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Minister of Education (India)

2026-07-25T09:24:39Z

2001:67C:198C:906:29:610:0:54:

{{Short description|Head of the Indian Ministry of Education}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=January 2017}}
{{update|date=July 2020}}
}}

{{use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2016}}

{{Infobox official post
| post = Minister of Education
| body =
| native_name = {{transliteration|hi|Śikṣā Mantrī}}
| flag = Flag of India.svg
| flagsize = 110px
| flagborder =
| flagcaption = [[Flag of India]]
| insignia = Ministry of Education India.svg
| insigniasize = 280px
| insigniacaption = [[Emblem of India]]
| alt =
| incumbent = [[vacant]]
| incumbentsince = 25 July 2026
| type =
| status = Resigned
| department = [[Ministry of Education (India)|Ministry of Education]]
| style =
| member_of = [[Union Cabinet of India]]
| reports_to = [[President of India]] [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Parliament of India]]
| residence = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| seat =
| nominator = [[Prime Minister of India]]
| appointer = [[President of India]]
| appointer_qualified = on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]]
| termlength = 5 years
| termlength_qualified =
| constituting_instrument =
| precursor =
| formation = 15 August 1947
| first = [[Maulana Abul Kalam Azad]]
| last =
| abolished =
| succession =
| abbreviation =
| unofficial_names =
| deputy =
| salary =
| website =
}}

The '''Minister of Education''', formerly the '''Minister of Human Resources Development''' (1985–2020),<ref name=News18>{{cite web|title=HRD Ministry Renamed as Ministry of Education as Modi Cabinet Reverses Change Made by Rajiv Gandhi
|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/hrd-ministry-to-be-renamed-to-ministry-of-education-as-modi-cabinet-gives-nod-2741719.html|website=News18|date=29 July 2020|access-date =29 July 2020}}</ref> is the head of the [[Ministry of Education (India)|Ministry of Education]] and a member of the Union Cabinet and one of the portfolios of the [[union cabinet]] in the [[Government of India]].

==Cabinet ministers==
*'''Note:''' MoS, I/C {{ndash}} Minister of State (Independent Charge)

