New Delhi | July 26, 2026
India’s education sector has entered a new chapter with Pralhad Joshi assuming charge as the Union Education Minister, following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. The appointment comes at a crucial time as the government seeks to restore confidence in the country’s examination system after weeks of nationwide student protests over alleged examination irregularities.
President Droupadi Murmu accepted Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation with immediate effect, after which Prime Minister Narendra Modi entrusted Pralhad Joshi with the additional responsibility of leading the Ministry of Education alongside his existing ministerial portfolios.
While taking charge of the ministry, Joshi acknowledged that education is a new portfolio for him and said he would first familiarize himself with the ministry’s functioning before taking major decisions. He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the responsibility and pledged to work with dedication to strengthen India’s education system.
A seasoned parliamentarian from Karnataka, Pralhad Joshi has represented the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency multiple times. Over the years, he has held several important Union Cabinet portfolios, including Parliamentary Affairs, Coal, Mines, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, earning a reputation as an experienced administrator.
The leadership change follows intense public scrutiny over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, which triggered widespread demonstrations across the country and renewed demands for transparent, technology-driven examination reforms. The Central Government has also announced a comprehensive review of the examination system to improve fairness, security, and accountability.
With Pralhad Joshi now at the helm of the Education Ministry, attention will be focused on restoring public trust, ensuring the integrity of national entrance examinations, and advancing reforms aimed at creating a more transparent and student-centric education system.
