Senior BJP leader and five time Lok Sabha MP Pralhad Joshi assumed additional charge as the Union Minister of Education on July 26, 2026, following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Pradhan stepped down two days earlier, on July 25, taking moral responsibility for the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy that triggered nationwide student protests. Joshi, who continues to hold his existing portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy, takes over at a time when the education ministry is implementing major examination reforms.
The NEET Controversy and the Resignation
The NEET-UG 2026 examination, conducted on May 3, 2026, by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was cancelled on May 12, 2026 after allegations surfaced that a circulated guess paper matched a significant portion of the actual question paper, particularly in Chemistry and Biology. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the probe and made several arrests, including NTA insiders who had access to the question papers as subject experts and translators.
The controversy triggered massive student protests across the country, with thousands rallying at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the agitation with an indefinite hunger strike that lasted 26 days. Following the “Sansad Chalo” march on July 20, 2026, coinciding with the Parliament’s Monsoon Session, the pressure built rapidly. On July 25, Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, becoming the first Union Minister in the Modi government to step down due to sustained public protest since 2014.
The government has already announced several reforms in response, including the restructuring of the NTA, transitioning NEET to a fully Computer Based Test (CBT) format from 2027, and the introduction of a stringent anti paper leak law with provisions for Special Fast Track Courts and a Special Task Force (STF) to deal with such offences.
Who Is Pralhad Joshi?
Early Life and Education
Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi was born on November 27, 1962, in Bijapur, Karnataka (then part of Mysore State). His father was an employee of Indian Railways. Joshi completed his primary education at the Railway School in Hubballi and his secondary schooling at New English School in the same city. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Shri Kadasiddheshwar Arts College, Hubballi, which is affiliated with Karnataka University, Dharwad.
Political Career
Joshi began his public life as a worker of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and came into prominence in the early 1990s by organising a movement to hoist the national flag at Idagah Maidan in Hubballi. He went on to serve as the district president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Dharwad.
He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 from the Dharwad constituency and has been re-elected consecutively in 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024, making him a five time MP. His 2024 victory was a record fifth consecutive win from the same constituency. He also served as the State President of the BJP, Karnataka from 2014 to 2016.
A Diverse Ministerial Portfolio
Joshi first entered the Union Cabinet on May 30, 2019, as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal, and Mines, roles he held until June 2024. As Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, he played a key role in steering major legislation through both Houses of Parliament, including the abrogation of Article 370, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act.
After the 2024 general election, he was assigned the portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy. In the renewable energy domain, he oversaw key initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, and the PM KUSUM scheme.
The current ministerial responsibilities of Pralhad Joshi are:
| Portfolio | Department/ Ministry |
|---|---|
| Education | Ministry of Education (additional charge since July 2026) |
| Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution | Department of Food and Public Distribution |
| New and Renewable Energy | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) |
Several of these portfolios were previously held by senior cabinet ministers. He succeeded Piyush Goyal in Consumer Affairs and Raj Kumar Singh in New and Renewable Energy in June 2024. The Education portfolio was held by Dharmendra Pradhan since July 2021, who had also been tasked with implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Education Ministry: Structure and Context
The Ministry of Education (MoE) is one of the oldest ministries of the Government of India. It was originally established as the Ministry of Education in 1947 and was renamed the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) in 1985 before reverting to its original name in 2020 following the announcement of NEP 2020.
The ministry functions through two main departments:
| Department | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Department of School Education and Literacy | School education, universalisation of education, mid day meal scheme, teacher training |
| Department of Higher Education | University education, technical education, scholarships, regulation of higher education institutions |
Key autonomous bodies under the ministry include the National Testing Agency (NTA), established in November 2017 as an autonomous testing organisation headquartered in Okhla, New Delhi, responsible for conducting major entrance exams including NEET, JEE, and UGC NET. The University Grants Commission (UGC) was established in 1956 as a statutory body for coordinating and maintaining standards of higher education. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was established in 1961 for curriculum development and research in school education, while the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) dates back to 1945 as the statutory body for technical education.
The implementation of NEP 2020 remains the ministry’s most significant ongoing task. The policy, approved by the Union Cabinet on July 29, 2020, replaced the National Policy on Education of 1986 after 34 years and introduces the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, multidisciplinary education, and the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
The Road Ahead: Challenges for the New Minister
Joshi takes charge of the Education Ministry at a defining moment. The NEET controversy has severely dented public confidence in the examination system, and restoring credibility is his most immediate priority. The government has already announced the transition to a computer based test format for NEET from 2027 and a comprehensive overhaul of the NTA’s operational framework, including stricter protocols for question paper handling and enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Beyond examination reforms, Joshi will need to drive the ongoing implementation of NEP 2020, which requires coordinated action across both school and higher education departments. Key pending tasks include the rollout of the National Credit Framework, operationalisation of the Academic Bank of Credits, establishment of multidisciplinary education and research universities (MERUs), and the implementation of the four year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP).
The new minister’s experience in steering complex legislation through Parliament as the former Parliamentary Affairs Minister may prove valuable in securing the approvals and financial allocations needed for these education reforms. His additional portfolios in Consumer Affairs and Renewable Energy mean he will be balancing a heavy cross sector workload.
Key Takeaways
- Pralhad Joshi assumed additional charge as the Union Minister of Education on July 26, 2026, succeeding Dharmendra Pradhan who resigned over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
- Joshi is a five time Lok Sabha MP from the Dharwad constituency of Karnataka, first elected in 2004.
- He previously served as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal, and Mines (2019-2024) and currently holds the portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy.
- The National Testing Agency (NTA), established in November 2017, conducted the controversial NEET-UG 2026 exam and is headquartered in Okhla, New Delhi.
- The Ministry of Education was originally established in 1947, renamed the Ministry of HRD in 1985, and restored to its original name in 2020.
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, approved on July 29, 2020, replaced the National Policy on Education of 1986 and introduces the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure.