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! #
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |Portrait
! rowspan="2" style="width:17em" |Minister {{small|(Birth-Death) Constituency}}
! colspan="3" |Term of office
! rowspan="2" style="width:8em" |Political party
! rowspan="2"| Ministry
! rowspan="2" style="width:9em" |Prime Minister
|-
!
! style="width:7em" | From
!style="width:7em"| To
!style="width:7em"| Period
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of Education
|-
!rowspan="2"| 1
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|rowspan="2"| [[File:Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.jpg|70px]]
|rowspan="2"| '''[[Maulana Azad|Maulana Abul Kalam Azad]]''' {{small|(1888{{ndash}}1958) MP for [[United Provinces (1937–1950)|United Provinces]] (1947{{ndash}}1952) MP for [[Rampur Lok Sabha constituency|Rampur]] (1952{{ndash}}1957)}}
|15 August 1947
|13 May 1952
!rowspan="2"| {{ayd|1947|8|15|1957|4|17}}
|rowspan="2"| [[Indian National Congress]]
|bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[First Nehru ministry|Nehru I]]'''
|rowspan="2"| [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]
|-
|13 May 1952
|17 April 1957
|bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[Second Nehru ministry|Nehru II]]'''
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of Education and Scientific Research
|-
!(1)
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Maulana Azad|Maulana Abul Kalam Azad]]''' {{small|(1888{{ndash}}1958) MP for [[Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency|Gurgaon]]}}
|17 April 1957
|22 February 1958 [†]
!{{ayd|17 Apr 1957|22 Jan 1958}}
|rowspan="2"| [[Indian National Congress]]
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[Third Nehru ministry|Nehru III]]'''
|rowspan="2"| [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]
|-
!2
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Kl shrimali.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[K. L. Shrimali]]''' {{small|(1909{{ndash}}2000) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Rajasthan]]}} (MoS)
|22 February 1958
|10 April 1962
!{{ayd|1958|2|22|1962|4|10}}
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of Education
|-
!(2)
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Kl shrimali.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[K. L. Shrimali]]''' {{small|(1909{{ndash}}2000) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Rajasthan]]}}
|10 April 1962
|31 August 1963
!{{ayd|10 Apr 1962|31 Aug 1963}}
|rowspan="9"| [[Indian National Congress]]
|rowspan="3" bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[Fourth Nehru ministry|Nehru IV]]'''
|rowspan="3"| [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]
|-
!3
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Humayun Kabir portrait.gif|70px]]
|'''[[Humayun Kabir (Bengal politician)|Humayun Kabir]]''' {{small|(1906{{ndash}}1969) MP for [[Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency|Basirhat]]}}
|31 August 1963
|21 November 1963
!{{ayd|1963|8|31|1963|11|21}}
|-
!rowspan="5"| 4
|rowspan="5" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|rowspan="5"| [[File:Mohamed Ali Currim Chagla.jpg|70px]]
|rowspan="5"| '''[[M. C. Chagla]]''' {{small|(1900{{ndash}}1981) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Maharashtra]]}}
|21 November 1963
|27 May 1964
!rowspan="5"| {{ayd|1963|11|21|1966|11|13}}
|-
|27 May 1964
|9 June 1964
|bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[First Nanda ministry|Nanda I]]'''
|[[Gulzarilal Nanda]] ''{{small|(Acting)}}''
|-
|9 June 1964
|11 January 1966
|bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[Shastri ministry|Shastri]]'''
|[[Lal Bahadur Shastri]]
|-
|11 January 1966
|24 January 1966
|bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[Second Nanda ministry|Nanda II]]'''
|[[Gulzarilal Nanda]] ''{{small|(Acting)}}''
|-
|24 January 1966
|13 November 1966
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[First Indira Gandhi ministry|Indira I]]'''
|rowspan="3"| [[Indira Gandhi]]
|-
!5
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed]]''' {{small|(1905{{ndash}}1977) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Assam]]}}
|14 November 1966
|13 March 1967
!{{ayd|1966|11|14|1967|3|13}}
|-
!6
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Triguna Sen 2010 stamp of India.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Triguna Sen]]''' {{small|(1905{{ndash}}1998) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Tripura]]}}
|16 March 1967
|14 February 1969
!{{ayd|1967|3|16|1969|2|14}}
|bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[Second Indira Gandhi ministry|Indira II]]'''
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of Education and Youth Services
|-
!7
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}"|
|
|'''[[V. K. R. V. Rao]]''' {{small|(1908{{ndash}}1991) MP for [[Bellary Lok Sabha constituency|Bellary]]}}
|14 February 1969
|18 March 1971
!{{ayd|1969|2|14|1971|3|18}}
|[[Indian National Congress (R)]]
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}"| '''[[Second Indira Gandhi ministry|Indira II]]'''
|[[Indira Gandhi]]
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of Education and Culture
|-
!8
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}"|
|[[File:SiddharthaShankarRay.png|70px]]
|'''[[Siddhartha Shankar Ray]]''' {{small|(1920{{ndash}}2010) MP for [[Raiganj Lok Sabha constituency|Raiganj]]}}
|18 March 1971
|20 March 1972
!{{ayd|1971|3|18|1972|3|20}}
|rowspan="2"| [[Indian National Congress (R)]]
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}"| '''[[Third Indira Gandhi ministry|Indira III]]'''
|rowspan="2"| [[Indira Gandhi]]
|-
!9
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}"|
|[[File:Saiyid Nurul Hasan 16 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Saiyid Nurul Hasan]]''' {{small|(1921{{ndash}}1993) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Uttar Pradesh]]}} (MoS, I/C)
|24 March 1972
|24 March 1977
!{{ayd|1972|3|24|1977|3|24}}
|-
!10
|bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Pratap Chandra Chunder - The noted educationalist and former Union Minister inaugurates the exhibition, of award winning and selected photographs from 18th National Photo Contest, jointly organized by Photo Division (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Pratap Chandra Chunder]]''' {{small|(1919{{ndash}}2008) MP for [[Calcutta North East Lok Sabha constituency|Calcutta North East]]}}
|24 March 1977
|28 July 1979
!{{ayd|1977|3|24|1979|7|28}}
|[[Janata Party]]
|bgcolor="#1F75FE"| '''[[Morarji Desai ministry|Desai]]'''
|[[Morarji Desai]]
|-
!11
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (Urs)}}"|
|[[File:Dr-Karan-Singh-sept2009.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Karan Singh]]''' {{small|(born 1931) MP for [[Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency|Udhampur]]}}
|28 July 1979
|14 January 1980
!{{ayd|1979|7|28|1980|1|14}}
|[[Indian National Congress (Urs)]]
|bgcolor="#6495ED"| '''[[Charan Singh ministry|Charan Singh]]'''
|[[Charan Singh]]
|-
!12
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:B. Shankaranand portrait.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[B. Shankaranand]]''' {{small|(1925{{ndash}}2009) MP for [[Chikkodi Lok Sabha constituency|Chikkodi]]}}
|14 January 1980
|17 October 1980
!{{ayd|1980|1|14|1980|10|17}}
|rowspan="4"| [[Indian National Congress (I)]]
|rowspan="3" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"| '''[[Fourth Indira Gandhi ministry|Indira IV]]'''
|rowspan="3"| [[Indira Gandhi]]
|-
!13
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Shankarrao Chavan 2007 stamp of India (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Shankarrao Chavan]]''' {{small|(1920{{ndash}}2004) MP for [[Nanded Lok Sabha constituency|Nanded]]}}
|17 October 1980
|8 August 1981
!{{ayd|1980|10|17|1981|8|8}}
|-
!rowspan="2"| 14
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|rowspan="2"| [[File:Sheila Kaul Lok Sabha photo.jpg|70px]]
|rowspan="2"| '''[[Sheila Kaul]]''' {{small|(1915{{ndash}}2015) MP for [[Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency|Raebareli]]}} (MoS, I/C)
|8 August 1981
|31 October 1984
!rowspan="2"| {{ayd|1981|8|8|1984|12|31}}
|-
|31 October 1984
|31 December 1984
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"| '''[[First Rajiv Gandhi ministry|Rajiv I]]'''
|[[Rajiv Gandhi]]
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of Education
|-
!15
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Shri K.C Pant (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[K. C. Pant]]''' {{small|(1931{{ndash}}2012) MP for [[New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency|New Delhi]]}}
|31 December 1984
|25 September 1985
!{{ayd|1984|12|31|1985|9|25}}
