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Dharmendra Pradhan

Pralhad Joshi Assumes Charge as Education Minister After Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation

/ Education Community

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been entrusted with the additional charge of the Ministry of Education after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from the post amid mounting protests over alleged examination paper leaks. Speaking to reporters after taking charge, Joshi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the responsibility. He said he accepted the role with humility and highlighted the achievements of the Modi government over the past 12 years, adding that he would work with a strong sense of duty in his new assignment. Pradhan’s resignation came after weeks of nationwide demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had demanded his resignation over the government’s handling of the examination paper leak controversy. Following the resignation, the CJP announced the immediate withdrawal of its protest movement. Supporters gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar were asked to disperse after the government agreed to the group’s key demands. The decision was announced during a joint press conference addressed by CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, along with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. According to the CJP, the government has assured that all police cases registered against protesting students will be withdrawn and that no future action will be taken against them. The government has also agreed to provide the maximum compensation permissible under existing rules to the families of students who died by suicide in connection with the NEET paper leak controversy. Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation was the principal demand of the protesters, and its acceptance paved the way for the suspension of the agitation. Source: NDTV  

Pralhad Joshi Assumes Charge as Education Minister After Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation Read More »

India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Amid Nationwide Student Protests Over Exam Paper Leaks

/ Education Community

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following weeks of nationwide student protests demanding accountability over a series of alleged examination paper leaks. His resignation marks a significant development in one of the largest youth-led protest movements seen in India in recent years. In a statement shared on X, Pradhan said he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing the ongoing unrest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and across the country. He stated that his decision was aimed at preventing what he described as “anti-national forces” from exploiting the situation. Pradhan also expressed respect for the aspirations of young people and said he did not want students to become entangled in legal disputes instead of focusing on their education and careers. The protests were spearheaded by the satirical student-led group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which celebrated the resignation as a victory for democracy. Speaking to supporters at Jantar Mantar, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke declared the movement successful, while the organisation posted on X that “Cockroaches won… Democracy won!” Despite the minister’s resignation, the CJP said its campaign is not over. The group has reiterated three key demands: ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide, protection from legal action for all protest participants, and a public apology from Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force over the handling of demonstrations. The protests intensified after clashes earlier this week, during which police used baton charges, tear gas, and reportedly pellet guns to disperse demonstrators marching towards Parliament. Several students were injured in the confrontations, further fuelling public anger. Government representatives had initiated talks with protest leaders on Friday, with another round of discussions scheduled for Saturday. It remains uncertain whether those negotiations will proceed following Pradhan’s resignation. Before the resignation, the central government had announced plans to establish fast-track courts for examination paper leak cases and introduce stricter anti-cheating legislation in an effort to restore confidence in the country’s examination system. The demonstrations have become a broader expression of frustration among India’s youth over issues such as unemployment, corruption, transparency, and government accountability. Source: Al Jazeera

India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Amid Nationwide Student Protests Over Exam Paper Leaks Read More »

Dharmendra Pradhan Assures Action Over CBSE Evaluation Discrepancies, Takes Responsibility for OSM Issues

/ Education Community

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has acknowledged concerns surrounding discrepancies in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 evaluation process and assured students that all grievances will be addressed. Taking responsibility for issues linked to the newly introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, he said strict action would be taken against anyone found deliberately responsible for irregularities affecting students. The OSM system, implemented for the first time this year, involves scanning physical answer sheets and uploading them to a secure digital platform for evaluation by examiners. However, several students have reported inconsistencies in marks and claimed that scanned answer sheets available on the CBSE portal did not match their handwriting, raising concerns about possible errors in the digital evaluation process. Addressing the issue, Pradhan noted the massive scale of the exercise, highlighting that nearly 17 lakh students appeared for the examinations, generating around 98 lakh answer sheets comprising approximately 40 crore scanned pages. He stated that the Board is actively working to resolve all concerns related to evaluation, verification, and re-evaluation. To review the situation, the Education Minister chaired a high-level meeting at CBSE headquarters, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Education, CBSE leadership, experts from IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur, representatives of public sector banks, and officials from the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. Discussions focused on evaluation procedures, portal performance, and student support mechanisms. The review also examined complaints regarding login difficulties, heavy server traffic, and payment-related challenges on the post-examination services portal. An expert technical team comprising IIT professors and digital systems specialists has been tasked with assessing portal stability, server capacity, user access management, and payment gateway integration to ensure smoother services for students. In a move aimed at improving the re-evaluation process, CBSE has integrated payment gateways from four public sector banks — State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Canara Bank — to facilitate seamless transactions for students accessing post-result services. Meanwhile, Pradhan criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleging large-scale irregularities in the CBSE examination system and demanding a judicial probe. The Minister defended the Board’s procurement and evaluation processes, stating that all procedures were conducted in accordance with government norms. He reiterated that any genuine irregularities identified during investigations would be dealt with firmly. Emphasising the need to keep students’ interests at the forefront, Pradhan urged political parties not to politicise the issue and stressed that reducing examination-related stress for students should remain the primary objective. Source: The Hindu  

