Prahlad Joshi Is New Education Minister After Dharmendra Pradhan’s Exit: NTA, NEP, Trust, His 3 Big Challenges After Gen-Z Protest Explained

Published 26 July 2026 · politics

Prahlad Joshi Faces Tough Test As Education Minister After Dharmendra Pradhan: What Are His 3 Big Challenges? Published By, Last Updated: July 26, 2026, 13:31

Prahlad Joshi Faces Tough Test As Education Minister After Dharmendra Pradhan: What Are His 3 Big Challenges? Published By, Last Updated: July 26, 2026, 13:31 IST After CJP-led Gen-Z protest: Pralhad Joshi faces the immediate and monumental challenge of restoring public trust in India's national examination system Rapid Read Pralhad Joshi. (X) Prahlad Joshi, appointed as the education minister after Dharmendra Pradhan’s exit, on Sunday took charge of the ministry. Joshi has been given the additional charge besides his role as the consumer affairs minister. Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday following the Cockroach Janta Party-led student protests across the country, demanding his ouster over the NEET paper leak controversy. In his resignation letter, Pradhan said it was not a matter of “individual prestige" for him, and that he was disturbed to see the series of events that unfolded over the last 10 days. Joshi had on Saturday said, “I accept this responsibility with a sense of duty and humility.

I am thankful to the Prime Minister. In the last 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, many historic achievements have been made. In the last four to five years, Dharmendra Pradhan also implemented the Education Policy, and several important initiatives were undertaken. The country has made significant progress in the new education system. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, I will work to the best of my ability and fulfil my responsibilities with dedication." THE THREE KEY CHALLENGES Joshi faces the immediate and monumental challenge of restoring public trust in India’s national examination system. Having taken charge of the Ministry of Education following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET controversy, his priority is reforming high-stakes national testing. The primary challenges before him include 1. Rebuilding Systemic Trust and Credibility Joshi must reassure millions of anxious candidates regarding the transparency and absolute fairness of national competitive exams. He will manage the political and social fallout from recent nationwide student protests led by groups like the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

He will have to execute sensitive relief measures for families of affected students who suffered heavy mental toll during the exam cancellations. 2. Overhauling the Testing Agency (NTA) As the minister, Joshi will have to oversee administrative changes and tightening security protocols within the Testing Agency to prevent structural flaws. Today, I assumed charge as the Union Minister for Education.I am grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji for placing his faith in me and entrusting me with this responsibility. I accept it with humility and a deep sense of duty. ಇಂದು ಭಾರತ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ… pic.twitter.com/Ge2ulvf3L8 — Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) July 26, 2026 He will have to enforce strict anti-cheating legislation and severe punitive actions against regional paper-leak mafias. The minister will have to manage a massive shift from pen-and-paper formats to secure computer-based testing (CBT) systems. 3. Policy Execution & Institutional Management Joshi will have to continue the ground-level execution of the complex Education Policy (NEP) across diverse states.