|[[Indian National Congress (I)]]
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"| '''[[Second Rajiv Gandhi ministry|Rajiv II]]'''
|[[Rajiv Gandhi]]
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of Human Resource Development
|-
!16
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Visit of Narasimha Rao, Indian Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the CEC (cropped)(2).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[P. V. Narasimha Rao]]''' {{small|(1921{{ndash}}2004) MP for [[Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency|Ramtek]]}}
|25 September 1985
|25 June 1988
!{{ayd|1985|9|25|1988|6|25}}
|rowspan="2"| [[Indian National Congress (I)]]
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"| '''[[Second Rajiv Gandhi ministry|Rajiv II]]'''
|rowspan="2"| [[Rajiv Gandhi]]
|-
!16
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:P. Shiv Shankar (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[P. Shiv Shankar]]''' {{small|(1929{{ndash}}2017) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Gujarat]]}}
|25 June 1988
|2 December 1989
!{{ayd|1988|6|25|1989|12|2}}
|-
!17
|bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Dal}}"|
|[[File:V. P. Singh (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[V. P. Singh]]''' {{small|(1931{{ndash}}2008) MP for [[Fatehpur Lok Sabha constituency|Fatehpur]]}} (Prime Minister)
|2 December 1989
|10 November 1990
!{{ayd|1989|12|2|1990|11|10}}
|[[Janata Dal]]
|style="background:#4C915F"| '''[[V. P. Singh ministry|V. P. Singh]]'''
|[[V. P. Singh]]
|-
!18
|bgcolor="{{party color|Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya)}}"|
|
|'''[[Raj Mangal Pande]]''' {{small|(1920{{ndash}}1993) MP for [[Deoria Lok Sabha constituency|Deoria]]}}
|21 November 1990
|21 June 1991
!{{ayd|1990|11|21|1991|6|21}}
|[[Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya)]]
|style="background:#74C365"| '''[[Chandra Shekhar ministry|Chandra Shekhar]]'''
|[[Chandra Shekhar]]
|-
!19
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Arjun Singh briefing the Media after two day meeting of the National Monitoring Committee on Minorities Education, in New Delhi on July 12, 2006 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Arjun Singh (Madhya Pradesh politician)|Arjun Singh]]''' {{small|(1930{{ndash}}2011) MP for [[Satna Lok Sabha constituency|Satna]]}}
|23 June 1991
|24 December 1994
!{{ayd|1991|6|23|1994|12|24}}
|rowspan="4"| [[Indian National Congress (I)]]
|rowspan="4" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"| [[Rao ministry|'''Rao''']]
|rowspan="4"| [[P. V. Narasimha Rao]]
|-
!20
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Visit of Narasimha Rao, Indian Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the CEC (cropped)(2).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[P. V. Narasimha Rao]]''' {{small|(1921{{ndash}}2004) MP for [[Nandyal Lok Sabha constituency|Nandyal]]}} (Prime Minister)
|24 December 1994
|9 February 1995
!{{ayd|1994|12|24|1995|2|9}}
|-
!21
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Madhavrao Scindia 2005 stamp of India.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Madhavrao Scindia]]''' {{small|(1945{{ndash}}2001) MP for [[Gwalior Lok Sabha constituency|Gwalior]]}}
|9 February 1995
|17 January 1996
!{{ayd|1995|2|9|1996|1|17}}
|-
!{{ndash}}
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Visit of Narasimha Rao, Indian Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the CEC (cropped)(2).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[P. V. Narasimha Rao]]''' {{small|(1921{{ndash}}2004) MP for [[Nandyal Lok Sabha constituency|Nandyal]]}} (Prime Minister)
|17 January 1996
|16 May 1996
!{{ayd|1996|1|17|1996|5|16}}
|-
!22
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Atal Bihari Vajpayee (crop 2).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]''' {{small|(1924{{ndash}}2018) MP for [[Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency|Lucknow]]}} (Prime Minister)
|16 May 1996
|1 June 1996
!{{ayd|1996|5|16|1996|6|1}}
|[[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
|style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[First Vajpayee ministry|Vajpayee I]]'''
|[[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
|-
!rowspan="2"| 23
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Dal}}"|
|rowspan="2"| [[File:Somappa Rayappa Bommai 132.jpg|70px]]
|rowspan="2"| '''[[S. R. Bommai]]''' {{small|(1927{{ndash}}2007) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Odisha]]}}
|5 June 1996
|21 April 1997
!rowspan="2"| {{ayd|1996|6|5|1998|3|18}}
|rowspan="2"| [[Janata Dal]]
|style="background:#4C915F"| '''[[Deve Gowda ministry|Deve Gowda]]'''
|[[H. D. Deve Gowda]]
|-
|21 April 1997
|18 March 1998
|style="background:#4C915F"| '''[[Gujral ministry|Gujral]]'''
|[[Inder Kumar Gujral]]
|-
!rowspan="2"| 24
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|rowspan="2"| [[File:Murli Manohar Joshi MP.jpg|70px]]
|rowspan="2"| '''[[Murli Manohar Joshi]]''' {{small|(born 1934) MP for [[Allahabad Lok Sabha constituency|Allahabad]]}}
|19 March 1998
|13 October 1999
!rowspan="2"| {{ayd|1998|3|19|2004|05|22}}
|rowspan="2"| [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
|style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[Second Vajpayee ministry|Vajpayee II]]'''
|rowspan="2"| [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
|-
|13 October 1999
|22 May 2004
|style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[Third Vajpayee ministry|Vajpayee III]]'''
|-
!(19)
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Arjun Singh briefing the Media after two day meeting of the National Monitoring Committee on Minorities Education, in New Delhi on July 12, 2006 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Arjun Singh (Madhya Pradesh politician)|Arjun Singh]]''' {{small|(1930{{ndash}}2011) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Madhya Pradesh]]}}
|23 May 2004
|22 May 2009
!{{ayd|2004|5|23|2009|5|22}}
|rowspan="3"| [[Indian National Congress]]
|bgcolor="#87CEEB"| [[First Manmohan Singh ministry|'''Manmohan I''']]
|rowspan="3"| [[Manmohan Singh]]
|-
!25
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Kapil Sibal.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Kapil Sibal]]''' {{small|(born 1948) MP for [[Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency|Chandni Chowk]]}}
|28 May 2009
|28 October 2012
!{{ayd|2009|5|28|2012|10|28}}
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#87CEEB"| [[Second Manmohan Singh ministry|'''Manmohan II''']]
|-
!26
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Pallam Raju (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[M. M. Pallam Raju]]''' {{small|(born 1962) MP for [[Kakinada Lok Sabha constituency|Kakinada]]}}
|28 October 2012
|26 May 2014
!{{ayd|2012|10|28|2014|5|26}}
|-
!27
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Smt. Smriti Irani in April 2023.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Smriti Irani]]''' {{small|(born 1976) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Gujarat]]}}
|26 May 2014
|5 July 2016
!{{ayd|2014|5|27|2016|7|5}}
|rowspan="3"| [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
|rowspan="2" style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[First Modi ministry|Modi I]]'''
|rowspan="3"| [[Narendra Modi]]
|-
!28
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Prakash Javadekar MIB (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Prakash Javadekar]]''' {{small|(born 1951) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Madhya Pradesh]], till 2018 Rajya Sabha MP for [[Maharashtra]], from 2018}}
|5 July 2016
|30 May 2019
!{{ayd|2016|7|5|2019|5|30}}
|-
! colspan="10" |Minister of Education {{small|(from 29 July 2020)}}
|-
!29
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', 2020.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Ramesh Pokhriyal]]''' {{small|(born 1959) MP for [[Haridwar Lok Sabha constituency|Haridwar]]}}
|30 May 2019
|7 July 2021
!{{ayd|2019|5|30|2021|7|7}}
|rowspan="3"|[[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
|rowspan="2" style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[Second Modi ministry|Modi II]]'''
|rowspan="3"| [[Narendra Modi]]
|-
!rowspan="2"|30
|rowspan="2"bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|rowspan="2"|[[File:Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education.jpg|87x87px]]
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Dharmendra Pradhan]]''' {{small|(born 1969) MP for [[Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency|Sambalpur]]}}
|rowspan="2"|7 July 2021
|rowspan="2"|25 July 2026
!rowspan="2"|{{ayd|2021|7|7|2026|7|25}}
|-
|style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[Third Modi ministry|Modi III]]'''
|}

