Dharmendra Pradhan named New Education Minister after PM Modi's Cabinet Reshuffle

Dharmendra Pradhan named as the New Education Minister: With PM Modi’s big cabinet reshuffle being announced today, Dharmendra Pradhan has been named as the new Education Minister today. Mr Pradhan replaces Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ who resigned earlier today. Mr Pradhan has also been given charge of the Ministry of Skill Development as well. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the first cabinet reshuffle today and the swearing-in ceremony for the new minister was held today evening in Rashtrapati Bhawan at 6 PM.

About Dharmendra Pradhan

Mr Dharmendra Pradhan has been a trusted minister of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has served in his cabinet as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Minister since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. He kick started his political career by contesting in 2000 Odisha assembly election from Pallalhara constituency. As a Member of Parliament, Mr Pradhan represents Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha. Prior to this, he represented Deogarh in Odisha in the 14^th Lok Sabha. On academic front, Mr Pradhan holds a post-graduate degree from Utkal University in Bhubaneswar in Anthropology.

Major Decisions Expected Soon

With Mr Dharmendra Pradhan taking over as the New Education Minister, students, teachers and other stakeholders from the academic field will expect him to get the education system, gravely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,. Currently, the biggest question on the minds of students is regarding the uncertainty around academic activities, exams and studies. In fact, his predecessor Mr Pokhriyal had announced dates for the all-important JEE Main 2021 Exam just a day before. Now, students would be expecting Mr Pradhan to streamline other processes and announce dates for NEET 2021 exam, CUCET 2021 and other national-level entrance exams that have been postponed due to the 2^nd wave of COVID-19 pandemic.