New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Union Minister Prahlad Joshi officially assumed charge of the Ministry of Education on Sunday, stepping into the role after former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Cabinet amid the nationwide controversy surrounding the NEET paper leak.
Joshi will continue to handle his existing responsibilities as Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, while additionally overseeing the Education Ministry during a critical period for the sector.
The leadership change follows days of protests across several parts of the country, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) along with student groups demanding accountability and sweeping reforms in the country’s examination system. The demonstrations intensified pressure on the Centre, ultimately culminating in Pradhan’s resignation.
In his resignation letter, Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the issue was never about holding on to office or protecting personal reputation. He said the developments of the past several days had deeply affected him and that he believed stepping aside was the appropriate decision under the circumstances.
With Joshi now at the helm, the Education Ministry is expected to focus on restoring public confidence in competitive examinations while addressing concerns raised by students and education stakeholders.
Officials indicated that the new minister has assumed office at a time when the government is preparing to review existing examination mechanisms and implement measures aimed at strengthening transparency and credibility in the recruitment and admission process.
The transition in leadership comes as the Centre continues consultations on reforms related to public examinations, with expectations that the ministry will work closely with relevant agencies to prevent future irregularities and reinforce the integrity of national entrance tests.
Joshi’s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Education Ministry, which now faces the challenge of balancing immediate crisis management with long-term structural reforms in India’s examination framework.
