Dharmendra Pradhan

Cong hated Ambedkar, included his shameful cartoon in NCERT books: Pradhan

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Thursday slammed the Congress, alleging it has always hated BR Ambedkar and had even included a cartoon in an NCERT textbook showing Jawaharlal Nehru "whipping" Ambedkar. He claimed that the "crocodile tears" of the Congress over Ambedkar are just pretence. "Suddenly the Congress has got a lot of respect for Babasaheb Ambedkar. These crocodile tears of the Congress for Babasaheb are just a pretence, there is a huge difference between their words and actions. The Congress party's hatred and contempt for Babasaheb is well known, Pradhan wrote in a post on X. The Union Education Minister said that during the rule of the Congress-led UPA-2 government, a shameful cartoon was included in the NCERT textbook for Class 11 in 2012 in which Pandit Nehru was shown "whipping" Babasaheb Ambedkar. "After strong opposition from BJP, then Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal apologised and announced to withdraw it. "Obviously, such a shameful act cannot

NTA to conduct only higher education entrance exams from 2025: Pradhan

The NTA will not conduct any recruitment exams from 2025, instead focusing only on higher education entrance tests, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Tuesday. The agency will be restructured next year and new posts are being created, he added. 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) medical entrance exam and a series of cancellations of others due to suspected leaks and other glitches. The education ministry is also in conversation with the health ministry on conducting NEET in the traditional pen-and-paper mode or switch to a Computer Based Test (CBT). "The National Testing Agency (NTA) will be limited to conducting only entrance exams for higher education and not conduct any recruitment exams from next year," Pradhan told reporters. He clarified that the Common University Entrance Test - Undergraduate ...

NCERT textbooks to get cheaper next year as printing capacity triples

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

NEET in online or pen-paper mode: Decision expected soon, says Pradhan

The Education and Health Ministry are deliberating on whether to conduct medical entrance exam NEET-UG in pen and paper mode or online mode and a decision in this regard is expected soon, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Tuesday. The Education Ministry has held two rounds of talks with the Health Ministry led by Union Minister JP Nadda. Currently, NEET-UG is conducted offline - in pen and paper mode - wherein students have to solve multiple choice questions on an OMR sheet. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the largest entrance exam in the country in terms of number of candidates appearing for the test. In 2024, a record over 24 lakh candidates took the exam. "The administrative ministry of NEET is Health Ministry and hence we are in talks with them about whether NEET should be conducted in pen and paper mode or online mode. We have had two rounds of talks with Health Ministry led by JP Nadda. Whatever option will be considered best suited for

Need to create Indian model of women's empowerment: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday stressed upon the need to establish a level playing field for women in all spheres and "Indian model of women empowerment" has to be created to ensure that women belong to all decision-making structures and life choices. The minister made the comments at the inauguration of a one-day workshop 'Shaping Academic Excellence for VIKSIT Bharat @2047' for women leaders. "The emerging new world order will be driven by knowledge and women are breaking glass ceilings, challenging gender roles and their participation is increasing in all spheres, including in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). It is important to establish a level playing field for women in all spheres," he said. "Indian model of women empowerment has to be created to ensure that women belong to all decision-making structures and life choices. As we move towards realising the goal of Viksit Bharat, Nari Shakti will assume more decision-making roles," h

Rahul Gandhi comedy king, Parliament protest a desperate attempt: Pradhan

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over protests by opposition members in Parliament complex and termed him "comedy king" who is trying to stay relevant. 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 with Congress members wearing masks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani "Rahul Gandhi is indulging in what he does best Stand-up comedy! His malicious claims and rants have crumbled under the weight of comprehensive investigation every time. Playing the role of a pawn to perfection, he yet again attempts to mislead despite his misinformation campaigns failing to cut ice with the people of India," Pradhan wrote on X tagging a video of the protest. "Electoral verdicts since 2014 are a thundering testament that there are absolutely no takers for his stale, recycled propaganda. Such a clumsily crafted hit job i

India set to become $30 trillion-economy by 2047: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has asserted that India will become a USD 30 trillion-economy by 2047. Delivering a lecture at the concluding function of XLRI-School of Management's year-long platinum jubilee celebration here on Saturday, Pradhan said that India, the fastest-growing global economy, is currently in the fifth position and will bag the third spot in the next three years. "The world didn't even count India on the economic front when XLRI came into being 75 years ago. Today, we are the fastest-growing economy and fifth-largest economy in the world, with a size of US 3 trillion. We will be the third-largest economy in the next three years at USD 5 trillion. Our economy will grow to USD 30 trillion by 2047," he said. "We have to be wealth creators, job creators. We have the potential to create millions of jobs. The world is looking at India for digital public infrastructure... 46 per cent of digital transactions in the world take place in our country. We have .

