Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been appointed India's new Education Minister after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Council of Ministers amid weeks of protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. Joshi will hold the education portfolio in addition to his existing ministries.
President Droupadi Murmu accepted Pradhan's resignation with immediate effect on Saturday, July 25. Joshi's appointment was announced later the same day.
In his resignation letter, Pradhan said he was stepping down while taking moral responsibility for the challenges facing the education sector. He expressed hope that his decision would help restore public confidence and allow education reforms to continue without further disruption to students.
The resignation comes after weeks of nationwide protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which had demanded Pradhan's resignation and reforms following the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. The demonstrations, which began in Delhi, later spread to several cities, including Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Patna and Ahmedabad.
Following the announcement, the CJP said it was calling off its nationwide protests with immediate effect. The organisation stated that the government had agreed to consider several of its demands, including discussions on examination reforms and compensation for families of students affected by the controversy.
Pralhad Joshi currently serves as the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy. He will continue to hold these portfolios while assuming charge of the Education Ministry.
The government is expected to continue discussions on examination reforms in the coming weeks, while attention now shifts to Joshi's handling of the Education Ministry and the implementation of measures proposed following the NEET controversy.
