Dharmendra Pradhan: News
Dharmendra Pradhan, born on June 26, 1969 in Talcher, Odisha, is a Union Minister who belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As of 2021, he represents Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha and holds two portfolios in PM Narendra Modi's Cabinet, including Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. Pradhan was active in politics even as a student, owing to the influence of his father, a BJP leader who was a Minister of State in AB Vajpayee's government and a member of the Lok Sabha, too. He obtained his Master's in Anthropology from the Utkal University in Odisha. He was a member of the Odisha Assembly during 2000-04 from Pallahara. Pradhan successfully contested in his first-ever Lok Sabha election from Deogarh in 2004. He held the position for one term and suffered a defeat in 2009. He was, however, elected to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar in 2012. In 2014, he was appointed the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and later promoted to a Cabinet rank in 2017; he held the post until 2021. He also served as the Union Minister of Steel from 2019-21. Pradhan is also active in the party's activities in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.
CBI files supplementary chargesheet in 2026 NEET leak case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a supplementary chargesheet in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2026 paper leak case.
Why Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar didn't wear name tags
The Delhi Police personnel deployed at Jantar Mantar for protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar did not wear name tags.
Government planning on arresting CJP leaders before mega-protest: Saurav Das
The spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Saurav Das has alleged that the government is planning to arrest him and other leaders before their mega protest on October 10.
'They're not saints': Wangchuk says CJP founders have political ambitions
Activist Sonam Wangchuk has said that the founders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have political ambitions.
BPSC row: Police use water cannons as students break barricades
The Bihar Police and students came face to face as the latter attempted to march toward Raj Bhavan from Gandhi Maidan, demanding cancellation of the 70th BPSC examination.
Amnesty accuses Delhi Police of using excessive force during protests
Amnesty International has accused the Delhi Police of using excessive force during the July 20 protests over the NET-UG paper leak.
'Jantar Mantar 2.0': Cockroach Janta Party warns of fresh protest
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has warned of another Jantar Mantar-like protest if the central government fails to fulfill its commitments.
RAF personnel deployed as Rahul Gandhi stages dharna
Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been deployed in and around the Parliament Street police station, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is sitting on a dharna, demanding the filing of an FIR over alleged pellet gun use against student protesters.
Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi over UGC-NET exam cancellation
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the National Testing Agency's (NTA) decision to cancel UGC-NET exams for Sociology, English, and Commerce.
Higher education secretary replaced just 17 days after appointment
The central government has made a major reshuffle in the Department of Higher Education, appointing Deepti Gaur Mukherjee, a 1993-batch Madhya Pradesh cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, as the new secretary.
Amit Shah likely to address Parliament logjam over student protests
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to address the ongoing Parliament logjam over student protests.
Why not shut Jantar Mantar for protests?: HC to Centre
The Delhi High Court on Friday questioned the government's decision to allow protests at Jantar Mantar.
NTA experts used chits, memory to leak NEET questions: CBI
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has detailed the modus operandi behind the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak in its chargesheet.
CJP announces 'Kya Bolti Public' nationwide campaign from September
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has announced a nationwide campaign called "Kya Bolti Public," starting in September.
Listening to youth is 'biggest source' to prevent violence: SC
The Supreme Court has cautioned law enforcement agencies against using an aggressive approach to tackle student protests.
Did Kangana Ranaut take a dig at Sonakshi Sinha?
Bollywood actors Kangana Ranaut and Sonakshi Sinha seem to be on a collision course, thanks to Ranaut's latest cryptic social media post.
Abhijeet Dipke denies allegations of unexplained family wealth
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has denied allegations that his education at Boston University was funded by unexplained family wealth.
Why is student leader now on hunger strike in Jharkhand
Students in Jharkhand have intensified their protests against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, with a student leader going on an indefinite hunger strike.