Dharmendra Pradhan Assures Action Over CBSE Evaluation Discrepancies, Takes Responsibility for OSM Issues Read More »

Lok Sabha Clears Enhanced Education Budget; Dharmendra Pradhan Says Higher Education Funding Up 78%

/ Education Community

The Lok Sabha on Thursday approved the demands for grants of the Ministry of Education, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighting a significant rise in budgetary allocations for the sector over the past decade. He stated that India’s education spending has increased from ₹4.3 lakh crore in 2013-14 to ₹9.19 lakh crore at present, underlining the government’s commitment to building a strong knowledge-driven economy by 2047. Replying to the discussion in the House, Pradhan said quality education remains central to India’s vision of becoming a 30-trillion-dollar economy. He noted that the budget allocation for higher education has witnessed a 78% increase since 2013-14. The minister emphasized that the government has focused on ensuring education is accessible, equitable, affordable, accountable, and of high quality. He highlighted the expansion of higher education institutions across the country, including IITs and IIMs. According to him, the number of universities has risen from 760 in 2014-15 to 1,168 currently. Pradhan also spoke about the PM JANMAN scheme, aimed at improving educational access for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). He said the Centre plans to construct 500 hostels for tribal students under the initiative, with work already underway on 119 hostels. He further stated that the government is actively promoting Indian Sign Language and strengthening inclusive education measures. Highlighting women’s representation in education, the minister pointed out that Aligarh Muslim University has appointed its first woman Vice-Chancellor. He also mentioned an increase in the number of female teachers in schools. Opening the debate, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said India has witnessed major improvements in educational infrastructure and quality over the last decade. He added that this year’s Union Budget places special emphasis on youth skill development, employment generation, and self-reliance, targeting skill training for nearly four crore young people. Surya noted that the higher education department’s budget has increased from ₹26,750 crore in 2013-14 to more than ₹47,000 crore now. Opposition members, however, raised concerns over vacancies and the quality of education. Congress MP Mohammad Jawed highlighted that nearly 4.8 lakh teaching positions in schools and over 61,000 posts in central universities remain vacant. TMC MPs Pratima Mondal and Sougata Roy criticized the government’s education policies, alleging inadequate focus on skill development and declining higher education standards. Roy also expressed concern over the growing number of Indian students pursuing higher studies abroad, citing that nearly 8.96 lakh students left the country last year. RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal demanded strict action against the “coaching mafia” and raised concerns over repeated paper leak incidents. MPs including Asaduddin Owaisi, Malvinder Singh Kang, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Priya Saroj, Sambit Patra, and Kanimozhi also participated in the discussion before the House adjourned for the day. Source: News on AIR

Lok Sabha Clears Enhanced Education Budget; Dharmendra Pradhan Says Higher Education Funding Up 78% Read More »

CBSE to Refund Students After Technical Glitches Disrupt Class 12 Post-Result Applications

