3 days ago

Pralhad Joshi given additional charge of Education Ministry

Senior cabinet minister Pralhad Joshi has been given additional charge of India’s Ministry of Education, following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan amidst intense, weeks-long protests over alleged exam paper leaks.

A presidential communique issued late on Saturday confirmed that President Droupadi Murmu, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accepted Pradhan’s resignation from the Union Council of Ministers and assigned the portfolio to Joshi alongside his existing duties.

Joshi, a five-time Member of Parliament representing the Dharwad constituency in Karnataka, currently serves as the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, as well as New and Renewable Energy.

End of 35-day sit-in

Pradhan’s departure comes on the 35th day of continuous demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over widespread irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). In his resignation letter, Pradhan, 57, stated he was stepping down to prevent “anti-national forces” from exploiting student dissatisfaction.

Following the announcement, CJP leaders called off their agitation, stating they had reached an agreement with government representatives “in good faith” after ministers assured them their core demands would be addressed.

A veteran leader within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Joshi brings extensive administrative experience to the education portfolio. In previous terms under Prime Minister Modi, he managed key portfolios including Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs.

“I accept this responsibility with a sense of duty and humility. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, I will work to the best of my ability and fulfil my responsibilities with dedication,” Joshi said.