Pralhad Joshi Takes Additional Charge as Union Education Minister After Dharmendra Pradhan Steps Down

New Delhi: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday assumed charge as the Union Education Minister, taking over the portfolio after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid nationwide protests over alleged examination paper leaks.

Joshi, who continues to serve as the Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, has been entrusted with the additional responsibility to ensure the smooth functioning of the Education Ministry during the transition.

The change comes at a time when the ministry is facing intense public and political scrutiny following widespread student protests over alleged irregularities in several competitive examinations.

The President's Secretariat, in an official communiqué issued on Saturday, said President Droupadi Murmu accepted Pradhan's resignation from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The resignation was accepted under Article 75(2) of the Constitution.

The communiqué also announced that Pralhad Joshi would hold the additional charge of the Ministry of Education while continuing to manage his existing portfolio.

Pradhan's exit marks a significant reshuffle in the Union Cabinet, as he had been heading the Education Ministry during a period marked by mounting protests and demands for accountability over alleged paper leaks.

On Saturday, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leader Saurav Das, addressing a joint press conference, urged protesting students to end their agitation and return home, stating that the government had accepted all the major demands raised by them.

Officials said assigning the Education portfolio to Joshi is an interim arrangement aimed at maintaining continuity in the ministry's functioning until a decision is taken on its permanent leadership.

The President's communiqué confirmed that the changes took effect immediately, ensuring a seamless administrative transition. Further announcements regarding the long-term leadership of the Education Ministry are expected in the coming days.

With inputs from IANS