From Smriti Irani to Pralhad Joshi: 12 years, 5 Education Ministers under NDA – A look at their tenures as Pradhan steps down | Today’s news

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday resigned and took moral responsibility amid the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy following weeks of nationwide protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). His resignation came after a 37-day agitation demanding accountability for investigative irregularities and reforms in the education system. Soon after, Prahlad Joshi was given charge of the Education Ministry while continuing as the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs.

Pradhan became the fourth full-time education minister to serve under Prime Minister Narendra Modi since the NDA came to power in 2014.

Over the past 12 years, the ministry has overseen the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, curriculum changes, digital education initiatives while facing controversies over paper leaks, board exams and entrance tests.

A look at the tenure of NDA education ministers since 2014

Smriti Irani (May 2014 – July 2016)

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Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid nationwide protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy and took moral responsibility for the investigation irregularities after a long-running agitation demanding accountability and education reforms.

As of 2014, the NDA has had five education ministers, including Smriti Irani and Dharmendra Pradhan, each focusing on different initiatives such as the National Education Policy, digital learning and examination dispute resolution.

The NEP 2020 was significant as it replaced the 34-year-old National Education Policy of 1986, marked a major shift in India’s education framework and was passed when Ramesh Pokhriyal was the Education Minister.

Student protests highlighted discontent over the NEET paper leak, leading to major government action, including reprimanding National Testing Agency officials and prompting accountability measures by the Ministry of Education.

During his tenure, Dharmendra Pradhan focused on implementing NEP 2020, promoting digital education, strengthening skill-based learning and reforming national entrance examinations amid challenges such as the paper leak controversy.

When the BJP formed its first government in May 2014, Smriti Irani was appointed as the Human Resource Development (HRD) minister, making him one of the youngest leaders to hold the portfolio.

Her tenure focused on widening access to higher education, boosting skills development and rolling out digital initiatives in schools and universities. However, it was also marred by political controversies surrounding appointments in central universities, debates on academic freedom and the Rohith Vemula and JNU episodes that dominated the national discourse.

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In July 2016, she was shifted to the textiles ministry during the first major cabinet reshuffle under the Modi government.

Prakash Javadekar (July 2016 – May 2019)

Prakash Javadekar replaced Irani in July 2016 and remained HRD minister until the end of the first term of the Modi government.

His tenure focused on improving school learning outcomes, promoting digital learning platforms such as SWAYAM, expanding online teacher training and streamlining higher education regulations. During this period, the government also accelerated work on the draft of the new National Education Policy.

CBSE was hit by a major paper leak controversy in March 2018 involving the Class 10 Mathematics and Class 12 Economics board exams. Following reports that both the question papers were circulated on WhatsApp before the exams, CBSE announced a nationwide re-examination for the Class 12 Economics paper.

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It also initially proposed testing 10th grade math, but later withdrew the decision after finding that the impact of the leak was limited and did not warrant a nationwide test.

Javadekar was replaced after the BJP returned to power with a larger mandate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ (May 2019 – July 2021)

Former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Ramesh Pokhriyal took charge in May 2019, initially as HRD Minister.

His term of office is remembered mainly by two significant events. In July 2020, the Union Cabinet approved the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which replaced the 34-year-old National Education Policy of 1986. The ministry was simultaneously renamed from the Ministry of Human Resource Development to the Ministry of Education, restoring its pre-1985 name.

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Pokhriyal also managed the education sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing online courses, revised CBSE exams and digital education initiatives.

He resigned during a cabinet reshuffle in July 2021.

Dharmendra Pradhan (July 2021 – July 2026)

Dharmendra Pradhan assumed office in July 2021 after a cabinet reshuffle.

During his nearly five-year tenure, the ministry focused on implementing NEP 2020, implementing changes to the National Curriculum Framework, strengthening multilingual education, promoting skills-based learning, expanding digital education, and reforming national entrance exams.

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However, his last years in office were overshadowed by repeated controversies surrounding competitive exams, starting with the 2024 NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams, when allegations of question paper leaks and threats to the integrity of the exam prompted the Center to cancel the UGC-NET exam, order a CBI inquiry and announce reforms in the functioning of the NTA.

In 2026, fresh controversies erupted after the NEET-UG paper leak led to the cancellation of the investigation, the termination of 47 NTA officials and criminal proceedings against those allegedly involved. Soon after, allegations of the UGC-NET 2026 paper leak further fueled criticism of the ministry, with opposition parties demanding accountability and reforms in the examination system.

Pralhad Joshi (July 2026–present)

After Pradhan’s resignation, senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi was given the additional powers of the Education Ministry, retaining the Consumer Affairs portfolio.