Pralhad Joshi takes charge as education minister, holds first meeting after Pradhan's resignation
New Delhi: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi officially took charge of the Ministry of Education at Kartavya Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday and chaired his first review meeting with senior ministry officials.
Joshi, who already handles the portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy, reviewed the implementation of key schemes and initiatives under the Education Ministry.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, Higher Education Secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, School Education and Literacy Secretary T. K. Anil Kumar, and other senior officials.
Pralhad Joshi replaces Dharmendra Pradhan
Joshi was assigned additional charge of the Education Ministry after President Droupadi Murmu accepted Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect.
According to the Rashtrapati Bhavan statement, the decision was taken following the Prime Minister's advice under Article 75(2) of the Constitution. Joshi will continue handling his existing ministerial responsibilities along with the education portfolio.
Pradhan's resignation came after weeks of protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including demands for accountability and reforms in the examination system.
The meeting focused on:
- Reviewing ongoing education programmes and initiatives managed by the Ministry of Education.
- Assessing the implementation status of key schemes related to school and higher education.
- Taking updates from senior officials on the functioning of the ministry and its departments.
- Understanding policy priorities and administrative matters after assuming charge.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, Higher Education Secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, School Education and Literacy Secretary T. K. Anil Kumar, and other senior officials.
CJP ends 37-day Jantar Mantar protest
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) ended its 37-day protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar after talks with the Centre following Pradhan's resignation.
The organisation had made Pradhan's resignation a key demand during its agitation over examination-related issues. The protest was called off after a meeting between CJP representatives and Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh at the Constitution Club in New Delhi.
The CJP said it withdrew the protest "in good faith" after the government accepted its main demand and provided assurances on other issues raised during the agitation.
Joshi's statement after taking charge
After assuming office, Pralhad Joshi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for assigning him the responsibility and said he accepted the role with humility and a sense of duty.
Joshi is a Lok Sabha member from Dharwad, Karnataka. Before taking charge of the Education Ministry, he served as the Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs.
The change in leadership at the Education Ministry comes amid continued debate over examination transparency, student protests, and demands for reforms in India's competitive examination system.