Pralhad Joshi takes charge of Education Ministry, cites PM Modi's trust
Synopsis
Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation from the Education Ministry — accepted by President Murmu under Article 75(2) — marks one of the more consequential cabinet exits of Modi's third term. Pralhad Joshi, handed a dual portfolio under political fire, now faces the immediate test of restoring credibility to an examination system that triggered nationwide student protests.
Key Takeaways
Pralhad Joshi assumed additional charge of the Ministry of Education on Sunday, 27 July , retaining his Food and Consumer Affairs portfolio.
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Council of Ministers; President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation under Article 75(2) of the Constitution.
The reshuffle was triggered by nationwide student protests over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in competitive examinations.
Joshi held continuous internal review meetings from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on his first day to understand the portfolio.
PM Modi is credited with personally placing trust in Joshi for the sensitive assignment, according to Joshi's own statement.
Pralhad Joshi assumed additional charge of the Ministry of Education on Sunday, 27 July, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had 'placed full trust' in him by assigning the new responsibility. Joshi, who continues to serve as Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, immediately held back-to-back internal reviews spanning over five hours to familiarise himself with the education portfolio.
Why Joshi Was Brought In
The reshuffle follows the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers, accepted by President Droupadi Murmu on the advice of Prime Minister Modi under Article 75(2) of the Constitution. An official communique from the President's Secretariat confirmed the development on Saturday. Pradhan's exit came amid mounting pressure over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, which triggered nationwide student protests demanding accountability from the ministry.
What Joshi Said After Taking Charge
Speaking to reporters after assuming office, Joshi said, 'The Honourable Prime Minister has placed full trust and given me this responsibility. I was in Karnataka yesterday, reached here at night, and came here this morning to take charge and handle the portfolio.'
On the steep learning curve ahead, he added, 'All details, whatever we need to see, make decisions on, gather information about, I have tried to understand the entire ministry. From roughly 10:00 am until 3:00 pm, I held continuous meetings. The subject is new to me, so after fully understanding it, I will talk to you in detail.'
In a post on X, Joshi wrote, 'Today, I assumed charge as the Union Minister for Education. I am grateful to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for placing his faith in me and entrusting me with this responsibility. I accept it with humility and a deep sense of duty.'
The Examination Controversy Behind the Reshuffle
Pradhan's tenure at the Education Ministry coincided with a period of acute student unrest over alleged paper leaks and examination-related controversies across several competitive tests. The protests intensified public and political scrutiny of the ministry, ultimately making his position untenable. This is among the more consequential mid-term cabinet changes of Prime Minister Modi's third term, reflecting the political weight the government has attached to resolving the examination integrity crisis.
Dual Portfolio and What Comes Next
Joshi will simultaneously oversee Food and Consumer Affairs and the Education Ministry — a dual mandate that observers note places significant administrative demands on a single minister. He has indicated he will speak in greater detail once he has completed a thorough review of the portfolio. All eyes are now on whether the new minister will announce structural reforms to the examination oversight framework to address the grievances that drove Pradhan's resignation.
Point of View
Not a structural fix. The examination integrity crisis that forced Pradhan out is institutional — it predates any single minister and will not be resolved by a change of face alone. The real question is whether the new minister will push for an independent oversight body for competitive examinations, something successive governments have resisted. Joshi's candid admission that 'the subject is new to me' is refreshingly honest, but it also signals that substantive policy decisions are weeks away at minimum — time the protesting students may not be willing to give.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign as Education Minister?
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid intense public and political pressure following widespread student protests over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in competitive examinations. President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation on the advice of PM Modi under Article 75(2) of the Constitution.
Who is the new Education Minister of India?
Pralhad Joshi, currently the Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, has been given additional charge of the Ministry of Education. He assumed office on Sunday, 27 July, and will hold both portfolios simultaneously.
What did Pralhad Joshi say after taking charge of the Education Ministry?
Joshi said PM Modi had 'placed full trust' in him with the new responsibility. He also noted he held continuous meetings from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on his first day and would speak in detail after fully understanding the portfolio.
What is the examination controversy that led to this cabinet change?
The Education Ministry faced nationwide student protests over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in multiple competitive examinations. The unrest put Dharmendra Pradhan's position under sustained scrutiny, eventually leading to his resignation.
Will Pralhad Joshi continue as Food and Consumer Affairs Minister?
Yes. Joshi retains his existing Food and Consumer Affairs portfolio while also heading the Education Ministry as an additional charge, as confirmed by the President's Secretariat communique.
