Pralhad Joshi: “I accept with humility and a deep sense of duty” on becoming Education Minister

New Delhi: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday assumed additional charge of the Ministry of Education and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the responsibility.

Posting on X after taking charge, Joshi said, “Today, I assumed charge as the Union Minister for Education. I am grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for placing his faith in me and entrusting me with this responsibility. I accept it with humility and a deep sense of duty.”

Joshi, who continues as Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, was assigned the education portfolio following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan amid nationwide student protests over alleged examination paper leaks. The President’s Secretariat said President Droupadi Murmu accepted Pradhan’s resignation on the advice of the Prime Minister under Article 75(2) of the Constitution and simultaneously gave Joshi the additional charge.

The Education Ministry has been under intense public scrutiny as students demanded accountability and reforms after alleged irregularities in competitive exams. Pradhan’s exit came after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) ended its protest when the Centre accepted key demands, including his resignation. Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh held talks with CJP representatives; CJP spokesperson Saurav Das later urged students to call off the agitation, saying the government had agreed to the protesters’ principal demands.

(Inputs from IANS)