== Ministers of state ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2"| #
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |Portrait
! rowspan="2" style="width:17em" |Minister {{small|(Birth-Death) Constituency}}
! colspan="3" |Term of office
! rowspan="2" style="width:8em" |Political party
! rowspan="2"| Ministry
! rowspan="2" style="width:9em" |Prime Minister
|-
!style="width:7em"| From
!style="width:7em"| To
!style="width:7em"| Period
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of State for Education and Scientific Research
|-
!1
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Kl shrimali.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[K. L. Shrimali]]''' {{small|(1909{{ndash}}2000) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Rajasthan]]}} (MoS)
|17 April 1957
|22 February 1958
!{{ayd|17 Apr 1957|22 Jan 1958}}
|[[Indian National Congress]]
|bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[Third Nehru ministry|Nehru III]]'''
|[[Jawaharlal Nehru]]
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of State for Education
|-
!2
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Ramchandra Martand Hajarnavis.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Ramchandra Martand Hajarnavis]]''' {{small|(1908{{ndash}}1976) MP for [[Bhandara Lok Sabha constituency|Bhandara]]}} (Minister of Cultural Affairs)
|13 June 1964
|29 October 1965
!{{ayd|13 Jun 1964|29 Oct 1965}}
|rowspan="3"| [[Indian National Congress]]
|bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[Shastri ministry|Shastri]]'''
|[[Lal Bahadur Shastri]]
|-
!3
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Sher Singh Kadyan Lok Sabha photo.jpg|70px]]
|'''Sher Singh Kadyan''' {{small|(1917{{ndash}}2009) MP for [[Rohtak Lok Sabha constituency|Rohtak]]}}
|rowspan="2"| 13 March 1967
|rowspan="2"| 14 February 1969
!rowspan="2"| {{ayd|13 Mar 1967|14 Feb 1969}}
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#87CEEB"| '''[[Second Indira Gandhi ministry|Indira II]]'''
|rowspan="2"| [[Indira Gandhi]]
|-
!4
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Bhagwat Jha Azad.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Bhagwat Jha Azad]]''' {{small|(1922{{ndash}}2011) MP for [[Bhagalpur Lok Sabha constituency|Bhagalpur]]}}
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of State for Education and Youth Services
|-
!5
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}"|
|[[File:Bhakt Darshan portrait.gif|70px]]
|'''[[Bhakt Darshan]]''' {{small|(1912–1991) MP for [[Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency|Garhwal]]}}
|18 February 1969
|18 March 1971
!{{ayd|18 Feb 1969|18 Mar 1971}}
|[[Indian National Congress (R)]]
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}"| '''[[Second Indira Gandhi ministry|Indira II]]'''
|[[Indira Gandhi]]
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of State for Education and Culture
|-
!6
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}"|
|[[File:Saiyid Nurul Hasan 16 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Saiyid Nurul Hasan]]''' {{small|(1921{{ndash}}1993) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Uttar Pradesh]]}}
|4 October 1971
|24 March 1972
!{{ayd|4 Oct 1971|24 Mar 1972}}
|[[Indian National Congress (R)]]
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (R)}}"| '''[[Third Indira Gandhi ministry|Indira III]]'''
|[[Indira Gandhi]]
|-
!7
|bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Party}}"|
|
|'''[[Dhanna Singh Gulshan]]''' {{small|MP for [[Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency|Bathinda]]}}
|14 August 1977
|rowspan="2"| 28 July 1979
!{{ayd|14 Aug 1977|28 Jul 1979}}
|rowspan="2"| [[Janata Party]]
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#1F75FE"| '''[[Morarji Desai ministry|Desai]]'''
|rowspan="2"| [[Morarji Desai]]
|-
!8
|bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Renuka Devi Barkataki official portrait.gif|70px]]
|'''[[Renuka Devi Barkataki]]''' {{small|(1932{{ndash}}2017) MP for [[Gauhati Lok Sabha constituency|Gauhati]]}}
|16 August 1977
!{{ayd|16 Aug 1977|28 Jul 1979}}
|-
!9
|bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Party (Secular)}}"|
|[[File:Rashida Haque Choudhury Lok Sabha photo.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Rashida Haque Choudhury]]''' {{small|MP for [[Silchar Lok Sabha constituency|Silchar]]}}
|30 July 1979
|14 January 1980
!{{ayd|30 Jul 1979|14 Jan 1980}}
|[[Janata Party (Secular)]]
|bgcolor="#6495ED"| '''[[Charan Singh ministry|Charan Singh]]'''
|[[Charan Singh]]
|-
!10
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Sheila Kaul Lok Sabha photo.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Sheila Kaul]]''' {{small|(1915{{ndash}}2015) MP for [[Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency|Raebareli]]}}
|24 November 1980
|8 August 1981
!{{ayd|24 Nov 1980|8 Aug 1981}}
|[[Indian National Congress (I)]]
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"| '''[[Fourth Indira Gandhi ministry|Indira IV]]'''
|[[Indira Gandhi]]
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of State for Human Resource Development
|-
!11
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:The Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Somnath Chatterjee addressing at the inauguration of the Orientation Programme for the media persons accredited to the press gallery of Lok Sabha, in New Delhi on July 28, 2006 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Margaret Alva]]''' {{small|(born 1942) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Karnataka]]}} (Women and Child Development, Youth Affairs and Sports)
|rowspan="2"| 25 September 1985
|2 December 1989
!{{ayd|25 Sep 1985|2 Dec 1989}}
|rowspan="4"| [[Indian National Congress (I)]]
|rowspan="4" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"| '''[[Second Rajiv Gandhi ministry|Rajiv II]]'''
|rowspan="4"| [[Rajiv Gandhi]]
|-
!12
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Sushila Rohatgi Lok Sabha photo.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Sushila Rohatgi]]''' {{small|(1921{{ndash}}2011) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Uttar Pradesh]]}} (Education and Culture)
|12 May 1986
!{{ayd|25 Sep 1985|12 May 1986}}
|-
!13
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Krishna Sahi Lok Sabha photo.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Krishna Sahi]]''' {{small|(born 1931) MP for [[Begusarai Lok Sabha constituency|Begusarai]]}} (Education and Culture, until 1988; Culture, from 1988)
|12 May 1986
|rowspan="2"| 2 December 1989
!{{ayd|12 May 1986|2 Dec 1989}}
|-
!14
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|
|'''[[Laliteshwar Prasad Shahi]]''' {{small|(1920{{ndash}}2018) MP for [[Muzaffarpur Lok Sabha constituency|Muzaffarpur]]}} (Education and Culture, until 1989; Education, from 1989)
|14 February 1988
!{{ayd|14 Feb 1988|2 Dec 1989}}
|-
!15
|bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Dal}}"|
|[[File:MGK Menon.webp|70px]]
|'''[[M. G. K. Menon]]''' {{small|(1928{{ndash}}2016) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Rajasthan]]}} (Education)
|20 January 1990
|23 April 1990
!{{ayd|20 Jan 1990|23 Apr 1990}}
|rowspan="2"| [[Janata Dal]]
