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Dharmendra Pradhan

Dharmendra Pradhan

Dharmendra Pradhan is a BJP leader and currently the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepeneurship in the NDA government. He is the son of former BJP MP Dr. Debendra Pradhan. He started as an Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activist in the year 1983, and was elected President of Talcher College Students' Union in 1985. Soon he was elected as the national secretary of ABVP and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha from 2004 to 2006. He was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. Pradhan has represented the Deogarh constituency of Odisha. He was also a member of the 12th Assembly of Odisha (2000-2004). He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2012. Since then he was a member of several committees like Committee on Government Assurances, Joint Parliamentary Committee to examine matters relating to allocation and pricing of telecom licenses and spectrum, Committee on Rural Development and Committee on Agriculture. 2004 onwards, Pradhan was the party-incharge for Tripura, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Odisha.

Dharmendra Pradhan

Number of school teachers crossed 1 crore mark for first time in 2024–25: Ministry of Education
Education | Aug 28, 2025, 05:53 PM IST
The Ministry of Education said the student retention rate in schools, Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) increased during 2024-25 session. In the report, the ministry said school dropout rates saw notable reduction during 2024-25 across preparatory, middle and secondary levels.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says education sector key in achieving 'Viksit Bharat' goal
India | Jul 10, 2025, 08:01 PM IST
When we are envisioning an Indian model of a developed nation, at such a time, the greatest responsibility lies with the education sector, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.
QS World University Rankings: PM Modi hails milestone as India achieves record-breaking performance
Education | Jun 19, 2025, 04:49 PM IST
QS World University Rankings 2026: Echoing Prime Minister Modi's remarks, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan underscored the significant expansion of India's presence in global higher education rankings.

'Congress paints itself victim after losing elections': Dharmendra Pradhan slams Rahul's claims
India | Jun 07, 2025, 03:30 PM IST
The response follows Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s op-ed in the Indian Express, which sparked a political storm after he accused the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of orchestrating a "match-fixing" operation in the Maharashtra elections.
Dharmendra Pradhan slams Rahul Gandhi, calls Congress 'brand ambassador of lies' over NFS row
India | May 27, 2025, 05:02 PM IST
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan strongly rebutted Rahul Gandhi's allegations over faculty recruitment under reserved categories, accusing the Congress party of historical betrayal of SC, ST, and OBC communities.
Punjab Speaker flags errors in NCERT's Punjabi textbook, demands immediate review
India | Mar 18, 2025, 06:38 AM IST
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan pointed out significant spelling mistakes and factual inaccuracies in the book 'Punjabi Primer'.

PM Modi pays tribute to Debendra Pradhan: Know all about veteran politician
India | Mar 17, 2025, 02:09 PM IST
Dr. Debendra Pradhan, a doctor by profession, had served as the Minister of State for Surface Transport and Agriculture in NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee from 1999 to 2001.
Bihar girl’s dream to become doctor gets wings after viral video, Union education minister steps in
India | Mar 16, 2025, 06:31 PM IST
A young girl from Bihar, Khushboo Kumari, who was denied the chance to study science despite scoring 399 out of 500 in her Class 10 exams, received support from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after her emotional video went viral.
DMK MPs stage protest in Parliament complex against NEP, demand apology from Dharmendra Pradhan
Delhi | Mar 11, 2025, 09:04 PM IST
The Tamil Nadu government and the Centre have been at loggerheads over implementation of the new National Education Policy and three-language formula proposed in the policy.

Dharmendra Pradhan refutes MK Stalin's allegations on PM-SHRI Schools, shares consent letter
India | Mar 11, 2025, 09:29 PM IST
On Monday, while replying to a question on the PM SHRI scheme in the Lok Sabha, Pradhan said the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has changed its stand on implementing the centrally-sponsored scheme which envisaged strengthening the schools managed by central, state or local bodies.
Dharmendra Pradhan on three-language row: 'World discussing multilingualism, where are we trapped?'
India | Mar 11, 2025, 07:48 PM IST
On Monday, Pradhan accused DMK of "ruining the future of the students" amid the row over three-language formula. His statement triggered uproar in Rajya Sabha which was raised today with the opposition demanding Pradhan's resignation.
Dharmendra Pradhan slams DMK over NEP and language row: 'They are not committed to students...'
India | Mar 10, 2025, 03:29 PM IST
Pradhan accused the DMK of being "dishonest" and "politically motivated," claiming the party is endangering the future of Tamil Nadu's students by opposing the New Education Policy. He alleged that instead of focusing on educational advancement, the DMK was engaging in disruptive politics.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan holds discussions with European Commission Vice President
World | Feb 28, 2025, 11:58 AM IST
Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Education Minister, held discussions with EU Vice President Roxana Minzatu. The minister expressed confidence that the meeting will pave the way for significant strides in India-EU relations.
India TV Speed News Education Conclave: Stalin is opposing NEP because of politics, says Pradhan
Education | Feb 27, 2025, 08:35 PM IST
India TV Speed News Education Conclave: The Union Education Minister said that even in bordering areas of Tamil Nadu, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada are being taught in schools.
India TV Speed News Education Conclave: NEP doesn't impose Hindi, says Dharmendra Pradhan
Education | Feb 27, 2025, 07:55 PM IST
To a question of whether the NEP imposes Hindi on any state, Pradhan said there is no such provision in the NEP and noted that many countries, such as Japan, Israel, and China, are encouraging innovation and research in their mother tongue so that the students can develop critical thinking.

Dharmendra Pradhan writes to Stalin regarding his letter to PM on NEP 2020: 'Rise above politics'
Education | Feb 21, 2025, 01:55 PM IST
In a letter to Stalin, Pradhan said the Tamil Nadu CM should think about the interests of young learners who will benefit from the new National Education Policy.
NCERT textbooks for classes 9-12 as per new curriculum to be ready by 2026-27, says Pradhan
Education | Dec 17, 2024, 04:13 PM IST
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced that the updated version of NCERT textbooks will be released by 2026-27.
NTA to be restructured in 2025, ten new posts being created, says Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
Higher Studies | Dec 17, 2024, 11:57 AM IST
National Testing Agency (NTA) will only conduct entrance exams for higher education institutions starting next year, said Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament today.
PM Modi attends Odisha Parba event in Delhi, emphasises govt's efforts to boost development in East
India | Nov 24, 2024, 10:00 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event organised by Odia Samaj, a Delhi-based trust. The event was attended by Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Ashwini Vaishnaw.
PM Vidyalaxmi: Students with family income of upto Rs 8 lakh to get education loans upto Rs 10 lakh
Education | Nov 06, 2024, 04:25 PM IST
The Education Minister has announced details of the PM Vidyalaxmi scheme on his X handle. Under this scheme, students with an annual family income of up to Rs. 8 lakh will be eligible for a 3% interest subsidy on education loans of up to Rs. 10 lakh.