India's Education Ministry changes hands: A look back at 79 years of reforms, leadership, and persistent struggles

Nearly eight decades after Independence, India's education system stands at a crossroads. Despite successive governments introducing landmark policies, expanding premier institutions, and rolling out sweeping reforms, recurring paper leaks, governance lapses, institutional vacancies, and implementation challenges continue to cast a shadow over the sector.

The resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25, 2026, following nationwide protests over examination paper leaks and demands for accountability, has once again brought the effectiveness of India's education reforms into sharp focus.

Pralhad Joshi has been given the additional charge of the Ministry of Education while continuing to head the Ministries of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.

The change in leadership comes as the ministry faces growing pressure to restore confidence in the country's examination system and address long-standing structural issues that have persisted despite decades of policy interventions.

The Ministry of Education, headed by a Union Cabinet minister, is responsible for framing national education policies, improving school and higher education, promoting research and innovation, strengthening teacher education, and expanding access to quality education across the country.

From Independence to reforms

Since 1947, India has had more than 30 Education Ministers, each introducing reforms aimed at strengthening different aspects of the education system.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India's first Education Minister, laid the foundation of the country's modern education framework. During his tenure from 1947 to 1958, he promoted universal primary education, adult literacy, women's education, scientific research, and technical education.

He also played a key role in establishing the University Grants Commission (UGC), supported the development of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and encouraged the creation of institutions such as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Sahitya Akademi, Sangeet Natak Akademi, and Lalit Kala Akademi.

His birth anniversary on November 11 is observed every year as National Education Day.

Subsequent ministers continued expanding the education system through new institutions, literacy programs, teacher training, curriculum reforms, and higher education initiatives.

Dr. K. L. Shrimali focused on improving rural education and teacher training, while Dr. Triguna Sen strengthened technical education during a period that saw the recommendations of the Kothari Commission shape the National Policy on Education, 1968.

Dr. V. K. R. V. Rao promoted research-based educational planning, while S. Nurul Hasan expanded academic and research institutions, including the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).

Sheila Kaul emphasized girls' education and wider access to primary schooling.

Major policy milestones

One of the biggest turning points came under P. V. Narasimha Rao, who introduced the National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986. The policy focused on universal elementary education, teacher training, women's education, adult literacy, and vocational education.

The period also witnessed the launch of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Operation Blackboard, and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs).

During his two tenures, Arjun Singh expanded higher education by establishing more Central Universities, IITs, IIMs, and IISERs. His second tenure also coincided with key developments leading to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

Murli Manohar Joshi expanded the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), promoted science education, and introduced the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), 2000.

Kapil Sibal implemented the Right to Education (RTE) Act, introduced the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system and the CGPA-based grading system for CBSE Class 10 students, while promoting technology-enabled learning.

M. M. Pallam Raju focused on teacher education, institutional quality, and skill development.

Smriti Irani promoted digital education initiatives and began work on drafting a new National Education Policy.

Prakash Javadekar expanded digital learning through initiatives such as DIKSHA while encouraging research and innovation.

Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' oversaw the approval of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the renaming of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) back to the Ministry of Education.

Dharmendra Pradhan led the implementation of NEP 2020 through initiatives including PM SHRI Schools, the National Curriculum Framework, Academic Bank of Credits, National Credit Framework, multilingual education, and research promotion through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

However, his tenure concluded with his resignation amid nationwide protests over paper leaks and demands for accountability.

Ministry's changing identity

India established the Ministry of Education on August 15, 1947.

In 1985, the Rajiv Gandhi government renamed it the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), combining education with culture, youth affairs, and sports.

The ministry regained its original name on July 29, 2020, after the approval of the National Education Policy 2020.

At present, it functions through two departments: the Department of School Education and Literacy and the Department of Higher Education.

Key national reforms

India's education system has undergone several landmark reforms over the decades.

The National Policy on Education, 1968, based on the Kothari Commission, introduced the three-language formula and recommended free and compulsory education up to the age of 14.

The National Policy on Education, 1986, later modified in 1992, emphasized equality in education, Operation Blackboard, and expansion of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.

The Right to Education Act, 2009, made free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged six to 14.

The National Education Policy, 2020, replaced the 34-year-old education policy, introduced the 5+3+3+4 school structure, promoted multidisciplinary education and vocational integration, and restored the ministry's original name.

BJP era: Reforms and controversies

With Pralhad Joshi assuming additional charge, five leaders have now handled the education portfolio during the BJP-led government's 12 years in office.

Smriti Irani, who served from 2014 to 2016, rolled back Delhi University's Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP), initiated work on the NEP, and launched the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

Her tenure also witnessed controversies surrounding the JNU protests and the death of Hyderabad University research scholar Rohith Vemula.

Prakash Javadekar, who succeeded Irani, introduced the IIM Act, 2017, established the National Testing Agency (NTA), and amended the Right to Education Act by ending the mandatory No Detention Policy.

His tenure, however, was marked by the 2018 CBSE paper leak controversy and criticism over the Institution of Eminence status granted to the proposed Jio Institute.

Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' secured Cabinet approval for NEP 2020 but also faced criticism as several Central Universities and IITs functioned without permanent vice chancellors and directors. He resigned in July 2021, citing health reasons.

Dharmendra Pradhan became the longest-serving Education Minister under the NDA government. While he led the implementation of NEP 2020 and introduced multiple reforms across school and higher education, his tenure increasingly came under criticism over repeated examination irregularities, paper leaks, and the cancellation of competitive examinations.

The latest change in leadership has once again highlighted the gap between policymaking and implementation.

Successive governments have introduced ambitious education reforms, established premier institutions, expanded access to schooling, strengthened higher education, and promoted digital learning. Yet recurring examination controversies, governance concerns, faculty shortages, delays in institutional appointments, and implementation gaps continue to raise questions over the effectiveness of those reforms.

With Pralhad Joshi taking charge at a time of heightened public scrutiny, the ministry faces the immediate challenge of restoring credibility to India's examination system while ensuring that decades of education reforms translate into measurable improvements in governance, learning outcomes, and institutional accountability.