CM Majhi lauds Dharmendra Pradhan's tenure, cites NEP 2020
Synopsis
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi praised Dharmendra Pradhan's tenure as Union Education Minister on 25 July 2026, crediting him with the landmark NEP 2020 and calling his resignation a principled act rooted in high moral values.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi posted a bilingual English-Odia tribute to Dharmendra Pradhan on 25 July 2026 following Pradhan's resignation as Union Minister of Education .
Majhi credited Pradhan with implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 , describing it as a 'historic' reform benefiting 'millions of students.' NEP 2020 was approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2020 , replacing the 1986 education policy, and introduced a 5+3+3+4 curricular framework .
Majhi framed Pradhan's resignation as an act of 'high moral values' and 'unwavering dedication to public service,' consistent with BJP messaging around leadership transitions.
Both Majhi and Pradhan are senior BJP leaders from Odisha , and the tribute signals continued intra-party solidarity within the state unit.
Pradhan's next political or organisational role, and Odisha's timeline for NEP-aligned curriculum changes, remain to be seen.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday, 25 July 2026, paid tribute to Dharmendra Pradhan, praising his record as Union Minister of Education and describing his decision to resign from the post as a reflection of high moral values and principled public service.
Context
In a bilingual post in English and Odia, CM Majhi highlighted Pradhan's role in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, calling it a 'historic' reform that laid 'a strong foundation for the future of millions of students across the nation.' He added, in Odia, that Pradhan brought 'many important reforms to education to strengthen the future of crores of students.' The Chief Minister invoked a blessing from Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, a revered deity in Odisha, expressing confidence in Pradhan's continued success.
Pradhan, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Odisha, served as Union Minister of Education from 2021. Before that portfolio, he held the Petroleum and Natural Gas ministry. Both Majhi and Pradhan are prominent figures within the BJP's Odisha leadership.
Policy Backdrop
The National Education Policy 2020 was approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2020, replacing a policy that had been in place since 1986. It introduced a restructured 5+3+3+4 curricular framework and placed renewed emphasis on mother-tongue-based instruction in early years, among other structural changes. The drafting process for the policy began as far back as 2015.
NEP 2020 has been a flagship initiative of the BJP-led central government, with its rollout across state education departments remaining an ongoing process. Odisha, where the BJP came to power in June 2024 under CM Majhi, is among the states working to align its curriculum with the new framework.
Stakeholders and Impact
The policy's stated beneficiaries are students from primary to higher education levels across India. State education departments bear primary responsibility for implementation, making the cooperation between central and state BJP leadership — as signalled by Majhi's post — politically significant for the rollout in Odisha.
Majhi's tribute also underscores the solidarity within the party's Odia wing. His characterisation of Pradhan's resignation as driven by 'high moral values' and 'unwavering dedication to public service' frames the exit in a positive light, consistent with BJP messaging around cabinet-level transitions that often precede new assignments within the party or government structure.
What's Next
The specific circumstances of Pradhan's resignation from the Education Ministry, and any subsequent portfolio or organisational role he may be assigned, will be closely watched by political observers. For Odisha, the key question is how the state government proceeds with NEP 2020-aligned curriculum changes now that the minister who championed the policy at the national level has stepped down. CM Majhi's public endorsement of Pradhan's legacy suggests the Odisha government intends to continue on that policy path regardless of the transition at the Centre.
Point of View
Such public endorsements from state chief ministers frequently precede a senior leader's reassignment to a new role, suggesting Pradhan's political career is far from over.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign as Education Minister?
The specific reasons for Pradhan's resignation have not been officially detailed. Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi described the decision as driven by 'high moral values' and dedication to public service, framing it as a principled choice rather than a compelled one.
What is NEP 2020 and what did Dharmendra Pradhan do for it?
The National Education Policy 2020 was approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2020 and replaced the 1986 policy. It introduced a 5+3+3+4 curricular framework and mother-tongue instruction emphasis. Pradhan, as Education Minister from 2021, oversaw its implementation across states.
Who is Mohan Charan Majhi?
Mohan Charan Majhi is the Chief Minister of Odisha and a BJP leader who took office in June 2024 after the party won the state assembly elections.
What is the significance of Majhi invoking Mahaprabhu Jagannath in his post?
Lord Jagannath is the presiding deity of Puri, Odisha, and is deeply venerated across the state. Invoking his blessings is a common cultural and religious expression in Odia public life, particularly when wishing someone well at a significant personal or professional juncture.
What happens to NEP 2020 implementation in Odisha after Pradhan's resignation?
Odisha's NEP 2020-aligned curriculum changes are managed by the state education department. CM Majhi's tribute suggests the state government will continue on the reform path, though the timeline for specific changes will depend on the new ministerial direction at the Centre.