/ Education Community

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that students who were charged incorrectly during the Class 12 post-result application process will receive refunds following technical issues on the portal. The move comes after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan sought a detailed report from the board over complaints related to server failures, payment gateway disruptions, and operational lapses faced by students during the re-evaluation and verification process. According to CBSE, technical glitches on May 21 and 22 led to irregular fee deductions while students were applying for scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets. In some cases, students were charged more than the prescribed fee, while others were billed lower amounts. The board clarified that students who paid excess charges will automatically receive refunds through the same payment mode used during the transaction. Candidates who were charged less than the required amount will be contacted separately regarding the balance payment, if necessary. CBSE also assured students that scanned copies of answer books will still be provided in all affected cases without requiring fresh applications. Earlier, the board had acknowledged that exceptionally high traffic on the portal caused temporary technical disruptions during peak hours. It stated that corrective measures, including extending deadlines and implementing technical fixes, are being carried out to ease the process for students and parents. CBSE further urged students not to panic, emphasizing that the verification and re-evaluation system is designed to address genuine concerns in a transparent and structured manner. Source: PTI  

CBSE to Refund Students After Technical Glitches Disrupt Class 12 Post-Result Applications Read More »

NEET-UG 2026: NTA Opens Portal for Fee Refund; Candidates Can Submit Bank Details Till May 27

/ Education Community

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has activated a dedicated portal for NEET-UG 2026 aspirants to submit their bank account information for the refund of examination fees after the cancellation of the medical entrance exam earlier this month. According to an official notice released on Friday, candidates can access the refund facility by logging into the NEET-UG 2026 registration portal with their application credentials. The portal will remain open from May 22 to May 27, 2026, till 11:50 PM. Students are required to provide essential banking details such as account holder name, account number, IFSC code, and bank name to facilitate the refund process. The NTA has also given candidates the option to upload a scanned copy of a cancelled cheque to avoid any discrepancies in account information. The agency clarified that once the bank details are submitted, no modifications will be permitted later. Candidates have additionally been advised not to raise any chargeback requests related to the NEET-UG 2026 application fee. NEET-UG 2026, conducted on May 3, was cancelled amid allegations of irregularities and malpractice in the examination process. Following the controversy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the re-examination will now take place on June 21, 2026. The NTA had earlier confirmed that no fresh examination fee would be charged for the re-test and that the fees already paid by candidates would be refunded. Source: PTI  

NEET-UG 2026: NTA Opens Portal for Fee Refund; Candidates Can Submit Bank Details Till May 27 Read More »

Parliamentary Panel to Examine NTA Reforms, NEET-UG Paper Leak Allegations

/ Education Community

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports is set to review the reforms proposed for the National Testing Agency (NTA) and discuss the alleged NEET-UG paper leak during a meeting scheduled for May 21. According to a Rajya Sabha notice, the panel will assess the implementation status of the K. Radhakrishnan Committee recommendations on NTA reforms and receive updates on the ongoing probe into the NEET-UG controversy. The committee, chaired by senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, has called upon Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi and NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi to appear before the panel for detailed deliberations. The NTA had cancelled the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3 following allegations of irregularities and paper leak claims. Around 23 lakh aspirants had registered for the nationwide medical entrance examination. The agency stated that reports regarding suspected malpractice surfaced on May 7, four days after the exam. Earlier this month, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the NEET-UG re-examination will be conducted on June 21. He also confirmed that from next year onwards, the medical entrance test will shift to a computer-based format. Apart from the examination-related discussions, the parliamentary panel will also hold consultations on the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence in education and ways to improve student employability. Representatives from Anthropic India, Pratham, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Infosys and Indian Institute of Technology Madras are expected to participate in the discussions. Source: The Hindu  

Parliamentary Panel to Examine NTA Reforms, NEET-UG Paper Leak Allegations Read More »

Dharmendra Pradhan Directs ‘Foolproof’ Conduct of NEET-UG Re-Exam Amid Tightened Security

/ Education Community

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday reviewed the preparations for the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination and instructed officials to ensure the test is conducted in a completely secure, transparent, and error-free manner. During a high-level review meeting, the minister stressed that all shortcomings and lapses identified during the earlier examination process must be thoroughly addressed to restore the integrity of the medical entrance examination. Officials said Pradhan emphasised that the re-exam should be carried out under strict security arrangements with seamless coordination at every level. He also directed authorities to organise coordination meetings with district magistrates and superintendents of police across states to strengthen monitoring and execution of exam-related arrangements. Highlighting the importance of maintaining vigilance at examination centres, the minister asked officials to ensure that security measures remain uncompromised. He also called for adequate facilities for students, including transportation support, drinking water, and other essential amenities. The National Testing Agency had earlier cancelled the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3 following allegations of irregularities and malpractice. Pradhan had announced that the re-examination will now be held on June 21. He also stated that from next year, the NEET-UG exam will be conducted in a computer-based format to enhance transparency and prevent future discrepancies. Source: PTI

