Pralhad Joshi named new education minister; Prez Murmu accepts Pradhan's resignation

NEW DELHI: BJP leader Pralhad Joshi was on Saturday appointed as the new Union education minister, hours after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.Pradhan resigned taking moral responsibility for the NEET-UG paper leak controversy that triggered weeks of nationwide student protests. His resignation was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu. Joshi, the Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka's Dharwad constituency also hold the portfolios of new and renewable energy and consumer affairs, food and public distribution. A five-time MP, he has previously served as the Union minister for coal, mines and parliamentary affairs.As the minister for new and renewable energy, Joshi has been leading the Centre's efforts to expand clean energy capacity, with a focus on achieving 500 GW of renewable and non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070. He has overseen key initiatives including the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM scheme and offshore wind energy projects, while pushing for annual bids for 50 GW of renewable energy capacity and other policy measures to boost the sector.His appointment comes at a crucial time as the education ministry implements sweeping reforms following the NEET-UG controversy, including the restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA), stricter anti-paper leak measures and a shift to computer-based testing for NEET from 2027.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.