Dharmendra Pradhan
Dharmendra Pradhan is an Indian politician who is serving as the 9th Minister of Education since 2021. He previously held cabinet positions as Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Minister of Steel, and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Pradhan represents the Sambalpur in the Lok Sabha as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He has also served as a Rajya Sabha member from Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
Early life and education
Pradhan was born on 26 June 1969 in Talcher, Odisha, to Debendra Pradhan, a former Minister of State in the Vajpayee ministry, and Basanta Manjari Pradhan. He became active in student politics through the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in 1983 while at Talcher College, serving as president and later secretary of the student union. He earned a postgraduate degree in Anthropology from Utkal University in Bhubaneswar.Political career
Early political career
Pradhan was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Pallahara in 2000. He entered the Lok Sabha in 2004 representing Deogarh until the constituency was abolished in 2009. He also served as National President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha from 2004 to 2006, and held various party positions including National Secretary and All India General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party.Ministerial tenures
Petroleum and Natural Gas (2014–2021)
Appointed as Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas in 2014, Pradhan was elevated to Cabinet rank in 2017. During his tenure, he oversaw initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which aimed to expand LPG access in rural India. The ministry also implemented the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy, the PAHAL subsidy reform, and campaigns encouraging voluntary subsidy relinquishment. Investments exceeding USD 60 billion were made to expand city gas distribution networks.Steel (2019–2021)
As Minister of Steel, Pradhan launched initiatives including Ispati Irada and Mission Purvodaya to increase production capacity, strengthen the secondary steel sector, and promote job creation and regional industrial growth.Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (2017–2024)
Pradhan implemented programs aimed at reskilling and upskilling the workforce, expanding ITI infrastructure by over 40% and increasing enrollment by 28% until 2019. The National Council for Vocational Education and Training and the Skill Saathi platform were established to standardize training and support trainees. Some critics highlighted challenges with placement rates and program duration.Education (2021–present)
Pradhan assumed office as Minister of Education in July 2021. He oversaw reforms to the National Testing Agency and the implementation of policies aimed at improving entrance examinations, including commissioning a committee led by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan. In 2024, the ministry faced scrutiny following allegations of malpractice in the NEET-UG; the Supreme Court of India found no evidence of large-scale malpractice, though isolated incidents led to over 100 arrests.Other positions
- In-charge, BJP Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka
- Co-Incharge, BJP Bihar
- Election In-charge, BJP Uttarakhand
- Member, ABVP National Secretary
- Held party responsibilities in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar
Controversies