Senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi has been given the additional charge of the Union Education Ministry, 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 important changes in the exams, which followed the issue of irregularities in their implementation. In addition to Education, Joshi will continue to handle other ministries that he handled earlier, such as consumption, public distribution and food and new and renewable energy.Soon after taking on the additional responsibility, Joshi said he accepted the role with “a sense of duty and humility” and pledged to work to further strengthen India’s education system.
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“I accept this responsibility with a sense of duty and humility. I am grateful 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 Bijapur of Karnataka, Pralhad Joshi completed his early education in Hubballi. He attended the Railway School for his primary education before studying at the New English School for his secondary education.For higher education, Joshi graduated from Shri Kadasiddheshwar Arts College, Hubballi, where he obtained a Bachelor of 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 the Dharwad constituency in Karnataka, 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 of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines. After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he was allotted the portfolios of Consumer, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy.As Minister of Renewable Energy, he has overseen major government initiatives including the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Prime Minister 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 faces widespread criticism of the education system from various quarters. Joshi leads the Ministry of Education in such difficult times. Meanwhile, the government has taken the decision to introduce a number of major changes such as merging the National Testing Agency (NTA), improving safeguards to prevent paper leakage, as well as switching NEET to a computer-based test format from 2027 onwards.In his new role as Education Minister, Joshi will be tasked with carrying out these reforms, overseeing the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) and rebuilding the faith of the general public in India’s examination system.His induction as a minister marks a major change for the leadership of the ministry, especially as it faces one of the toughest periods for India’s education sector.