Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pralhad Joshi has been appointed as India's new Union Education Minister after President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Joshi has been given the additional charge of the Education Ministry while continuing to handle his existing portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.
Early life and education
Born on November 27, 1962, in Karnataka's Vijayapura district, Pralhad Joshi completed his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from K.S. Arts College, Hubballi, affiliated with Karnataka University, Dharwad, in 1983. Before entering active politics, he was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from a young age.
Political journey
Joshi has represented the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency since 2004, making him a five-time Member of Parliament. Over the years, he has built a reputation as an experienced parliamentarian and organisational leader within the BJP.
He previously served as the Karnataka BJP president and has held several key parliamentary responsibilities, including serving on the Panel of Chairpersons in the Lok Sabha.
Ministerial experience
Pralhad Joshi has held several important portfolios in the Narendra Modi government. Between 2019 and 2024, he served as the Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs. Following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he was entrusted with the ministries of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy.
VIDEO | Delhi: After being appointed as Education Minister following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation from the post, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi says, "I have just got to know that the Prime Minister has given me a responsibility. I accept this responsibility with a sense of… pic.twitter.com/o9LnWvjuOI
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 25, 2026
With his latest appointment, Joshi has now also taken charge of the Ministry of Education, making him responsible for steering the government's education policies at a time when the ministry is under intense public scrutiny.
Appointment amid NEET controversy
Joshi's appointment comes after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Education Minister following nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. The government has tasked the senior BJP leader with restoring confidence in the education system and overseeing reforms in one of the country's most closely watched ministries.
