Pralhad Joshi takes charge as Union education minister

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday assumed charge as the Union Education Minister, taking over the additional responsibility following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan amid nationwide protests over alleged examination paper leaks.

The appointment comes at a time when the Education Ministry has been under intense public and political scrutiny due to widespread student protests demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in various competitive examinations.

The President's Secretariat confirmed the development through an official communique issued on Saturday.

According to the communique, President Droupadi Murmu, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect. The resignation was accepted under Article 75(2) of the Constitution.

The President has simultaneously assigned Pralhad Joshi, who currently serves as the Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, the additional charge of the Ministry of Education. He will continue to oversee his existing portfolio while heading the Education Ministry.

Pradhan's resignation marks a significant change in the Union Cabinet, as he had been leading the Education Ministry during a period of heightened student unrest over alleged paper leaks and examination-related controversies.

On Saturday, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leader Saurav Das, addressing a joint press conference, appealed to students to end their protests and return home, stating that the government had accepted all the key demands raised by the agitating students.

With Joshi assuming the additional responsibility, the government aims to ensure the smooth functioning of the Education Ministry without any administrative disruption.

Officials said the interim arrangement has been made to maintain continuity in the Ministry's operations while the government decides on a long-term leadership structure.

The President's communique clarified that the changes took effect immediately, enabling a seamless transition in the ministry's functioning.

The constitutional process followed the provisions of Article 75(2), which governs the appointment and resignation of ministers in the Union Council of Ministers. By accepting Pradhan's resignation and simultaneously assigning the Education portfolio to Joshi, the President formalised both the Cabinet reshuffle and the interim administrative arrangement.

Further announcements regarding any permanent restructuring of the Ministry of Education are expected in the coming days.

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