Pralhad Joshi is a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and a five-time Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka’s Dharwad constituency. Known for handling key portfolios in the Narendra Modi government, Joshi took charge as the Union Education Minister on July 25, 2026 after the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan following the NEET-UG controversy. He continues to be regarded as one of the government’s most experienced administrators, having previously served as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal, Mines, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.
Born on November 27, 1962, in Karnataka, Joshi completed his schooling at Railway School and New English School in Hubballi before earning a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Shri Kadasiddeshwar Arts College, affiliated with Karnataka University, Dharwad, in 1983. Unlike many recent education ministers with professional degrees, his academic background is rooted in the humanities. During his student years, he developed an interest in public service and community issues, which eventually led him into active politics.
Joshi entered the Lok Sabha in 2004 and has retained the Dharwad seat in every general election since, making him one of Karnataka’s longest-serving BJP parliamentarians. Over the years, he has also served as the BJP’s Karnataka state president and built a reputation for organisational skills and parliamentary management.
A political war of words has escalated between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party over defending the Election Commission. The controversy deepened following questions raised over institutional transparency, with the Congress asking why the ruling party is attempting to defend the poll watchdog instead of allowing the commission to address queries directly before the country. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party responded by stating that the opposition needs concrete proof before levelling allegations against constitutional institutions, pointing out that questions are only raised after electoral defeats. The row has triggered widespread debate across Karnataka's political sphere.
A political showdown erupted in the Karnataka Assembly over the rendition of the national song, Vande Mataram. The controversy began when the state government stopped the official playback of the song after just two stanzas, prompting Bharatiya Janata Party legislators to stand up and sing the remaining stanzas. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi criticised the Congress government, terming the move an unpatriotic mandate and questioning its objection to singing all six stanzas. He stated that the state government cannot override the national law passed in Parliament requiring all stanzas to be sung, accusing the Congress of compromising on national pride.
The Uttar Pradesh government informed the Supreme Court that the initial charge sheet in the Ram Mandir Chanda Chori case will be filed within two days to prevent the accused from obtaining statutory bail. Appearing for the state, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted a detailed status report from the Special Investigation Team in a sealed cover. The court noted that CCTV footage, material evidence, and software donation receipts are being analyzed, while directing the jurisdictional sessions court to handle the trial proceedings. Meanwhile, a political confrontation erupted in Karnataka over the singing of Vande Mataram. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi criticized the Congress government after only two stanzas were played in the Karnataka Assembly, prompting opposition BJP MLAs to sing the remaining stanzas on the floor of the House.
The Bharatiya Janata Party mounted an attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following a mimicry act at the 'Chhatro Ki Goonj' event in Indore. The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party of displaying insensitivity and moral bankruptcy by allegedly mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and an elderly woman referenced during a rally remark. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi termed the act shameful and disgusting, alleging that student interactions were being weaponised. During a broadcast discussion, BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan condemned Rahul Gandhi for sharing the stage with individuals who insulted women and an elderly person, stating that such actions reflect an uncouth culture and regressive politics. The anchor also questioned the BJP regarding past political posts by party handles targeting opposition leaders, sparking a debate on political satire, accountability, and the treatment of women in political discourse.
Sugar prices in India have witnessed a sharp surge from 44 rupees per kilo in May to nearly 65 rupees per kilo, triggering a political slugfest ahead of the festive season. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that global weather damage, El Nino, and red rot disease have impacted sugar production. Despite the price rise, the Centre highlighted that sugarcane output rose to over 5,000 lakh tons in 2025-26, maintaining that domestic sugar supplies remain in surplus. To curb hoarding and speculation, the government announced a 15-day stock limit for bulk consumers using over 10 metric tons monthly, effective from September until November 30. The curbs apply to sweet shops, soft drinks manufacturers, food processors, and confectioneries. Additionally, 10 lakh tons of raw sugar will be imported duty-free, while exports remain restricted. Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, attacked the central government over sugar stocks and sugarcane diversion for ethanol.
Indian stock markets opened on a steady note with the Nifty hovering around the 24,285 to 24,290 level, while the Indian rupee traded near 95.64 against the US dollar. Expert market commentary indicated positive momentum driven by easing crude prices and global cues, alongside strong investor appetite in the primary market and upcoming IPOs. Meanwhile, domestic sugar prices witnessed a sharp surge, prompting the central government to initiate measures, including stock limits and temporary raw sugar imports, to ensure domestic availability ahead of the festive season. Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that water scarcity caused by El Niño conditions and red rot disease impacted agricultural production. Analyst discussions noted that global sugar supply constraints, such as sugarcane diversion for ethanol in Brazil, contribute to the supply pressure. Sectoral movements showed gains across IT, auto, metals, and jewelry stocks, supported by expectations of strong consumer demand during the upcoming festive and wedding seasons.
