Senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi has been entrusted with the additional charge of the Union Ministry of Education, succeeding Dharmendra Pradhan, who resigned on Saturday, taking moral responsibility for the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy.His appointment coincides with the Ministry facing some major changes in exams, which followed the issue of irregularities in their conduct. Besides Education, Joshi will continue to handle other ministries he was managing before, viz., consumer affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.Soon after assuming the additional responsibility, Joshi said he accepted the role with “a sense of duty and humility” and pledged to work towards further strengthening India’s education system.
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“I accept this responsibility with a sense of duty and humility. I am thankful to the Prime Minister. In the last four to five years, Dharmendra Pradhan implemented the National Education Policy and several important initiatives. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, I will work to the best of my ability and fulfill my responsibilities with dedication,” he said.
Pralhad Joshi’s educational qualifications
Born on November 27, 1962, in Karnataka’s Bijapur, Pralhad Joshi completed his early education in Hubballi. He attended the Railway School for his primary education before studying at New English School for his secondary schooling.For higher education, Joshi graduated from Shri Kadasiddheshwar Arts College, Hubballi, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in the arts. Before entering full-time politics, he was associated with business and later emerged as a prominent BJP leader in Karnataka.
Political career
A five-time Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka’s Dharwad constituency, Joshi has represented the seat continuously since 2004. Over the years, he has held several key positions in both the party and the Union government.From 2019 to 2024, he served as the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal, and Mines. Following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he was assigned the portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy.As the renewable energy minister, he has overseen major government initiatives, including the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM, and efforts to expand India’s renewable energy capacity.
Why his appointment is significant
The people are not impressed, and the government is facing widespread criticism of the education system from various quarters. Joshi is heading the Ministry of Education in such difficult times. Meanwhile, the government has made the decision to introduce a series of major changes such as the merger of the National Testing Agency (NTA), the improvement of safeguards to prevent paper leaks as well as the changeover of NEET to a computer-based test format from the year 2027.In his new role as the education minister, Joshi will take charge of carrying out these reforms, keeping a check on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) as well as rebuilding the faith of the general public in India’s examination system.His joining as the minister is a big change for the leadership at the ministry, mostly since it is facing one of the hardest periods ever for India’s education sector.