|rowspan="2" style="background:#4C915F"| '''[[V. P. Singh ministry|V. P. Singh]]'''
|rowspan="2"| [[V. P. Singh]]
|-
!16
|bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Dal}}"|
|
|'''[[Chimanbhai Mehta]]''' {{small|(1925{{ndash}}2010) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Gujarat]]}}
|23 April 1990
|10 November 1990
!{{ayd|23 Apr 1990|10 Nov 1990}}
|-
!17
|bgcolor="{{party color|Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya)}}"|
|
|'''[[Bhagey Gobardhan]]''' {{small|(1934{{ndash}}1993) MP for [[Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha constituency|Mayurbhanj]]}}
|21 November 1990
|20 February 1991
!{{ayd|21 Nov 1990|20 Feb 1991}}
|[[Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya)]]
|style="background:#74C365"| '''[[Chandra Shekhar ministry|Chandra Shekhar]]'''
|[[Chandra Shekhar]]
|-
!18
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Ms. Mamata Banerjee, in Kolkata on July 17, 2018 (cropped) (cropped).JPG|70px]]
|'''[[Mamata Banerjee]]''' {{small|(born 1955) MP for [[Kolkata Dakshin Lok Sabha constituency|Calcutta South]]}} (Youth Affairs and Sports; Women and Child Development)
|21 June 1991
|17 January 1993
!{{ayd|21 Jun 1991|17 Jan 1993}}
|rowspan="6"| [[Indian National Congress (I)]]
|rowspan="6" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"| [[Rao ministry|'''Rao''']]
|rowspan="6"| [[P. V. Narasimha Rao]]
|-
!19
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Mukul Wasnik (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Mukul Wasnik]]''' {{small|(born 1959) MP for [[Buldhana Lok Sabha constituency|Buldhana]]}} (Youth Affairs and Sports)
|18 January 1993
|16 May 1996
!{{ayd|18 Jan 1993|16 May 1996}}
|-
!20
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Basavarajeshwari Lok Sabha photo.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Basavarajeshwari]]''' {{small|(1921{{ndash}}2008) MP for [[Bellary Lok Sabha constituency|Bellary]]}}
|19 January 1993
|15 September 1995
!{{ayd|19 Jan 1993|15 Sep 1995}}
|-
!21
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Kumari Selja.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Selja Kumari]]''' {{small|(born 1962) MP for [[Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency|Sirsa]]}} (Education and Culture)
|rowspan="3"| 15 September 1995
|rowspan="3"| 16 May 1996
!rowspan="3"| {{ayd|15 Sep 1995|16 May 1996}}
|-
!22
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|
|'''[[Krupasindhu Bhoi]]''' {{small|(born 1942) MP for [[Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency|Sambalpur]]}} (Education)
|-
!23
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress (I)}}"|
|[[File:Vimla Verma Lok Sabha member.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Vimla Verma]]''' {{small|(1929{{ndash}}2019) MP for [[Seoni Lok Sabha constituency|Seoni]]}} (Women and Child Development)
|-
!24
|bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Dal}}"|
|[[File:Kanti Singh in 2008 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Kanti Singh]]''' {{small|(born 1957) MP for [[Bikramganj Lok Sabha constituency|Bikramganj]]}}
|1 June 1996
|29 June 1996
!{{ayd|1 Jun 1996|29 Jun 1996}}
|[[Janata Dal]]
|rowspan="3" style="background:#4C915F"| '''[[Deve Gowda ministry|Deve Gowda]]'''
|rowspan="3"| [[H. D. Deve Gowda]]
|-
!25
|bgcolor="{{party color|Asom Gana Parishad}}"|
|
|'''[[Muhi Ram Saikia]]''' {{small|(1923{{ndash}}2007) MP for [[Nowgong Lok Sabha constituency|Nowgong]]}} (Education)
|rowspan="2"| 29 June 1996
|rowspan="2"| 21 April 1997
!rowspan="2"| {{ayd|29 Jun 1996|21 Apr 1997}}
|[[Asom Gana Parishad]]
|-
!26
|bgcolor="{{party color|Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar)}}"|
|
|'''[[R. Dhanuskodi Athithan]]''' {{small|(born 1953) MP for [[Tiruchendur Lok Sabha constituency|Tiruchendur]]}} (Youth Affairs and Sports)
|[[Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar)]]
|-
!(25)
|bgcolor="{{party color|Asom Gana Parishad}}"|
|
|'''[[Muhi Ram Saikia]]''' {{small|(1923{{ndash}}2007) MP for [[Nowgong Lok Sabha constituency|Nowgong]]}} (Education)
|21 April 1997
|rowspan="2"| 19 March 1998
!{{ayd|21 Apr 1997|19 Mar 1998}}
|[[Asom Gana Parishad]]
|rowspan="2" style="background:#4C915F"| '''[[Gujral ministry|Gujral]]'''
|rowspan="2"| [[Inder Kumar Gujral]]
|-
!(26)
|bgcolor="{{party color|Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar)}}"|
|
|'''[[R. Dhanuskodi Athithan]]''' {{small|(born 1953) MP for [[Tiruchendur Lok Sabha constituency|Tiruchendur]]}} (Youth Affairs and Sports)
|1 May 1997
!{{ayd|1 May 1997|19 Mar 1998}}
|[[Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar)]]
|-
!27
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Uma Bharati in 2014.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Uma Bharti]]''' {{small|(born 1959) MP for [[Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency|Khajuraho]]}}
|19 March 1998
|13 October 1999
!{{ayd|1998|3|19|1999|10|13}}
|rowspan="9"| [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
|style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[Second Vajpayee ministry|Vajpayee II]]'''
|rowspan="9"| [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
|-
!28
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Sumitra Mahajan.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Sumitra Mahajan]]''' {{small|(born 1943) MP for [[Indore Lok Sabha constituency|Indore]]}}
|rowspan="2"| 13 October 1999
|1 July 2002
!{{ayd|1999|10|13|2002|7|1}}
|rowspan="8" style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[Third Vajpayee ministry|Vajpayee III]]'''
|-
!29
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|
|'''[[Jaisingrao Gaikwad Patil]]''' {{small|(born 1949) MP for [[Beed Lok Sabha constituency|Beed]]}}
|27 May 2000
!{{ayd|1999|10|13|2000|5|27}}
|-
!30
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Syed Shahnawaz Hussain (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Syed Shahnawaz Hussain]]''' {{small|(born 1968) MP for [[Kishanganj Lok Sabha constituency|Kishanganj]]}}
|30 September 2000
|8 February 2001
!{{ayd|2000|9|30|2001|2|8}}
|-
!31
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Rita Verma Lok Sabha photo.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Rita Verma]]''' {{small|(born 1953) MP for [[Dhanbad Lok Sabha constituency|Dhanbad]]}}
|1 September 2001
|29 January 2003
!{{ayd|2001|9|1|2003|1|29}}
|-
!32
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:The Minister of Women's Right, Child Development and Family Welfare of Mauritius Mrs. Arianne Navarre Marie calls on the Minister of State for Human Resource Development Smt. Jaskaur Meena in New Delhi on March 18, 2004 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Jaskaur Meena]]''' {{small|(born 1947) MP for [[Dausa Lok Sabha constituency|Dausa]]}}
| rowspan="2" |29 January 2003
|22 May 2004
!{{ayd|2003|1|29|2004|5|22}}
|-
!33
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|
|'''[[Ashok Kumar Pradhan]]''' {{small|(born 1953) MP for [[Khurja Lok Sabha constituency|Khurja]]}}
|24 May 2003
!{{ayd|2003|1|29|2003|5|24}}
|-
!34
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Vallabhbhai Kathiria (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Vallabhbhai Kathiria]]''' {{small|(born 1954) MP for [[Rajkot Lok Sabha constituency|Rajkot]]}}