Dharmendra Pradhan launches Bharti Airtel Foundation's 'TheTeacherApp'

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

Future-ready teachers key to shaping youth as India's clout rises: Pradhan

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

Govt undertaking reforms to ensure entrance exam system error-free: Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said the Centre is undertaking various measures, including reforms, to ensure that the entrance examination system is error-free. Recalling that the government had faced serious challenges in the conduct of the entrance exam last year, he said it had appointed a high-powered committee under the leadership of former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan. "They (committee) have suggested a lot of multidimensional reform, restructuring of NTA, new approach for the entrance process, looking into the mental health condition of the appearing students...," he told reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Indian School of Business (ISB) here. Broadly, the government has instructed the new National Testing Agency (NTA) leadership to look into all these areas, he said. Pradhan said at a meeting attended by the secretaries of state governments recently, he had appealed to all of them to be partners in the reform process. Many states have their

Despite Covid crisis, India growing at 7-8%, says Dharmendra Pradhan

Though several developed economies suffered badly due to the Covid crisis, India continued to grow at 7 to 8 per cent during the last 10 years, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Friday. In his keynote address at the Indian School of Business (ISB) here, 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. "Several developed economies in the world suffered badly due to the Covid crisis. Still, we are thriving with a 7 to 8 per cent growth rate since last decade and we will continue to do that," he said. The Minister of Education said India has a low corporate tax as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very clear on not getting money to the exchequer by imposing more taxes, but more income in low slabs. He further said 46 per cent of the global digital payments are happening in India even as 25 crore people have been out of the poverty line.

Apaar ID for students: Does it require parental consent? Key details

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

Need to develop education infra that surpasses global standards: Pradhan

Education infrastructure is a multi-dimensional concept that is beyond just developing brick-and-mortar structures, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Tuesday. The minister was at the inauguration of a national workshop on higher and technical education attended by secretaries of states and Union territories (UTs). "The country has to become a producing economy by utilising the opportunities presented by Industry 4.0 and leapfrog and develop education infrastructure that surpasses global standards. Education infrastructure is a multi-dimensional concept and beyond just developing brick-and-mortar structures," he said. Pradhan also suggested key areas for academic leaders and administrators to focus on -- strengthening public universities through innovative modes of funding; setting up thinktanks to align and tailor curriculum as per industry demand and also the needs and aspirations of states and UTs; adopting a multidisciplinary approach to research and innovation for assumi

NEP emphasise on Indians becoming global citizens, future-oriented: Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said the National Education Policy 2020 has emphasised Indians becoming global citizens by adopting good values, being future-oriented, and at the same time remaining connected to their roots. Addressing the 15th convocation ceremony of Jain Vishwa Bharati, 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 is what the world needs today. "It has been said in the new National Education Policy that we have to become global citizens by adopting good values. We have to remain connected to our roots and be future-oriented," he said. Jain Vishwa Bharati (JVB) is an institute with an emphasis on Jain studies and the Prakrit language, as well as Ahimsa (non-violence), Jeevan Vigyan (science of living) and Preksha Dhyan (Preksha meditation). Pradhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave Prakrit recognition as a classi

India, Singapore to collaborate in curriculum development, internships

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

Govt announces 3 AI CoEs for healthcare, agriculture, sustainable cities

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday announced three Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence (CoEs) focused on healthcare, agriculture and sustainable cities. The CoEs will be led by top educational institutions, in consortium with industry partners and startups. "The three CoEs in AI-healthcare, agriculture and sustainable cities', will democratise AI innovations and research to revolutionise healthcare delivery, strengthen food security and address critical urban challenges. These CoEs led by our top academic institutions will strengthen India's AI capabilities and power the growth of India's AI ecosystem," Pradhan said. "The CoEs in AI will emerge as temples of global public good. The talent and zeal that Bharat is blessed with, in the times ahead, these CoEs will be a key element of global public policy and also emerge as solution-providers of the world. "I am confident that the CoEs will give further impetus to the startup ecosystem in our country, help

Is Dharmendra Pradhan poised for BJP president post after Haryana success?

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

Saini is BJP's CM face in Haryana, asserts Pradhan after Vij stakes claim

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is the BJP's CM face and the party will score a hattrick of wins in the state under his leadership, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan asserted on Sunday after its senior leader Anil Vij said he will stake claim for the CM's post if the party returns to power after the October 5 assembly polls. "Being a party worker he may have said so but Nayab Singh Saini is the BJP's CM face," Pradhan, the Union Education Minister who is also the party's incharge for Haryana polls, told reporters in Karnal when asked about Vij's comment. 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. "I never sought anything from the party till today... people from Haryana are coming to meet me. Even in Ambala, people tell me that I am the senior-most, so why did I not become the CM. On the people's demand and on the basis of seniority, this time I will stake claim

Pradhan writes to TN CM Stalin over non-signing of PM SHRI scheme MoU

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over non-signing of an MoU for the PM SHRI scheme. The PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme aims to upgrade 14,500 schools and is expected to benefit 18 lakh students. It also aims to ensure that these schools serve as model institutes and encapsulate the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. The Centre has selected 6,448 schools from 28 states and Union territories for upgradation in the first phase. Pradhan said in his letter to Stalin, "I was happy to note when the state of Tamil Nadu gave an undertaking dated 15.03.2024, indicating its willingness to sign the PM SHRI MoU in the academic year 2024-25. After receiving the undertaking, a draft MoU was sent by the Department of School Education & