New Delhi: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pralhad Joshi has been entrusted with the additional charge of the Union Ministry of Education following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. The decision comes at a critical time, with the ministry facing heightened scrutiny over recent controversies surrounding national entrance examinations.
The appointment was approved after President Droupadi Murmu accepted Pradhan’s resignation. Joshi, who currently serves as the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, as well as New and Renewable Energy, will now oversee the Education Ministry in addition to his existing responsibilities.
The change in leadership comes amid growing demands for accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET UG 2026 examination. The controversy sparked nationwide protests from students and parents, with opposition parties calling for greater transparency in the conduct of competitive examinations. Pradhan resigned after taking moral responsibility for the issue.
A seasoned parliamentarian, Joshi has represented Karnataka’s Dharwad constituency in the Lok Sabha since 2004. Over the years, he has held several important portfolios in the Union government, including Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines. Known for his administrative experience and organisational skills, he is expected to play a key role in steering the Education Ministry through one of its most challenging phases in recent years.
His immediate focus is likely to be on restoring public confidence in the country’s examination system. Strengthening security around national level entrance tests, improving transparency in recruitment and admission processes, and ensuring the continued implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 are expected to be among the ministry’s top priorities.
Education experts believe the leadership change also signals the Centre’s intent to respond quickly to concerns raised by students and parents. With millions of aspirants depending on the credibility of India’s examination system every year, the ministry’s next steps will be closely watched.
For now, the government has not announced any wider Cabinet reshuffle, indicating that Joshi will handle the Education Ministry as an additional responsibility. His first decisions in the coming days are expected to set the tone for how the government addresses ongoing challenges in the education sector and rebuilds trust among students across the country.
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