Pralhad Joshi gets Education Ministry charge as Dharmendra Pradhan quits
Synopsis
Dharmendra Pradhan's exit from the Education Ministry — accepted by President Murmu under Article 75(2) on 25 July — is a direct political consequence of the exam paper leak protests that gripped the country. Pralhad Joshi now holds a dual portfolio, but the government's bigger challenge is restoring student trust, not just filling a ministerial chair.
Key Takeaways
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on 25 July , with the resignation accepted by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 75(2) .
Pralhad Joshi has been assigned additional charge of the Ministry of Education while retaining his portfolio as Union Minister of Food and Consumer Affairs .
The reshuffle was triggered by widespread student protests over alleged examination paper leaks .
Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Janata Party leader Saurav Das urged students to end protests, saying all demands had been accepted.
Officials said the dual-charge arrangement is intended to ensure continuity; a permanent restructuring is expected to be announced later.
Union Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi was on Saturday, 25 July assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of Education after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect. President Droupadi Murmu, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accepted Pradhan's resignation under Article 75(2) of the Constitution. The change comes amid sustained student protests over alleged examination paper leaks.
The Resignation and Constitutional Process
The President's office formalised the transition through an official communique issued on Saturday. The resignation was accepted under Article 75(2), which governs the tenure of Union Ministers and their exit from the Council of Ministers. Both the acceptance of Pradhan's resignation and the assignment of additional charge to Joshi were effected simultaneously, ensuring no administrative gap.
Pralhad Joshi's Dual Portfolio
Pralhad Joshi, a senior Union Cabinet Minister, will now oversee the Ministry of Education in addition to his existing responsibilities as Union Minister of Food and Consumer Affairs. Officials indicated the dual-charge arrangement is designed to maintain continuity in the Education Ministry's functioning without disruption while a longer-term arrangement is worked out. Further details on any permanent restructuring are expected to be announced in due course.
Background: Exam Paper Leak Protests
Pradhan's tenure at the Education Ministry had come under intense public and political scrutiny following widespread student unrest over alleged paper leaks in various national examinations. The protests gathered momentum across several states, placing the Ministry at the centre of a politically charged controversy. His resignation marks a significant reshuffle triggered directly by that pressure.
Government's Response to Protesters
At a joint press conference held on Saturday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Janata Party leader Saurav Das appealed to students to end their demonstrations and return home, stating that the government had accepted all their demands. The government's move to change the ministerial guard at Education is widely seen as a direct response to the scale of the protests.
Point of View
Which means the government is buying time, not solving the problem. The real test will be whether structural reforms to the examination system follow, or whether the ministerial change is treated as sufficient accountability.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign as Education Minister?
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid widespread student protests over alleged paper leaks in national examinations, which had placed the Education Ministry under intense public and political scrutiny. His resignation was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 75(2) of the Constitution on 25 July.
Who has been given charge of the Education Ministry after Pradhan's resignation?
Union Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi has been assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of Education. He will hold this responsibility alongside his existing portfolio as Union Minister of Food and Consumer Affairs.
What is Article 75(2) of the Constitution?
Article 75(2) of the Indian Constitution governs the tenure of Union Ministers and the process by which they hold office at the pleasure of the President. It is the constitutional provision under which ministerial resignations are formally accepted.
What did the government say about the student protests?
Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Janata Party leader Saurav Das, at a joint press conference on Saturday, urged students to end their protests and return home, stating that the government had accepted all their demands.
Is Pralhad Joshi's appointment as Education Minister permanent?
No. The arrangement is explicitly described as an additional charge to ensure continuity, with officials indicating it is an interim measure. Further details on any long-term or permanent restructuring of the Education Ministry are expected to be announced in due course.
