Joshi Takes Charge of Education Ministry

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi has been appointed India's new Education Minister, taking over from Dharmendra Pradhan just hours after his resignation was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assigned Joshi the additional charge of the Ministry of Education, which he will now handle alongside his existing portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.

'Complete Humility,' Says New Minister

Reacting to his appointment, Joshi said he would carry out his new responsibilities with complete humility and a strong sense of duty. He said the Prime Minister had placed significant trust in him by handing over the role, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity, promising to work diligently under Modi's guidance to meet expectations at the ministry.

Background: Why Pradhan Resigned

Joshi's appointment follows weeks of student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over alleged irregularities in the 2026 NEET-UG medical entrance examination. Facing mounting pressure, Dharmendra Pradhan tendered his resignation on Saturday afternoon, stating in his letter that the decision was meant to ensure anti-national elements did not exploit the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country, and that students could focus on their studies rather than get entangled in legal complexities. CJP's key demands had included Pradhan's resignation, withdrawal of legal cases against protesters, and compensation of Rs 1 crore each for families of those who died by suicide amid the paper leak fallout.

Who Is Prahlad Joshi?

Born on November 27, 1962, in Karnataka's Vijayapura district, Prahlad Joshi completed his Bachelor of Arts from K.S. Arts College, Hubballi, affiliated with Karnataka University, Dharwad, in 1983. Associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from a young age, he has represented the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency since 2004, making him a five-time Member of Parliament and a seasoned organisational leader within the BJP.

A Ministry Under Close Watch

Joshi's appointment comes with immediate and significant expectations. The government has tasked the veteran BJP leader with restoring public confidence in the education system and overseeing reforms to the examination process, an issue that has dominated Parliament, the Supreme Court and the streets of Delhi over the past several weeks. With CJP having withdrawn its protest in good faith on the understanding that its remaining demands would be honoured, Joshi's early decisions as minister are likely to be closely scrutinised by both protesters and the opposition in the days ahead.