning him the charge of the Education Ministry came. After attending the meeting of the Union Cabinet on Friday, Joshi left for his constituency in Karnataka. He was supposed to return on Sunday. However, on Saturday, when he was attending some events in his constituency when he got a call from New Delhi. He took a 7:30 pm flight from Hubli airport and returned to the National Capital late in the night. Joshi started his political journey from Dharwad, where he served as the BJP’s district president from 1995 till 1998. From 1998 to 2003, he served as BJP’s General Secretary in the same district. He was elected to Lok Sabha for the first time in 2004. Before joining the Modi Cabinet as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; Coal and Mines, Joshi headed the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas in 16th Lok Sabha. He has also served in various capacities including BJP’s State president of Karnataka. As Food Minister, he is involved in administering the biggest welfare program–Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana as per the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013. As the New and Renewable Minister, he is responsible for rolling out the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, one of the most ambitious programs of the Modi government. He is also associated with a mid-day meals project for primary schools in Karnataka.