Senior BJP leader from Karnataka and Union minister for food and consumer affairs Pralhad Joshi was on Saturday assigned additional charge of the Ministry of Education after President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers.

This comes days after the protest by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding accountability for the NEET paper leak and called for Pradhan’s resignation. Pradhan eventually stepped down on Saturday morning.

Joshi, who currently serves as the Union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution and the minister for new and renewable energy, will now oversee the education ministry in addition to his existing responsibilities.

The change in the education ministry comes after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Union education minister. His resignation was accepted by the President with immediate effect, paving the way for Joshi to take over the portfolio.

Joshi assumes charge at a crucial juncture for the education sector, with the Centre expected to focus on restoring confidence in the examination system and carrying forward ongoing reforms in school and higher education.

Profile: Prahlad Joshi

A five-time Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka’s Dharwad constituency, Pralhad Joshi, 63, holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from K.S. Arts College, Hubballi, affiliated with Karnataka University, Dharwad. He completed his schooling at the Railway School and New English School in Hubballi before graduating in 1983. Born on November 27, 1962, in Vijayapura, Karnataka, Joshi was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from a young age and was active in social and public issues before entering full-time politics. Prior to his political career, he was also engaged in business.

Joshi’s political career spans over three decades. He rose through the BJP organisation, serving as president of the Dharwad district unit (1995–98), general secretary of the Karnataka BJP, and later as state BJP president from 2013 to 2016. Elected to the Lok Sabha from Dharwad for the first time in 2004, he has since won five consecutive terms.

Between 2019 and 2024, he served as Union minister for parliamentary affairs, coal and mines in the Narendra Modi government. Following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he was entrusted with the portfolios of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, and new and renewable energy.

Also read: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over NEET paper leak row