Dharmendra Pradhan: From student politics to Union Minister, then resignation

New Delhi: Dharmendra Pradhan's political career has spanned more than three decades, taking him from student politics in Odisha to the Union Cabinet. His resignation as Union Education Minister on Saturday came amid nationwide protests over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks, bringing renewed attention to his long political journey.

Born on June 26, 1969, in Talcher, Odisha, Pradhan is the son of former Union minister and BJP leader Debendra Pradhan and Basant Manjari Pradhan. He completed his higher education in Odisha and earned a master's degree in Anthropology from Utkal University.

From student politics to the BJP

Pradhan began his political journey through the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) while studying at Talcher College. He became president of the Talcher College Students' Union in 1985.

He went on to take up several responsibilities within the ABVP, serving as its Odisha state secretary in 1993 and national secretary in 1995. He later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1998.

His early political career also saw him take up organisational responsibilities in the BJP. In 2001, he became president of the BJP's youth wing in Odisha and was appointed national secretary of the party the following year.

Entry into electoral politics

Pradhan entered electoral politics in Odisha, winning the Pallahara Assembly constituency in 2000 and serving as a member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly until 2004.

In 2004, he entered national politics after being elected to the 14th Lok Sabha from Deogarh in Odisha. During his parliamentary career, he served on several committees, including those dealing with petitions, energy and government assurances.

He was also associated with a Joint Parliamentary Committee that examined issues related to the allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum.

Pradhan later served as a Rajya Sabha member and continued to hold key organisational responsibilities within the BJP. He returned to the Lok Sabha after being elected from Sambalpur in the 2024 general election.

Rise in the Union government

Pradhan became part of the Narendra Modi-led Union government in 2014, initially handling the Petroleum and Natural Gas portfolio as Minister of State (Independent Charge).

In 2017, he was elevated to the Union Cabinet and took charge as Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He also held the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship portfolio.

From 2019 to 2021, he served as Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas as well as Minister of Steel.

A major shift in his ministerial career came in July 2021, when he was appointed Union Education Minister, while also handling the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship portfolio.

After returning to the Lok Sabha in 2024, Pradhan continued as Union Cabinet Minister for Education.

Tenure as Education Minister

As Education Minister, Pradhan was responsible for overseeing the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and dealing with several major issues concerning India's education system.

His tenure, however, also came under political scrutiny amid allegations of irregularities and paper leaks in competitive examinations. Opposition parties and student groups repeatedly demanded his resignation, particularly during protests linked to the NEET-UG examination.

His resignation on Saturday came against the backdrop of these nationwide protests and growing political pressure over the examination system.

Pradhan has also received the Utkalmani Gopabandhu Pratibha Sanman, described as the best legislative award of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

Personal life

Pradhan’s wife is Mridula Thakur Pradhan. Their marriage took place on December 9, 1998. The couple has two children, a daughter and a son.