NEW DELHI: Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday was given additional charge of the Ministry of Education after President Droupadi Murmu accepted Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation from the Union Council of Ministers. Pradhan stepped down following weeks of nationwide student-led protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities.Who is Pralhad Joshi?

• Pralhad Joshi is a senior BJP leader from Karnataka and a five-time Lok Sabha MP from the Dharwad constituency.
• Pralhad Joshi currently serves as the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Minister of New and Renewable Energy.
• On Saturday, Pralhad Joshi was given additional charge of the Ministry of Education after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.
• Pralhad Joshi previously held the portfolios of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs in the Union government.
• Pralhad Joshi has been spearheading the Centre’s clean energy push, aiming to achieve 500 GW of renewable and non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070.
• Pralhad Joshi has overseen flagship initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM, and offshore wind energy projects.
• Pralhad Joshi has also driven policy measures, including annual bids for 50 GW of renewable energy capacity, to accelerate India’s transition to clean energy.
• Pralhad Joshi appointment comes at a critical juncture, with the Education Ministry undertaking major reforms following the NEET-UG controversy.

“The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India. Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Shri Pralhad Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his existing portfolio,” an official release by Rashtrapati Bhavan stated.