Dharmendra Pradhan Directs ‘Foolproof’ Conduct of NEET-UG Re-Exam Amid Tightened Security Read More »

India Emerging as Global Innovation Powerhouse, Says Dharmendra Pradhan at Bharat Innovates Pre-Summit

/ Education Community

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted India’s growing stature as a global innovation hub while addressing the concluding session of the Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit held at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. During the event, the minister engaged in roundtable discussions with investors, industry leaders, and academic experts. He noted that the pre-summit serves as a precursor to Bharat Innovates 2026, scheduled to take place in Nice. The discussions focused on advancing deep-tech innovation, strengthening collaboration between academia and industry, and enhancing India’s startup ecosystem. Pradhan emphasised the importance of sustained funding for emerging ventures to help them scale, foster innovation, and promote research-driven entrepreneurship. He reiterated that Bharat Innovates aims to showcase India’s research and development capabilities on the global stage while facilitating international collaborations and unlocking investment opportunities. Underscoring India’s potential, he stated that the country is well-positioned to develop scalable and cost-effective solutions not only for domestic needs but also for the Global South. He described the initiative as a dynamic platform that brings together ideas, talent, and resources to accelerate innovation and deepen industry-academia partnerships. On the sidelines of the summit, Pradhan chaired a roundtable attended by around 175 investors and industry stakeholders. He also interacted with innovators working across key sectors such as energy, climate and sustainability, semiconductors, space and defence, healthcare, biotechnology, advanced computing, mobility, and smart cities. The pre-summit saw participation from 137 deep-tech startups selected from over 1,186 applications across the country. These startups showcased innovations in areas including artificial intelligence, advanced materials, clean technology, and next-generation manufacturing, drawing strong interest from investors. The event also enabled meaningful engagement between startups, venture capital firms, and industry representatives, paving the way for collaboration, commercialisation, and global expansion. Prominent dignitaries present included K. Radhakrishnan, Vineet Joshi, Abhay Karandikar, and Shireesh Kedare. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to innovation, Pradhan stressed the need to translate research ideas into market-ready solutions that create real-world impact. He expressed confidence that the innovations showcased at the pre-summit would significantly contribute to strengthening India’s position as a global leader in technology and entrepreneurship. The Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit marks an important milestone in India’s innovation journey, with selected startups set to represent the country’s deep-tech ecosystem at the international event in France in 2026. Source: DD News 

India Emerging as Global Innovation Powerhouse, Says Dharmendra Pradhan at Bharat Innovates Pre-Summit Read More »

Parliament to Introduce Bill Creating a Single Higher Education Regulator to Replace UGC, AICTE, NCTE

/ Education Community

Parliament is set to take up a landmark reform bill aimed at overhauling India’s higher education regulatory framework. The Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, scheduled for introduction in the winter session beginning December 1, proposes replacing key regulatory bodies—the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)—with one unified authority. According to the Lok Sabha bulletin, HECI will act as the central regulator for higher education across the country, except for medical and legal education. The new body will focus on regulation, accreditation, and setting professional standards. Funding responsibilities, however, will continue to remain with the administrative ministry and not under HECI’s purview. The concept has been in discussion for years, with a draft bill first released in 2018 for public feedback, proposing the repeal of the UGC Act. Efforts to revive the plan gained momentum after Dharmendra Pradhan became the Union Education Minister in 2021. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 strongly advocates for such a unified regulator, noting that India’s higher education system requires a complete structural overhaul. The policy stresses that regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standard-setting should function independently yet cohesively under empowered bodies to strengthen the sector. Source: Indian Express

Parliament to Introduce Bill Creating a Single Higher Education Regulator to Replace UGC, AICTE, NCTE Read More »