New Delhi: After the cabinet reshuffle in the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prahlad Joshi has got the responsibility of Union Education Minister. He replaces Dharmendra Pradhan, who resigned on Saturday, taking moral responsibility for the irregularities in NEET-UG. Joshi was earlier holding the ministries of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy.

NEP 2020 and examination system struggling with paper leak   

This change in leadership has come at a time when India’s education system is going through major changes. On one hand, the government is busy implementing the National Education Policy 2020 and bringing a new curriculum for schools. On the other hand, allegations of repeated paper leaks in competitive examinations like NEET, JEE have shaken the confidence of students and parents. The biggest challenge before the new minister is to restore public confidence in the examination system.

Big changes in NTA, preparation for digital exam    

After the NEET controversy, the government has started restructuring the National Testing Agency i.e. NTA. According to reports, about 47 officers have been removed in this process. The government has now proposed to change the rules of outsourcing, impose strict monitoring and strong technical security at the examination centres.

The objective is clear – to stop paper leaks and make the national entrance examinations safe. Along with this, preparations are also going on to gradually shift major examinations like NEET-UG to computer based mode. The ministry is also working on increasing digital education infrastructure, promoting research and innovation and taking Indian universities to the global level.

Major reshuffle took place in bureaucracy also   

Changes have also been made in top officials of the Education Ministry. Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi has been sent to the Panchayati Raj Ministry. In his place, Naresh Pal Gangwar has become the new Higher Education Secretary. Gangwar is a 1994 batch IAS of Rajasthan cadre and was earlier looking after the Animal Husbandry Department.

The school education and literacy department is now headed by T.K. Anil Kumar has it. He is a 1995 batch Karnataka cadre IAS and was earlier Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development. These administrative changes made to improve the functioning of the Ministry and NTA after the examination controversies are being considered as a sign of a new beginning.

3 big responsibilities in front of Joshi   

1. Restoring confidence – After the paper leak, assuring students that the examinations will now be transparent.


2. Putting NEP 2020 on the ground – implementing the new education policy and new school curriculum on time


3. Digital and Global Education – Strengthening Online Infrastructure and Internationalization of Indian Institutions

The government hopes that Joshi’s experience will give impetus to the ongoing reforms in the education sector.