New Delhi, July 26: Pralhad Joshi on Sunday took charge as Union Education Minister, a day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the position amid student protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and nationwide.

On Saturday, Joshi, the Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Minister of New and Renewable Energy, was assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education after President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers.

Joshi will continue to hold his existing portfolio along with the Education Ministry charge.

"The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India. Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Shri Pralhad Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his existing portfolio," an official release by Rashtrapati Bhavan stated.

This comes after Pradhan shared his resignation letter on X, addressing it to his "young friends". He said he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in view of the situation that had unfolded across the country.

The resignation follows weeks of nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, with students demanding greater transparency, accountability, and reforms in the examination system.

Meanwhile, CJP announced that it has withdrawn the 37-day-long agitation at Jantar Mantar in "good faith" after Pradhan stepped down and the Centre agreed to address their other demands.