A sharp rise in sugar prices from ₹48 to between ₹56 and ₹65 per kilo ahead of the festive season has triggered a political war in India. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge targeted the Modi government over nine-year-low sugar stocks and demanded a review of the E20 ethanol blending policy, accusing the government of indifferent inflation management. Opposing the claims, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi cited red rot disease and El Nino for global agricultural declines while assuring that India maintains a surplus of 20 to 25 lakh tonnes against a 280 lakh tonne demand. In FY 2025-26, around 30 to 35 lakh metric tonnes of sugar was diverted for ethanol production from a gross output of 306 lakh metric tonnes.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi addressed the recent increase in sugar prices, attributing reduced agricultural production to unexpected red rot disease and water scarcity caused by El Nino. Speaking on global and domestic agricultural declines, Joshi noted that India's sugar production fell short of the expected 330 to 340 lakh tons. Despite this drop, he assured that India currently holds a surplus of 20 to 25 lakh tons against a requirement of approximately 280 lakh tons. To manage upcoming festival demand, temporary measures including raw sugar imports have been initiated. The minister and government officials dismissed opposition claims blaming the ethanol blending policy for the sugar crisis, emphasizing that environmental factors and rain deficits exceeding ten percent in key producing states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh caused the slowdown.
The Lok Sabha saw a stormy opening debate on the new examination bill, with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacking the government over the NEET paper leak and police action against student protesters.
A marathon debate on the Public Examination Prevention of Unfair Means Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday turned into a sharp political confrontation after Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacked newly appointed Education Minister Pralhad Joshi over his past remarks related to the Bilkis Bano case.
Parliament witnessed intense debates during the Lok Sabha session on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill as Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi confronted the Union government and Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi over examination irregularities.
In Lok Sabha, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra mounted a fierce attack on the government during a debate on the anti-paper leak bill, raising the plight of injured student protesters and alleging harsh police action involving tear gas, water cannons, and pellet guns. She questioned the government's accountability over repeated examination paper leaks affecting millions of students nationwide and criticized systemic failures within the education infrastructure. Gandhi further sparked severe uproar and opposition from treasury benches by making serious allegations against newly appointed Education Minister Prahlad Joshi regarding past controversial comments. Outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi amplified the assault, accusing the Prime Minister of choosing a minister who defends rapists. Countering the allegations, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya defended the government's measures, emphasizing that high-powered committees, CBI probes, computer-based exam transitions, and stringent legislation are key steps toward permanently resolving examination malpractices.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the political firestorm over the Karnataka government’s decision to release advertisements in the National Herald newspaper. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Spokesperson Prashanth G.S. accuses the Siddaramaiah administration of using taxpayer money to fund the ‘Gandhi family’s personal scam-ridden newspaper,’ describing it as a ‘family ATM.’ In defence, Karnataka Congress Spokesperson Shatabish Shivanna dismisses the allegations as ‘manufactured outrage,’ asserting that the National Herald is ‘not just a newspaper’ but a symbol of the freedom movement founded by Jawaharlal Nehru. The debate, moderated by Akshita Nandagopal, explores questions of conflict of interest and the justification of public spending on a daily with a limited subscriber base.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament beginning December 1. The session is expected to be stormy following the NDA's landslide victory in the Bihar Assembly elections. The Opposition is set to corner the government over the 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging discrepancies. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi dismissed the concerns, stating, 'SIR is not a new thing. This is the 9th SIR after independence.' The programme also highlights key legislation listed for the session, including the Atomic Energy Bill 2025 and the Securities Markets Code Bill 2025.
The Modi government has questioned the UPA's approach to terror following an affidavit by Yasin Malik in the Delhi High Court.
The BJP slammed Congress for changing the name of Ramanagara district. BJP leader Pralhad Joshi said that the Congress is against Lord Ram.
BJP's top brass meet at Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's residence to decide about the Speaker's post.
In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Congress MP Jairam Rames discussed the suspension of 146 MPs during the Winter Session 2023 and its implications for parliamentary democracy. Join Rajdeep Sardesai in this insightful conversation as they delve into pressing matters such as the suspension of opposition MPs, Parliament's security breach, and more.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told India Today that the Privileges Committee had sent notices to BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri for hurling communal slurs against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali. "The Privileges Committee is going to send a report shortly on the same," Pralhad Joshi told India Today Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai. Reacting upon Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra's case being compared with Ramesh Bidhuri's case, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said that there is no comparison in both cases as the TMC leader herself agreed that she shared her Parliamentary login ID and password with businessman Darshan Hiranandani. "She also agreed that she accepted gifts and illegal gratification from Hiranandani to further his interest," Pralhad Joshi added.
In an exclusive interview with India Today TV on Friday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi criticised the opposition leaders for "not wanting to discuss bills in Parliament." He said, "The Centre wants every bill to be discussed in Parliament but the Congress and other opposition parties don't want that," adding, "this is the problem." On the suspension of 146 Opposition leaders from Lok Sabha, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said that after the suspension of 13 MPs from Lok Sabha on the first day, the opposition leaders were asked to meet the Speaker and concerned MPs to have a discussion on the same. Watch the full interview to know more about Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi opinion on MPs suspension from Lok Sabha.
