Union Minister Pralhad Joshi officially took charge of the Ministry of Education at Kartavya Bhavan on Sunday, July 26, 2026. Joshi, who also holds charge of the Union Ministries of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy, was appointed as Education Minister after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the post on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
Pradhan’s resignation came following the Cockroach Janta Party-led student protests across the country, demanding his ouster over the NEET paper leak cases. The President of India directed that Pralhad Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his existing portfolio, as advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Joshi chaired a review meeting of the Ministry in which he reviewed the implementation of various schemes and other initiatives. Union Minister of State of Education Jayant Chaudhary also attended the review meeting. Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Dr. Vineet Joshi, and Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, T. K. Anil Kumar, along with senior officers of the Ministry were present.
In a statement, Joshi expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting him with the responsibility of the Education Ministry. He accepted the responsibility with humility and a deep sense of duty. Joshi replaced Pradhan, who resigned on Saturday following the protests over the NEET paper leak controversy.
The President accepted Pradhan’s resignation from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India. Pradhan stated in his resignation letter that it was not a matter of ‘individual prestige’ and that he was disturbed by the developments of the past 10 days.