|30 January 2003
|9 January 2004
!{{ayd|2003|1|30|2004|1|9}}
|-
!35
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|
|'''[[Sanjay Paswan]]''' {{small|(born 1962) MP for [[Nawada Lok Sabha constituency|Nawada]]}}
|24 May 2003
|22 May 2004
!{{ayd|2003|5|24|2004|5|22}}
|-
!36
|bgcolor="{{party color|Rashtriya Janata Dal}}"|
|[[File:Mohd. Ali Ashraf Fatmi addressing the media in the Fifth Editors' Conference on Social Sector Issues (ECSSI) in New Delhi, 2004 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Mohammad Ali Ashraf Fatmi]]''' {{small|(born 1956) MP for [[Darbhanga Lok Sabha constituency|Darbhanga]]}} (School Education and Literacy)
| rowspan="2" |23 May 2004
|22 May 2009
!{{ayd|2004|5|23|2009|5|22}}
|rowspan="2"| [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]]
|rowspan="3" bgcolor="#87CEEB"| [[First Manmohan Singh ministry|'''Manmohan I''']]
|rowspan="7"| [[Manmohan Singh]]
|-
!(24)
|bgcolor="{{party color|Rashtriya Janata Dal}}"|
|[[File:Kanti Singh in 2008 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Kanti Singh]]''' {{small|(born 1957) MP for [[Arrah Lok Sabha constituency|Arrah]]}} (Higher Education)
|29 January 2006
!{{ayd|2004|5|23|2006|1|29}}
|-
!rowspan="2"| 37
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|rowspan="2"| [[File:D. Purandeswari, in New Delhi on February 07, 2013.jpg|70px]]
|rowspan="2"| '''[[Daggubati Purandeswari]]''' {{small|(born 1959) MP for [[Bapatla Lok Sabha constituency|Bapatla]] (till 2009) MP for [[Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency|Visakhapatnam]] (from 2009)}} (Higher Education)
|29 January 2006
|22 May 2009
!{{ayd|2006|1|29|2009|5|22}}
|rowspan="2"| [[Indian National Congress]]
|-
|28 May 2009
|rowspan="2"| 28 October 2012
!{{ayd|2009|5|28|2012|10|28}}
|rowspan="4" bgcolor="#87CEEB"| [[Second Manmohan Singh ministry|'''Manmohan II''']]
|-
!38
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian Union Muslim League}}"|
|[[File:The portrait of the Minister of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahammed.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[E. Ahamed]]''' {{small|(1938{{ndash}}2017) MP for [[Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency|Malappuram]]}} (School Education and Literacy)
|12 July 2011
!{{ayd|2011|7|12|2012|10|28}}
|[[Indian Union Muslim League]]
|-
!39
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Jitin Prasada assuming office as Minister of State, Road Transport and Highways (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Jitin Prasada]]''' {{small|(born 1973) MP for [[Dhaurahra Lok Sabha constituency|Dhaurahra]]}}
|rowspan="2"| 28 October 2012
|rowspan="2"| 26 May 2014
!rowspan="2"| {{ayd|2012|10|28|2014|5|26}}
|rowspan="2"| [[Indian National Congress]]
|-
!40
|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|
|[[File:Sasi Tharoor 2021 at Kollam.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Shashi Tharoor]]''' {{small|(born 1956) MP for [[Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency|Thiruvananthapuram]]}}
|-
!41
|bgcolor="{{party color|Rashtriya Lok Samta Party}}"|
|[[File:Upendra Kushwaha in 2018 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Upendra Kushwaha]]''' {{small|(born 1960) MP for [[Karakat Lok Sabha constituency|Karakat]]}} (School Education and Literacy)
|rowspan="2"| 9 November 2014
|11 December 2018
!{{ayd|2014|11|9|2018|12|11}}
|[[Rashtriya Lok Samta Party]]
|rowspan="4" style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[First Modi ministry|Modi I]]'''
|rowspan="5"| [[Narendra Modi]]
|-
!42
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Ram Shankar Katheria (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Ram Shankar Katheria]]''' {{small|(born 1964) MP for [[Agra Lok Sabha constituency|Agra]]}} (Higher Education)
|5 July 2016
!{{ayd|2014|11|9|2016|7|5}}
|rowspan="4"| [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
|-
!43
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Mahendra Nath Pandey (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Mahendra Nath Pandey]]''' {{small|(born 1957) MP for [[Chandauli Lok Sabha constituency|Chandauli]]}} (Higher Education)
|5 July 2017
|3 September 2017
!{{ayd|2017|7|5|2017|9|3}}
|-
!44
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Satyapal Singh.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Satya Pal Singh (Uttar Pradesh politician)|Satya Pal Singh]]''' {{small|(born 1955) MP for [[Baghpat Lok Sabha constituency|Baghpat]]}} (Higher Education)
|3 September 2017
|30 May 2019
!{{ayd|2017|9|3|2019|5|30}}
|-
!45
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Sanjay Dhotre.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre]]''' {{small|(born 1959) MP for [[Akola Lok Sabha constituency|Akola]]}}
|30 May 2019
|29 July 2020
!{{ayd|2019|5|31|2020|7|29}}
|style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[Second Modi ministry|Modi II]]'''
|-
!colspan="10"| Minister of State for Education
|-
!(45)
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Sanjay Dhotre.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre]]''' {{small|(born 1959) MP for [[Akola Lok Sabha constituency|Akola]]}}
|29 July 2020
|7 July 2021
!{{ayd|2020|7|29|2021|7|7}}
|rowspan="5"| [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
|rowspan="4" style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[Second Modi ministry|Modi II]]'''
| rowspan="6" | [[Narendra Modi]]
|-
!46
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Annpurna Devi Minister (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Annpurna Devi]]''' {{small|(born 1970) MP for [[Kodarma Lok Sabha constituency|Kodarma]]}} (School Education and Literacy)
|rowspan="3"| 7 July 2021
|rowspan="3"| 9 June 2024
!rowspan="3"| {{ayd|2021|7|7|2024|06|09}}
|-
!47
|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Dr. Subhas Sarkar Minister (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Subhas Sarkar]]''' {{small|(born 1953) MP for [[Bankura Lok Sabha constituency|Bankura]]}} (Higher Education)
|-
!48
|rowspan="2"bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|
|[[File:Rajkumar Ranjan Singh in January 2022.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Rajkumar Ranjan Singh]]''' {{small|(born 1952) MP for [[Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency|Inner Manipur]]}} (Higher Education)
|-
!49
|[[File:Sukanta Majumdar - Kolkata 2022-08-04 0400.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Sukanta Majumdar]]''' {{small|(born 1979) MP for [[Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency|Balurghat]]}} (Higher Education)
| rowspan="2" |10 June 2024
| rowspan="2" |''Incumbent''
! rowspan="2" |{{ayd|2024|06|10}}
|rowspan="2" style="background:#FFA551;"| '''[[Third Modi ministry|Modi III]]'''
|-
!50
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Rashtriya Lok Dal}}"|
|[[File:Shri Jayant Singh Chaudhary.jpg|70px]]
|'''[[Jayant Chaudhary]]''' {{small|(born 1978) Rajya Sabha MP for [[Uttar Pradesh]]}} (Higher Education)
|[[Rashtriya Lok Dal]]
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://mhrd.gov.in/former-ministers List of HRD Ministers]

