Pralhad Joshi given additional charge of Education Ministry after Dharmendra Pradhan resigns
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Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been assigned additional charge of the Ministry of Education following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.
The announcement came hours after Pradhan stepped down following mass Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests over the NEET paper leak.
Joshi, who currently holds the portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy, will now also oversee the Education Ministry.
In a press communiqué, Rashtrapati Bhavan said, "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."
It added, "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."
Joshi, 64, has represented Karnataka's Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency since 2004. Between 2019 and 2024, he served as the Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs.
Following Pradhan's resignation, Joshi paid tribute to his former Cabinet colleague in a post on X. "Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji has had an illustrious political career spanning decades. His commitment to the development of the Nation will always be remembered," he said.
Joshi said Pradhan's tenure saw the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 along with more than 100 reforms in the education sector. He added that Pradhan's decision to resign while placing the larger national interest first would not stop him from contributing to the country's development.
"Our paths will cross again in the line of development of the Nation," Joshi said.