Prahlad Joshi Given Additional Charge of Education Ministry After Pradhan’s Resignation

NEW DELHI, July 26: Union Minister Prahlad Joshi was on Saturday assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of Education following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Cabinet. Joshi, who currently heads the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, will now also oversee the Education Ministry until further orders. According to a communiqué issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu accepted Pradhan’s resignation with immediate effect on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The President also approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation to entrust Prahlad Joshi with the additional responsibility of the Education Ministry alongside his existing portfolio. Pradhan stepped down earlier in the day amid mounting nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Student groups had intensified demonstrations demanding accountability and his resignation. In his resignation statement, Pradhan said the issue was never about “individual prestige” and expressed concern over the developments of the past several days. He maintained that the interests of students and the integrity of the education system must remain paramount. Joshi’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Centre faces growing demands for reforms in the examination system and stricter measures to prevent paper leaks. The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process while initiating steps to strengthen safeguards against future irregularities.