{{Heads of the Ministries of the Government of India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Education_Ministers}}
[[Category:Union ministers of India]]
[[Category:Lists of government ministers of India]]
[[Category:Ministers of education of India| ]]

Dharmendra Pradhan

2026-07-25T09:23:38Z

2001:67C:198C:906:29:610:0:54:

{{short description|Indian politician (born 1969)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2026}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Dharmendra Pradhan
| image = Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education.jpg
| caption = Pradhan in 2026
| office = [[Minister of Education (India)|Union Minister of Education]]
| term_start = 7 July 2021
| term_end = 25 July 2026
| president = [[Ramnath Kovind]] [[Droupadi Murmu]]
| prime_minister = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor = [[Ramesh Pokhriyal]]
| office3 = [[Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship|Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]]
| term_start3 = 3 September 2017
| term_end3 = 9 June 2024
| predecessor3 = [[Rajiv Pratap Rudy]]
| successor3 = [[Jayant Chaudhary]] (as ''MoS I/C'')
| president3 = Ramnath Kovind Droupadi Murmu
| prime_minister3 = Narendra Modi
| office5 = [[Ministry of Steel|Union Minister of Steel]]
| term_start5 = 30 May 2019
| term_end5 = 7 July 2021
| predecessor5 = [[Chaudhary Birender Singh]]
| successor5 = [[Ramchandra Prasad Singh]]
| president5 = Ramnath Kovind
| prime_minister5 = Narendra Modi
| office6 = [[Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas|Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas]]
| term_start6 = 26 May 2014
| term_end6 = 7 July 2021
| predecessor6 = [[Veerappa Moily]]
| successor6 = [[Hardeep Singh Puri]]
| prime_minister6 = Narendra Modi
| office7 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| constituency7 = [[Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency|Sambalpur, Odisha]]
| term_start7 = 4 June 2024
| predecessor7 = [[Nitesh Ganga Deb]]
| office9 = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| constituency9 = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh|Madhya Pradesh]]
| term_start9 = 4 April 2018
| term_end9 = 3 April 2024
| predecessor9 = [[Prakash Javadekar]]
| constituency10 = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Bihar|Bihar]]
| term_start10 = 3 April 2012
| term_end10 = 2 April 2018
| successor10 = [[Manoj Jha]]
| office11 = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of [[Odisha Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency11 = [[Pallahara Assembly constituency|Pallahara]]
| term_start11 = 5 March 2000
| term_end11 = 15 May 2004
| predecessor11 = Bibhudhendra Pratap Das (INC)
| successor11 = Nrusingha Sahu (INC)
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|06|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Talcher]], [[Odisha]], India
| father = [[Debendra Pradhan]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Mridula Pradhan|1998}}
| children = 2
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| alma_mater = [[Utkal University]] ([[Master of Arts|M.A]])
| occupation = {{hlist|Social worker|politician}}
}}
'''Dharmendra Pradhan''' (born 26 June 1969) is an Indian politician who served as the 9th [[Minister of Education (India)|Minister of Education]] from 2021 to 2026. He has previously held cabinet positions as [[Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas (India)|Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas]] (2014–2021), [[Minister of Steel (India)|Minister of Steel]] (2019–2021), [[Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]] (2017–2024), and [[Minister of Education (India)|Minister of Education]] (2021-2026). Pradhan represents the [[Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency|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]].

His tenure as the federal [[Minister of Education (India)|Minister of Education]] has been marred by several controversies and irregularities, foremost amongt them the leakage of the examination scripts for the competitive NEET exam, held to filter candidates for undergraduate medical studies in India. Such successive leaks occurred first in [[2024 NEET controversy|2024]], and again in [[2026 NEET controversy|2026]], which warranted a retest involving over 2.2 million students.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India: What's driving the intense pressure on students? |url=https://www.dw.com/en/india-whats-driving-the-intense-pressure-on-students/a-77678137 |access-date=2026-07-22 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> The academic strain arising from the latter allegedly precipitated the suicides of at least 12 students, and has served as a direct precursor to the ongoing [[2026 Delhi Jantar Mantar protests|2026 Jantar Mantar protests in Delhi]], wherein student protestors, inter alia, are seeking his resignation and accountability from the BJP-led [[Union Government]]. Protests intensified with concerted calls for Pradhan's resignation owing to his alleged mismanagement of affairs, a heavy police crackdown (including but not limited to baton-charges and teargassing) on the student protestors notwithstanding.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-20 |title=India's 'cockroach' movement supporters caned by police |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-20/india-cockroach-party-march-supporters-caned/106936124 |access-date=2026-07-22 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> On 25 July 2026, Pradhan resigned from his post as Minister of Education <ref name=":0" />

Five criminal cases against Pradhan are currently outstanding.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dharmendra Pradhan(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- SAMBALPUR(ODISHA) - Affidavit Information of Candidate: |url=https://www.myneta.info/LokSabha2024/candidate.php?candidate_id=8053 |access-date=2026-07-22 |website=www.myneta.info}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Pradhan was born on 26 June 1969 in [[Talcher]], [[Odisha]], to Debendra Pradhan, a former [[Minister of State (India)|Minister of State]] in the [[Vajpayee ministry]] (1998–2004), and Basanta Manjari Pradhan. His family hails from the [[Chasa (caste)|Chasa]] community.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Women Voters, Welfare Schemes and Star Campaigners: The Prime Factors in Sambalpur Lok Sabha Contest|url=https://m.thewire.in/article/politics/women-voters-welfare-schemes-and-star-campaigners-the-prime-factors-in-sambalpur-lok-sabha-contest|publisher=The Wire|date=20 May 2024|access-date=20 May 2024}}</ref> He became active in student politics through the [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] (ABVP) 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]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2026}}

