Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, 25 July, amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET-UG examination. With his exit, attention has turned to who could take charge of the Education Ministry next.
The Centre has not announced Pradhan's successor, and no official communication has been issued by the Prime Minister's Office or Rashtrapati Bhavan naming the next Education Minister.
However, a handful of names have surfaced in media reports, political discussions and online speculation.
ALSO READ: How Dharmendra Pradhan Rose From Student Politics To The Union Cabinet
Jayant Chaudhary
Jayant Chaudhary is the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and also serves as Minister of State for Education. He is the president of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and joined the NDA ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Because he already holds responsibilities within the Education Ministry, several reports have suggested he could be a natural choice if the Centre opts for continuity or appoints an interim minister. The government, however, has not commented on these reports.
ALSO READ: Before Becoming Education Minister, Did Dharmendra Pradhan Join A Paper Leak Protest In 1997?
Sukanta Majumdar
Sukanta Majumdar is the Minister of State for Education and Development of North Eastern Region. A BJP MP from West Bengal and the party's former state president, he has been part of the Education Ministry since the Modi government's third term began.
Like Chaudhary, Majumdar is already part of the ministry, making him another administrative option if the Centre decides to elevate an existing minister. No official confirmation has been issued.
Shrikant Shinde
Shrikant Shinde is a Lok Sabha MP from Kalyan in Maharashtra and the son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. A medical doctor by training, he has represented Kalyan in Parliament since 2014.
According to India TV, citing sources, Shinde is likely to be inducted into the Union Cabinet and could be considered for the Education Ministry as part of a possible Cabinet expansion. The government has not confirmed the report.
ALSO READ: NEET Protest Timeline: From The Alleged Paper Leak To Sonam Wangchuk Ending His 26-Day Hunger Strike
Devendra Fadnavis
Devendra Fadnavis is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and one of the BJP's most senior leaders. He has previously served as Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and is regarded as a key strategist within the party.
His name has featured in online discussions after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed he could be the next Union Education Minister. However, neither the BJP nor the Union government has commented on the claim, and there is no official indication that Fadnavis is under consideration for the post.
ALSO READ: Who Is Riya Ahir? Mumbai Woman Behind Viral NEET Paper Leak Protest Video
Raghav Chadha
Raghav Chadha is a Rajya Sabha MP and one of the most prominent leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party. He previously served as the party's national spokesperson and has represented Punjab in the Upper House since 2022.
His name has appeared in discussions on social media and in a few reports about a possible Cabinet reshuffle. However, these reports do not cite official sources linking Chadha to the Education Ministry, and the Union government has made no announcement suggesting he is being considered for the role.
No official announcement yet
As of now, the Union government has not announced who will replace Dharmendra Pradhan as Education Minister.
While several names have surfaced in media reports, political commentary and online discussions, none has been officially confirmed by the Centre. Until a formal notification is issued, all names mentioned above should be treated as speculation rather than confirmation of the next Education Minister.
