Prahlad Joshi Takes Charge of Education Ministry After Dharmendra Pradhan’s Exit; Faces Tough Task of Restoring Students’ Trust

New Delhi: In a major reshuffle amid the ongoing NEET-UG controversy, senior BJP leader Prahlad Joshi has been given additional charge of the Ministry of Education following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. The decision was approved by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and came into effect immediately.

According to a notification issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan, Pradhan’s resignation has been accepted, and Joshi will now oversee the Education Ministry while continuing to handle the portfolios already under his charge. The move comes at a time when the government is facing mounting pressure over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.

NEET Row Triggered Nationwide Protests

The controversy began after the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3, when allegations of paper leaks and malpractice sparked widespread outrage among students. Questions over the credibility of the examination system soon snowballed into a nationwide movement demanding accountability and reforms.

The issue gained further attention after remarks made during a court hearing on May 15, leading to intense public debate. As student protests intensified, demands for greater transparency in competitive examinations continued to grow.

Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike Intensified Movement

The agitation received a major boost on June 28, when environmentalist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. He demanded a transparent investigation into the alleged paper leaks and systemic reforms in the examination process.

After his health deteriorated, Wangchuk was hospitalised and later ended his fast following written assurances from the government during negotiations.

Political Heat Over NEET

The protests escalated further on July 20, when the CJP organised a march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament. Police stopped the march, leading to clashes that brought the issue back into national focus. Two days later, Rahul Gandhi staged a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence, demanding accountability over the examination controversy.

On July 25, Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Education Minister. Soon after, the President appointed Prahlad Joshi to take over the ministry’s responsibilities. Following the leadership change, the CJP announced the withdrawal of its agitation.

Big Challenge Before Prahlad Joshi

Prahlad Joshi now inherits one of the government’s most challenging portfolios. His immediate priorities will be restoring students’ confidence in the examination system, ensuring greater transparency in competitive exams, preventing future irregularities, and addressing concerns raised by lakhs of aspirants across the country. How effectively he delivers on these expectations will be closely watched in the coming months.