== Political career ==

=== Early political career ===
Pradhan was elected to the [[Odisha Legislative Assembly]] from [[Pallahara Assembly constituency|Pallahara]] in 2000. He entered the [[Lok Sabha]] in 2004 representing [[Deogarh Lok Sabha constituency|Deogarh]] until the constituency was abolished in 2009. He also served as National President of the [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]] (BJYM) from 2004 to 2006, and held various party positions including National Secretary and All India General Secretary of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP).{{cn|date=July 2026}}

=== Ministerial tenures ===

==== Petroleum and Natural Gas (2014–2021) ====
Appointed as Minister of State (Independent Charge) 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=USD 60 billion investment coming in gas infrastructure: Dharmendra Pradhan|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/usd-60-billion-investment-coming-in-gas-infrastructure-dharmendra-pradhan/article29673498.ece|access-date=10 September 2020|website=@businessline|date=13 October 2019}}</ref>

==== 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.psuwatch.com/ispati-irada-launched-by-pradhan-during-steel-chintan-shivir|title='Ispati Irada' launched by Pradhan during Steel Chintan Shivir|date=23 September 2019}}</ref>

==== Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (2017–2024) ====
Pradhan implemented programs aimed at reskilling and upskilling the workforce, expanding [[Industrial training institute|ITI]] infrastructure by over 40% and increasing enrlo by 28% until 2019. The [[National Council for Vocational Education and Training]] (NCVET) and the [[Skill Saathi]] platform were established to standardize training and support trainees.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2.5 Crore people trained under Skill India in 3 years|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/25-crore-people-trained-under-skill-india-in-3-years/1324725|access-date=10 September 2020}}</ref> Some critics highlighted challenges with placement rates and program duration.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sivapriyan|first=E.T.B.|title=Skill training: An incomplete solution to India's unemployment crisis|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/skill-training-an-incomplete-solution-to-indias-unemployment-crisis-1212085.html|access-date=22 September 2024}}</ref>

==== Education (2021–present) ====
Pradhan assumed office as Minister of Education in July 2021. He oversaw reforms to the [[National Testing Agency]] (NTA) and the implementation of policies aimed at improving entrance examinations, including commissioning a committee led by former [[ISRO]] chief [[Koppillil Radhakrishnan|K. Radhakrishnan]]. In 2024, the ministry faced scrutiny following allegations of [[2024 NEET controversy|malpractice]] in the [[National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)|NEET-UG]]; the [[Supreme Court of India]] found no evidence of large-scale malpractice, though isolated incidents led to over 100 arrests.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NEET: Why an exam has sparked national outrage in India|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv22wl82yldo|access-date=21 September 2024}}</ref>

'''NEET paper leak (2026)'''

In 2026, NEET-UG again became the subject of controversy after the [[National Testing Agency]] (NTA) cancelled the 3 May examination amid paper-leak allegations and scheduled a re-examination for 21 June 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=Conduct of Re-examination for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test [NEET (UG)] 2026 – Reg. |url=https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s37bc1ec1d9c3426357e69acd5bf320061/uploads/2026/05/20260515960654684.pdf |publisher=[[National Testing Agency]] |date=15 May 2026 |access-date=6 June 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: Re-Exam On June 21, Here's What Students Must Know |url=https://www.ndtv.com/education/neet-paper-leak-neet-ug-2026-re-exam-on-june-21-key-details-students-must-know-11503304 |work=[[NDTV]] |date=16 May 2026 |access-date=6 June 2026}}</ref> On 6 June 2026, supporters of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]], a satirical youth-led political movement, held a protest at [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi|Jantar Mantar]] in New Delhi and demanded Pradhan's resignation over examination leaks and marking-related concerns.<ref>{{cite news |title='Cockroach' youth group founder leads first street protest after arrival in India |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-cockroach-youth-movement-founder-arrives-new-delhi-protest-modi-2026-06-06/ |work=[[Reuters]] |date=6 June 2026 |access-date=6 June 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Saaliq |first1=Sheikh |last2=Hussain |first2=Aijaz |title=Mock political party for India's young 'cockroaches' holds first street protest |url=https://apnews.com/article/2c74e5597c1a7a4ac5a49ee8ce72f1cd |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=6 June 2026 |access-date=6 June 2026}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
{{See also|2026 Delhi Jantar Mantar Protests}}
Pradhan has five pending criminal cases, including allegations under the [[Indian Penal Code]] for promoting enmity between groups.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dharmendra Pradhan(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- SAMBALPUR(ODISHA) - Affidavit Information of Candidate |url=https://www.myneta.info/LokSabha2024/candidate.php?candidate_id=8053 |access-date=22 September 2024}}</ref> The [[2024 NEET controversy]] drew public criticism and parliamentary scrutiny.

The [[2026 NEET controversy]] led to widespread criticism of Pradhan's handling of national entrance examinations. In June 2026, the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] protest at [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi|Jantar Mantar]] was among the demonstrations demanding his resignation over examination leaks and grading-related concerns.<ref>{{cite news |title='Cockroach' youth group founder leads first street protest after arrival in India |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-cockroach-youth-movement-founder-arrives-new-delhi-protest-modi-2026-06-06/ |work=[[Reuters]] |date=6 June 2026 |access-date=6 June 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Saaliq |first1=Sheikh |last2=Hussain |first2=Aijaz |title=Mock political party for India's young 'cockroaches' holds first street protest |url=https://apnews.com/article/2c74e5597c1a7a4ac5a49ee8ce72f1cd |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=6 June 2026 |access-date=6 June 2026}}</ref> This lead to Pradhan's resignation on 25 July 2026 <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Asim |first=Mohammad |date=25 July 2026 |title=Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Sends Resignation To PM Modi Amid Student Protests |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/education-minister-dharmendra-pradhan-amid-cockroach-janta-party-protests-sends-resignation-to-pm-modi-11820136 |url-status=live |access-date=25 July 2026 |website=NDTV News}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Pradhan is married to Mridula Pradhan since 1998 and has two children. He resides in New Delhi.

== See also ==
* [[Third Modi ministry]]
* [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://veblr.com/user/DharmendraPradhan/videos Official Video Channel of Dharmendra Pradhan on Veblr.com]
{{G20-Education}}

[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Angul district]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Odisha]]
[[Category:Orissa MLAs 2000–2004]]
[[Category:India MPs 2004–2009]]
[[Category:India MPs 2024–2029]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Bihar]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Odisha]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Steel ministers of India]]
[[Category:Petroleum and natural gas ministers of India]]
[[Category:Ministers of education of India]]