Abhijeet Dipke addresses speculations of rift between CJP, Sonam Wangchuk
Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has dismissed speculation of a rift with activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Meta India head booked over AI-generated videos of PM Modi
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered two cases against Arun Srinivas, the head of Meta India, and several Facebook and Instagram accounts over AI-generated morphed content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests.
Jantar Mantar not closed: Delhi Police issue clarification
The Delhi Police on Thursday dismissed rumors that the Jantar Mantar protest site has been closed.
Security heightened at Jantar Mantar again after CJP's threat
The Delhi Police has tightened security at Jantar Mantar once again, deploying more personnel and welding barricades to prevent their removal during future protests.
Indian government orders Google to block these offline messaging apps
The Indian government has ordered tech giant Google to take down three offline messaging apps: Bitchat, Briar, and Bridgefy.
Rahul Gandhi's anecdote about student who defined 'andhbhakt' causes uproar
The Lok Sabha witnessed a ruckus on Wednesday after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi used the words "idiots" and "andhbhakts" in his speech.
Abhijeet Dipke flooded with marriage proposals, mother claims
Anita Dipke, the mother of 26-year-old activist and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, has revealed that her son has been receiving marriage proposals for the past two years.
'Hope all groups surround...Modi government': CJP after meeting farmer leader
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has reached out to farmer leader Rakesh Tikait in a bid to form a united front of farmers, students, and youth.
Delhi Police file FIR over abusive posts against PM
The Delhi Police have filed an FIR regarding abusive posts against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Express reported.
BJP rejects portfolio change offer to Dharmendra Pradhan after resignation
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dismissed media reports that the central government had offered former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan a new Cabinet portfolio after his resignation.
'Saved Pradhan Mantri by removing Pradhan': Akhilesh Yadav targets Centre
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday took a dig at the government in Parliament over the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.
'As if returning from war...': Gogoi criticizes Dharmendra Pradhan's felicitation
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after Dharmendra Pradhan was felicitated in Parliament in his first appearance since resigning as Union Education Minister amid student protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
Debate on anti-paper leak Bill begins in Lok Sabha
The discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill has begun in the Lok Sabha after the proceedings were adjourned till 2pm on Tuesday after the Opposition protested over the use of pellet guns against NEET paper leak protesters.
Release minor protesters, no publishing personal data: SC's big directions
The Supreme Court has ordered that no coercive action be taken against the protesters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi and other states.
Rights commission takes suo motu cognizance of Delhi Police excesses
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged use of excessive force by the Delhi Police during the student-led protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
Assam to withdraw all cases against NEET exam irregularity protesters
The Assam government has decided to withdraw all cases against protesters of alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities.
Before Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, Centre proposed portfolio change; CJP refused
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) reportedly rejected the Centre's proposal to change Dharmendra Pradhan's portfolio instead of seeking his removal before he submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.
Jantar Mantar violence: 989 identified protesters have criminal records
At least 20 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered in connection with the violence that erupted during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest, Hindustan Times reported.
'I'm street fighter': Dharmendra Pradhan, Jairam Ramesh clash in Parliament
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dharmendra Pradhan exchanged brief but sharp words with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh during his first appearance in Parliament after resigning as Union education minister.
Kejriwal announces 'national town hall' against E20 on August 1
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will host a "National Town Hall against E20" on August 1 in Delhi, party leader Arvind Kejriwal said.
Sonam Wangchuk discharged from Medanta Hospital
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been discharged from Gurugram's Medanta Hospital after a week of treatment following his 26-day hunger strike, which he ended on the night of July 23.
Cockroach Janta Party urges government to fulfill commitments
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has urged the Indian government to fulfill its commitments following reports of detentions across the country.
NTA overhauls leadership, invites applications to 4 key posts
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has launched a major overhaul of its leadership in a bid to revamp its examination system.
'Dharmendra Pradhan Zindababd': Former minister gets rousing welcome at Parliament
Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was given a warm welcome by National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders in Parliament on Monday, where he was received with slogans of "Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad."