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.
Cockroach party founder Abhijeet Dipke slapped multiple times in Jaipur
Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), was slapped by some people during a protest in Jaipur.
Actor Prakash Raj to join CJP protest in Bengaluru today
Actor and activist Prakash Raj will join the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest at Bengaluru's Freedom Park on Sunday.
Know lots about Ram temple donation misuse, thefts: Brij Bhushan
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has claimed to know a lot about the alleged misuse and embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Cockroach Janata Party to protest in Pune, demands Pradhan's resignation
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has announced a protest in Pune on June 11, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
NEET-UG retest: Paper setters, moderators locked up to prevent leaks
In a drastic move to ensure the security of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 retest, authorities have placed all personnel involved in setting, moderating and translating the examination paper under strict isolation.
'Trailer of what's to come': CJP on Jantar Mantar protest
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder, Abhijeet Dipke, has thanked supporters for their participation in the recent protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
Cockroach Janta Party protests at Jantar Mantar, demands Pradhan's resignation
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, has staged a massive protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
'Dharmendra Pradhan must resign': Abhijeet Dipke arrives for CJP protest
Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), made his first public appearance in India after returning from the United States.
'Cockroach Janta Party' to protest in Delhi; says permission received
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is set to hold a major protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Delhi HC refuses to hear plea against 'Cockroach party' protest
The Delhi High Court has declined to hear a petition concerning law and order issues related to the Cockroach Janta Party's planned protest at Jantar Mantar on June 6.
'Don't come to airport': CJP founder's U-turn for supporters
Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has asked his supporters not to gather at Delhi's airport when he returns from the United States on Saturday.
Rahul Gandhi flags 'phone-scanned' answer sheets amid CBSE-OSM tender row
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has intensified his attack on the government and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) over alleged corruption in the tender process for Class-12's on-screen marking (OSM) system.
NEET paper leak: Why IAF may transport exam papers
The Indian government is considering using the Indian Air Force (IAF) to transport question papers for the upcoming National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) re-test.
'I take responsibility': Dharmendra Pradhan amid CBSE OSM controversy
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has taken responsibility for the recent discrepancies in the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.
CBSE denies OSM portal hacking claims
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has dismissed allegations of a security breach on its On-Screen Marking (OSM) portal.
Class-12 student trolled, called 'Pakistani' after flagging CBSE's answer-sheet mismatch
A Class 12 student from Delhi, Vedant Shrivastava, was abused and trolled online after he flagged a discrepancy in the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.
'Don't take it sentimentally': SC rejects hearing against Cockroach party
The Supreme Court on Monday refused an urgent hearing on a petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical social media campaign.
BJP targets Rahul Gandhi over 'Modi government will fall' remark
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks that the Narendra Modi-led government would fall within a year.
Government mulls single entrance exam for engineering, medical courses
The central government is mulling over a proposal to introduce a single entrance examination for engineering and medical courses.
Centre asks Meta, Google, Telegram to curb NEET misinformation
The Indian government has asked tech giants Meta, Google, and Telegram to combat misinformation ahead of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) re-examination.
'Why haven't you...?': Rahul Gandhi slams Modi over NEET-UG leak
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has intensified his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate 2026 paper leak.
NEET paper leak probe ongoing, government appoints 4 officials
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of two joint secretaries and two joint directors to the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Rajasthan family with 5 NEET-cleared kids obtained 2025 paper too
The Rajasthan family at the center of this year's National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) paper leak controversy is suspected to have leaked and sold exam papers in previous years as well.
'Breach in command chain': Government takes responsibility after NEET cancellation
The government on Friday took responsibility for a "breach in command chain" after the NEET-UG 2026 exam was canceled following a paper leak.
NEET-UG to be fully computer-based from next year: Education minister
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG will be fully computer-based from next year, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Friday.
NEET re-exam: Students can choose exam city, says education minister
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced important updates for students on Friday after the cancellation of NEET UG 2026.
Students erupt in protest after NEET paper leak scandal
A large protest outside Shastri Bhawan in Delhi was organized by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) on Tuesday after the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 over alleged paper leak irregularities.
Dharmendra Pradhan bats for 'Mahakal Standard Time': Why it matters
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has proposed that Ujjain, an ancient temple city in Madhya Pradesh, should be the new global center for time measurement.
CBSE rolls out new NCERT-approved curriculum: AI learning from Class-3
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched a new curriculum on Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for students of Classes 3 to 8.
PM Modi upset with NCERT's 'corruption in judiciary' chapter
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly expressed his displeasure over the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)'s Class 8 textbook, which carried a chapter on "corruption in the judiciary."
'No intention to disrespect judiciary': Education minister on NCERT row
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has assured full compliance with the Supreme Court's orders after it banned a Class 8 Social Science textbook released by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which carried a section on "corruption in the judiciary."
BJP, JDU eye Speaker's post ahead of Bihar government formation
Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) are vying for the post of Bihar Assembly Speaker as they finalize the structure of the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, India Today reported, citing sources.
Bihar Assembly elections: BJP-JD(U) seat-sharing agreement hits last-minute hitch
The National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections has run into a last-minute hitch.
Bihar Assembly elections: BJP, JD(U) to contest 101 seats each
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalized its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Using Zoho Office Suite now must for Education Ministry officials
In a major push toward digital self-reliance, the Ministry of Education has directed all its officials to use the Zoho Office Suite for all official documents.
Monsoon session: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned amid uproar
The Monsoon Session of Parliament faced major disruptions on Monday, with both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha being adjourned amid Opposition protests.
Is NEP's 3-language policy Hindi imposition? Tamil Nadu thinks so
Tamil Nadu has opposed the three-language formula in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, alleging it promotes Hindi in an otherwise Tamil-speaking state.
Stalin government drops official rupee symbol from state budget
The Tamil Nadu administration, led by MK Stalin, has replaced the rupee symbol with the Tamil letter 'Ru' in the state budget.
'I know 7-8 languages': Sudha Murthy endorses 3-language policy
Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy has come out in support of the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP), which encourages students to learn multiple languages.
Education minister claims TN agreed to PM-SHRI scheme; shares letter
Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has accused the Tamil Nadu government of going back on its word of implementing the centrally funded PM SHRI scheme.