Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25, 2026, amid nationwide protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Hours later, BJP leader Pralhad Joshi was named the new Education Minister of India, as per NDTV and other media reports.
Last Verified: Updated July 25, 2026 as per NDTV / Outlook India / The Week reports. Official PIB notification awaited.
New Education Minister of India: Quick Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Resigned Minister | Dharmendra Pradhan |
| Resignation Date | July 25, 2026 |
| New Minister (as per NDTV) | Pralhad Joshi |
| Reason | NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy and nationwide protests at Jantar Mantar |
| Official Status | PIB notification awaited as of July 25, 2026 |
What is NEET-UG? The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) is the single national entrance exam conducted by the NTA for admission to MBBS, BDS and other medical courses across India.
Why Did Dharmendra Pradhan Resign? NEET Paper Leak Timeline
Dharmendra Pradhan had been serving as India’s Education Minister since July 7, 2021. On July 25, 2026, he submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing the fallout of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy and weeks of student protests centred at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
The controversy traces back to the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3, 2026, for admission to MBBS, BDS and other medical courses. Allegations soon surfaced that a leaked question paper had circulated before the exam, prompting the National Testing Agency (NTA) to cancel the exam and announce a re-test, as detailed in the Re-NEET 2026 NTA notice.
The NEET Re-Exam 21 June update was conducted on June 21, 2026, and results were declared on July 16, 2026. The delay, confusion over counselling, and anger among lakhs of affected aspirants triggered sustained protests across several cities. Student groups demanded accountability from the Education Ministry and the NTA.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 3, 2026 | Original NEET-UG 2026 exam conducted; paper leak allegations surface |
| June 21, 2026 | Re-examination (Re-NEET) conducted |
| July 16, 2026 | NEET-UG 2026 results declared |
| July 25, 2026 | Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Education Minister amid protests |
In his resignation letter, Pradhan said the decision was taken to prevent the situation at Jantar Mantar from being exploited, to protect national unity, and to ensure that no student’s future gets caught up in legal complications. He maintained that he had taken full responsibility from the very beginning.
Who Is Pralhad Joshi, the New Education Minister After Dharmendra Pradhan?
According to reports by NDTV, Outlook India and The Week, Pralhad Joshi has been given additional charge of the Education Ministry following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. NDTV reported at 7:55 PM on July 25, 2026, with the headline “Pralhad Joshi Appointed Education Minister After Dharmendra Pradhan Quits.”
- Full Name: Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi
- Constituency: Dharwad, Karnataka (Lok Sabha MP since 2004, a five-time MP)
- Current Portfolios: Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy; now additional charge of Education
- Past Portfolios: Coal and Mines (2019–2024), Parliamentary Affairs (2019–2024)
- Political Career: Senior BJP leader from Karnataka; former Karnataka BJP state president; in the Union Cabinet since May 2019
Joshi is known within the BJP as an experienced parliamentary manager and has handled multiple key ministries over the past decade. With this additional charge, he now takes on a portfolio that oversees school education, higher education, and major national-level entrance examinations, including NEET and JEE.
Students preparing for other competitive exams can check the latest Latest UP Govt Jobs 2026 for ongoing recruitment updates.
Other Names That Were in Speculation
Before Pralhad Joshi’s name emerged in media reports, several other senior leaders were being discussed as possible successors to Dharmendra Pradhan. Here is a summary of the names doing the rounds and why they were considered.
| Name | Why Considered |
|---|---|
| Nirmala Sitharaman | Senior Cabinet minister with wide administrative experience; seen as a safe pair of hands for a sensitive portfolio |
| JP Nadda | Senior BJP leader and Union Health Minister; considered for his organisational experience within the party and government |
| Piyush Goyal | Experienced Cabinet minister who has previously held multiple portfolios; seen as a likely reshuffle candidate |
| Raghav Chadha | Opposition (AAP) leader whose name circulated in public discussion, though not part of the ruling government |
| Naresh Pal Gangwar | Higher Education Secretary; considered as an internal bureaucratic name given his direct familiarity with the NEET matter |
None of these names were officially confirmed for the position. Pralhad Joshi’s appointment is the name currently being reported by NDTV, Outlook India and The Week, though formal confirmation from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) is still awaited.
