Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been assigned the additional responsibility of the Ministry of Education after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. This move comes amidst widespread protests over exam paper leaks. President Droupadi Murmu, on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accepted Pradhan’s resignation under Article 75(2) of the Constitution.
The President has entrusted Pralhad Joshi with overseeing the Education Ministry while he continues to handle his current role as the Minister of Food and Consumer Affairs. Pradhan’s exit signifies a significant change in the Union Cabinet, especially as he was leading the Education Ministry during a period of student unrest due to alleged paper leaks. The protests had drawn attention and criticism towards the Ministry from the public and political spheres.
In a joint press conference, Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Cockroach Janata Party leader Saurav Das appealed to the protesting students to end their demonstrations and return home, stating that the government has addressed all their demands. Pralhad Joshi, a seasoned Cabinet Minister, will now manage the Union Education Ministry alongside his existing responsibilities in the Food and Consumer Affairs sector. This dual role aims to ensure the smooth functioning of the Education Ministry without interruptions.
The official communique from the President emphasized that the change is effective immediately, ensuring a seamless transition to the new arrangement. The constitutional process, as per Article 75(2), was followed in accepting Pradhan’s resignation and appointing Pralhad Joshi. This formalizes both Pradhan’s departure and Joshi’s interim leadership. Any future restructuring of the Education Ministry will be disclosed in the coming days.
