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Pralhad Joshi Appointed New Education Minister of India

By the Gagariya desk · 26 Jul 2026 IST · 2 min read

Obverse of the 10 Rupees silver coin of 1972, commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Independence (1947—1972), featuring male and female figures standing (the man carrying Indian Na
Photo: Billjones94 — BY-SA 4.0, via Openverse

The Transition in the Ministry

The cabinet shuffle reached a definitive conclusion when President Droupadi Murmu formally accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, clearing the path for Pralhad Joshi to step in as the new Union Education Minister. The transition arrived in the wake of high-profile, youth-led protests that had captured national attention. With the change in leadership, those demonstrations have officially been called off.

Understanding the New Leadership

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Pralhad Joshi is a seasoned political figure, currently serving his fifth term as a Member of Parliament. Known for his deep roots within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS, Joshi brings significant parliamentary experience to the education portfolio. While he steps into this role, it is confirmed that he will hold the position as an additional charge, balancing it alongside his existing cabinet responsibilities.

Recent Context of the Resignation

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The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan was met with significant public reaction. In the days leading up to his exit, youth protesters—who had self-identified as 'Cockroaches'—had been staging sustained demonstrations. Following the announcement of his resignation, these protesters declared victory and brought their agitation to an end. The shift at the top of the ministry has, for the moment, settled the immediate friction between the government and these protesting groups.

Position Status
Former Minister Dharmendra Pradhan (Resigned)
New Minister Pralhad Joshi (Appointed)
Protest Status Called off

What Comes Next

All eyes are now on how the ministry will navigate the challenges inherited from the previous tenure. As a five-time MP, Joshi is expected to bring a steady hand to the department, though he will have to contend with the grievances that fueled the recent wave of student activism. We are watching to see how he balances his existing ministerial duties with the demands of the education sector, which remains a critical focus for the government in the coming months.

Questions people ask

Who is the new Education Minister of India?
Pralhad Joshi has been appointed as the new Union Education Minister of India. He is a five-time Member of Parliament and has taken over the role following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.
Why did the previous Education Minister resign?
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his position as Education Minister following a period of sustained, youth-led protests. While the specific reasons for his resignation within the government structure were not detailed, his exit coincided with the conclusion of these public demonstrations.
What happens to the protests after the resignation?
The youth-led protests, which were active during the tenure of the previous minister, have officially been called off. The protesters, who had identified themselves as 'Cockroaches', claimed victory following the resignation and subsequently ended their agitation.

Sources

  1. Pralhad Joshi named new education minister after Prez Murmu accepts Pradhan's resignation
  2. Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns: Who Are Potential Candidates To Become New Education Minister In India?
  3. India’s ‘Cockroach’ youth call off protests after education minister quits
  4. Modi's education minister quits as jubilant Indian youth protesters claim victory, end protest
  5. India: Cockroaches end protest after minister resigns

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