5 Big Challenges Before the New Education Minister
| Challenge | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Restoring trust in NEET and NTA | The paper leak has badly dented student and parent confidence in the exam system |
| Implementing CBT mode for NEET | A shift to computer-based testing for NEET has been floated for 2027 and will need careful rollout |
| Managing pending counselling | Lakhs of NEET-UG 2026 candidates are awaiting smooth and timely counselling after the delayed results |
| Continuing NEP 2020 implementation | The National Education Policy rollout, including curriculum and university reforms, needs continuity |
| Handling the additional charge | Since Joshi already holds two other ministries, balancing bandwidth for Education will be closely watched — especially by serious aspirants relying on structured preparation such as the Best UPSC Coaching Lucknow options. |
Student and Opposition Reactions
Student groups who had been protesting at Jantar Mantar for weeks welcomed Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Several protest leaders called it a victory for their movement and announced an end to their demonstrations after the government responded to their demands.
Opposition parties, on the other hand, used the resignation to renew criticism of the government’s handling of the NEET paper leak and the broader functioning of the NTA. They called for deeper structural reforms rather than a change of minister alone.
Note: This section reflects publicly reported reactions as of July 25, 2026. UPJobRadar has not independently verified statements attributed to individual protest leaders or opposition representatives, and no fabricated quotes have been used in this report.
What Happens Next: NEP 2020 and NEET CBT 2027 Plan
With a new minister taking charge, attention will now turn to whether ongoing initiatives under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 continue without disruption. The change in leadership is expected to be primarily administrative, with the broader policy framework likely to remain in place, though this cannot be confirmed until an official statement is issued.
On the examination front, some reports have pointed to plans for moving NEET-UG to computer-based testing (CBT) mode from 2027 onwards, a step aimed at reducing the risk of paper leaks in future exam cycles — following steps like the Telegram ban NEET leak case earlier this year. How this plan proceeds under the new minister will be a key point to track in the coming weeks.
Disclaimer: This is based on media reports as of July 25, 2026. Official confirmation from pib.gov.in is awaited. This article will be updated once the government issues a formal notification.
What Students Should Do Now: Quick Checklist
- Continue tracking NEET-UG 2026 counselling updates on the official NTA/MCC websites, and check the UP Govt Medical Colleges list for admission planning.
- Do not act on unconfirmed rumours about exam pattern changes until an official notification is issued.
- Keep checking pib.gov.in and the Ministry of Education website for the formal confirmation of the new minister.
- If you need financial support for your studies, check the UP Scholarship 2026 form guide for dates and eligibility.
- Bookmark this page — UPJobRadar will update it as soon as official confirmation is available.
FAQs
1. Who is the new Education Minister of India after Dharmendra Pradhan?
As per NDTV, Outlook India and The Week reports on July 25, 2026, Pralhad Joshi has been given additional charge as the new Education Minister. Official PIB confirmation is still awaited.
2. Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign as Education Minister?
He resigned on July 25, 2026, amid nationwide protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy and its aftermath.
3. When did Dharmendra Pradhan become Education Minister?
He held the post from July 7, 2021, until his resignation on July 25, 2026.
4. Has the government officially confirmed Pralhad Joshi’s appointment?
As of July 25, 2026, official confirmation from pib.gov.in was still awaited, even though multiple media outlets reported the appointment.
5. What other portfolios does Pralhad Joshi currently hold?
He is the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, in addition to the new Education charge.
6. Will NEET UG move to computer-based testing (CBT)?
Some reports have pointed to a plan to shift NEET-UG to CBT mode from 2027, though implementation details will depend on the new minister and official announcements.
Conclusion: New Education Minister of India
The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and the reported appointment of Pralhad Joshi as the new Education Minister of India mark a significant development for India’s education sector, coming in the direct aftermath of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak crisis. While NDTV, Outlook India and The Week point to Joshi taking additional charge, students, parents and educators should wait for the official PIB notification before treating the appointment as final.
UPJobRadar will update this article as soon as an official confirmation is issued by the Government of India.
Last Updated: July 25, 2026 | Source: NDTV, The Week, Outlook India | Official confirmation pending on pib.gov.in
About the Author
Syed Imran Zaidi
Written By: Syed Imran Zaidi | Reviewed By: UPJobRadar Editorial Team
Syed Imran Zaidi covers Government Jobs, Recruitment Notifications, Admit Cards, Results, Admissions, Scholarships, and Career Guidance. This report was prepared based on verified media coverage from NDTV, Outlook India and The Week, and will be updated once the official PIB notification is issued.
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