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Dharmendra Pradhan

About Dharmendra Pradhan

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Who is Dharmendra Pradhan?

Dharmendra Pradhan is an Indian politician currently serving as the Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the newly formed government after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but has stepped down from post of Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Pradhan won the Odisha's Sambalpur constituency's 2024 Lok Sabha elections with 49.48 per cent vote share. While, his main opponent Biju Janata Dal candidate Pranab Prakash Das managed to secure 39.47 per cent of vote share. Previously, he has also been the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Minister of Steel. As a Member of Parliament (MP), Pradhan represents Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha and was earlier a member of the 14th Lok Sabha. Pradhan became the Minister of Education in second Narendra Modi ministry in July 2021 after the Cabinet reshuffle replacing Ramesh Pokhriyal.
 
Pradhan, who hails from the city of Talcher, was born on June 26, 1969 in Odisha. He is the son of Debendra Pradhan who was also a Minister of State in the Vajpayee government between 1999 and 2004.
 

In the history of independent India, Dharmendra Pradhan is the longest-serving Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas. He is popularly known as the "Ujjwala Man" as he is credited with the success of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) launched in 2016.

Education
Dharmendra Pradhan did post-graduation in Anthropology from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar and also worked on issues concerning the youth, such as unemployment, lack of skill-based education, rehabilitation and resettlement of farmers and played a major role in mobilising the youth in Odisha. He became an ABVP activist while studying as a higher secondary student in Talcher College, Odisha and was later appointed as the president of student union of Talcher College.
 
Politcal career
Pradhan began his political career in 1983 as an ABVP activist and was elected as its secretary. He also worked as an election in-charge in Bihar and as an in-charge of party affairs in Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Odisha and Jharkhand.
 
He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 from Deogarh after serving in different positions in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was also elected as the member of the Rajya Sabha for two terms each from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.
 
For his contribution towards society and the party, Pradhan was conferred with the ‘Best Legislator Award’, the Utkalmani Gopabandhu Pratibha Samman, 2002 and the 'Odisha Citizens’ Award' in 2013.

Latest Updates on Dharmendra Pradhan

The distribution of laptops and tablets will take place under the Sashakt Beti' and e-Drishti' programmes

Updated On: 02 Jan 2025 | 9:49 PM IST

He claimed that the crocodile tears of the Congress over Ambedkar are just pretence

Updated On: 19 Dec 2024 | 1:42 PM IST

The move is part of examination reforms based on the recommendations of a high-level panel set up earlier this year following alleged leaks in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)

Updated On: 17 Dec 2024 | 6:08 PM IST

Increased demand drives NCERT to boost printing from 50 million to 150 million textbooks next year, ensuring affordable prices and no financial burden on parents, says education minister

Updated On: 17 Dec 2024 | 4:03 PM IST

Currently, NEET-UG is conducted offline - in pen and paper mode - wherein students have to solve multiple choice questions on an OMR sheet

Updated On: 17 Dec 2024 | 2:48 PM IST

The minister made the comments at the inauguration of a one-day workshop 'Shaping Academic Excellence for VIKSIT Bharat @2047' for women leaders

Updated On: 13 Dec 2024 | 6:04 PM IST

Leaders of some INDIA bloc parties on Monday protested in Parliament complex over the Adani row, with Gandhi conducting a mock 'interview' over the issue

Updated On: 09 Dec 2024 | 7:35 PM IST

The Union education minister said that the New Education Policy was envisioned to create wealth and jobs

Updated On: 08 Dec 2024 | 12:21 PM IST

Platform includes 'free for life', CBSE-based resources to help educators meet evolving needs of education

Updated On: 25 Nov 2024 | 9:24 PM IST

The content is designed to foster future readiness, elevate pedagogical practices, and enhance student engagement in classrooms

Updated On: 25 Nov 2024 | 6:58 PM IST

Government has instructed the new National Testing Agency (NTA) leadership to look into all these areas

Updated On: 15 Nov 2024 | 1:54 PM IST

Pradhan said India is set to surpass Japan and France and become the third largest economy in the world in the next three to four years

Updated On: 15 Nov 2024 | 12:12 PM IST

Apaar ID initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Digital India' mission. However, experts have raised concerns about student privacy and potential constitutional violations

Updated On: 14 Nov 2024 | 12:39 PM IST

Pradhan pitched for promoting academic leadership development programmes in every state and UT through collaborations with eminent central or state institutions

Updated On: 12 Nov 2024 | 4:21 PM IST

Pradhan said the life philosophy propagated by India centuries ago that non-violence, balanced life, self-contentment, and right conduct are the essence of right knowledge

Updated On: 11 Nov 2024 | 7:38 PM IST

He will also visit Monash University to observe their Innovation Lab and Centre for Nano-fabrication

Updated On: 21 Oct 2024 | 1:28 PM IST

The CoE in healthcare will be led by IIT Delhi and AIIMS, while the CoE in agriculture will be led by IIT Ropar. The sustainable cities CoE will be led by IIT Kanpur

Updated On: 15 Oct 2024 | 5:23 PM IST

There is bound to be anti-incumbency against sitting MLAs. But if you deny them re-nomination, they can turn rebel and cause extensive damage

Updated On: 11 Oct 2024 | 11:46 PM IST

Earlier, Vij, who is a six-time MLA and former minister, said he would stake a claim for the CM's post due to his seniority, and the party will take a call

Updated On: 15 Sep 2024 | 8:13 PM IST

The Centre has selected 6,448 schools from 28 states and Union territories for upgradation in the first phase

Updated On: 30 Aug 2024 | 8:14 PM IST