Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been given the additional charge of the Education Ministry following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Education Minister after a massive Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest at Jantar Mantar.
“….as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Shri Pralhad Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his existing portfolio,” a press communique from Rashtrapati Bhavan read.
The development comes hours after Education Minister Pradhan tendered his resignation in view of the Jantar Mantar protest over the NEET paper leak and the linked suicides of over 20 aspirants.
Who is Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi?
The 64-year-old is currently the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.
Joshi is one of the most prominent faces of the BJP in Karnataka, representing the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency.
He had earlier served as the Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs between 2019 and 2024
He was born into a traditional Brahmin family in Karnataka’s Bijapur on November 27, 1962. He has been married to Jyothi Joshi since 1992, and the couple has three children.
Joshi joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at a young age and played a key role in organising a movement to hoist the national flag at the Idgah Maidan in Hubli between 1992 and 1994.
He later joined the BJP and made his electoral debut in 1996 when he was elected to the Karnataka Assembly.
Joshi was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Dharwad in 2004. He has since retained the seat, winning it consecutively in the 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024 general elections.
What Joshi said on Pradhan’s resignation?
Reacting to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, Pralhad Joshi said that the former had an illustrious political career and hailed his commitment to the development of the nation.
“His tenure witnessed the successful implementation of NEP 2020 along with over 100 big and small reforms in the field of education. Placing larger interest above everything else, Shri Pradhan Ji’s decision to step down does not in anyway stop in him contributing to the Nation development,” he said on X.
Joshi further added, “Our paths will cross again in the line of development of the Nation.”