45 minutes agoAuthor: Anjali Rajgovind
![Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, aged 63, has been appointed the new Union Education Minister. [Photo credits: PTI] - Bhaskar English](https://images.bhaskarassets.com/web2images/1884/2026/07/25/deccanherald2026-05-048046bhnqfile7ykacl6t88ovnf7p_1784991690.jpg)
Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, aged 63, has been appointed the new Union Education Minister. [Photo credits: PTI]
The Centre on Saturday, 25 July 2026, appointed Union Minister Pralhad Joshi as the new Education Minister after President Droupadi Murmu accepted Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Joshi will hold the portfolio in addition to his existing responsibilities as Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.
Early life and education
- Full name: Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi
- Date of birth: 27 November 1962
- Age: 63
- Birthplace: Vijayapura (then Bijapur), Karnataka
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from Shri Kadasiddheshwar Arts College, Hubballi
- Began public life through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) before joining the BJP.
Political career
- Elected to the Lok Sabha from Karnataka’s Dharwad constituency for the first time in 2004.
- Has retained the seat in every general election since, making him a six-time MP.
- Served as Karnataka BJP president between 2012 and 2016.
- Built a reputation within the party for organisation-building and parliamentary management.
- Has been a key strategist for the BJP in Karnataka and southern India.
Ministerial responsibilities
- Served as Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines between 2019 and 2024 in the second Narendra Modi government.
- Since June 2024, has been Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.
- Frequently represented the government during Parliament sessions and coordinated legislative business across ministries.
- Will now additionally oversee the Ministry of Education.
Challenges before the new Education Minister
- Joshi takes charge at a crucial time for the Education Ministry.
- The ministry has faced criticism over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, particularly the NEET paper leak controversy.
- Restoring public confidence in the National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to be among his top priorities.
- He is also likely to oversee reforms in the conduct of national entrance examinations and strengthen examination security.
- Implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and coordination with states on higher education reforms will remain key responsibilities.
Why his appointment matters
- Joshi is considered one of the BJP’s most experienced organisational leaders and parliamentary managers.
- His appointment suggests the government is relying on an experienced troubleshooter to stabilise the Education Ministry after weeks of political turmoil.
- With multiple national entrance examinations scheduled in the coming months, his immediate focus is expected to be ensuring transparency, accountability and smooth administration across the education system.
- His performance in the coming months is likely to shape both the government’s education agenda and public confidence in India’s examination framework.
