Pralhad Joshi Takes Charge as Union Education Minister After Pradhan Resigns

New Delhi, July 25: Pralhad Joshi, currently the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy, has been given additional charge of the Ministry of Education. The appointment follows the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, who stepped down from the Union Council of Ministers.

According to an official statement from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President of India, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, assigned the education portfolio to Joshi under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution. The same constitutional provision was used to accept Pradhan's resignation with immediate effect.

The statement did not specify the reasons for Pradhan's resignation. Media reports indicated that the decision came amid nationwide protests over recent education policy changes, but the government has not confirmed any connection.

Joshi, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, has been a cabinet minister since 2019. He represents the Dharwad constituency in Karnataka. His additional responsibilities now include overseeing India's education system, which includes school and higher education.

The Ministry of Education has been a key focus for the government, with the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and ongoing reforms in curricula and examination systems.