Senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi, replacing Dharmendra Pradhan, who resigned on Saturday, has been appointed with additional responsibilities in the Union Education Ministry to take moral responsibility for the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy.His appointment comes as the ministry faces some major changes over exam conduct irregularities. Apart from the Education Ministry, Joshi will continue to handle the other ministries he previously managed, namely the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Food and Public Distribution and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.Shortly after taking on the additional responsibilities, Joshi said he accepted the role with a “sense of responsibility and humility” and pledged to work towards further strengthening India’s education system.
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“I accept this responsibility with a sense of responsibility and humility. I am grateful to the Prime Minister. In the past four-five years, Dharmendra Pradhan has implemented the National Education Policy and several important initiatives. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, I will do my best to discharge my responsibilities with dedication,” he said.
Pralhad Joshi’s Educational Qualification
Pralhad Joshi was born on November 27, 1962 in Bijapur, Karnataka and completed his early education in Hubballi. He received his primary education at the Railway School and then his secondary education at the New English School.On the higher education front, Joshi graduated from Shri Kadasiddheshwar Art College, Hubballi, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He had been associated with business circles before joining politics full-time and later became a prominent BJP leader in Karnataka.
political career
Joshi is a five-time Lok Sabha member of Karnataka’s Dharwad constituency and has represented the seat since 2004. Over the years, he has held many important positions in the party and coalition governments.From 2019 to 2024, he served as Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines. After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he has been assigned the portfolio of consumer affairs, food and public distribution and new and renewable energy sectors.As Renewable Energy Minister, he oversees the government’s major 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 public is not convinced, and the government is facing widespread criticism of the education system from all sides. Josh is leading the Department of Education during such difficult times. At the same time, the government has decided to introduce a series of major changes, such as merging the National Testing Agency (NTA), improving safeguards to prevent question paper leaks and changing the NEET exam to a computer-based format from 2027.As education minister, Joshi will be responsible for implementing these reforms, overseeing the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) and rebuilding public confidence in India’s examination system.His appointment as minister is a significant change in the leadership of the ministry, mainly because the ministry is facing one of the most difficult times ever in the Indian education sector.