New Delhi: Senior BJP leader Prahlad Joshi officially assumed charge as the Union Minister for Education on Sunday, a day after he was entrusted with the additional responsibility by the Central government following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.
Joshi, who will continue to serve as the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has now taken over the Education Ministry at a time when the government is facing intense scrutiny over the NEET paper leak controversy and demands for reforms in the examination system.
The change in leadership comes after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from the Cabinet on Saturday amid sustained nationwide protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student groups seeking accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
In his resignation letter, Pradhan stated that holding office was never about personal honour or position. He acknowledged being deeply troubled by the developments of the past several days and said he had chosen to resign in the larger interest of addressing public concerns.
The protests, which gained momentum over the past few weeks, called for Pradhan’s removal and broader reforms in the country’s public examination system. The demonstrations also led to extensive political debate, with opposition parties demanding greater transparency and accountability from the Centre.
After taking charge, Joshi is expected to oversee the ministry’s immediate response to the examination controversy while working on measures aimed at restoring confidence in the country’s education and recruitment systems.
Officials said the transition was completed smoothly, with the new minister beginning his responsibilities soon after assuming office. His appointment is being seen as a significant step as the government prepares to address pending policy issues and implement commitments made during discussions with student representatives.
The Education Ministry now faces the twin challenge of ensuring the smooth conduct of future examinations while rebuilding public trust in the integrity of the country’s competitive testing framework.
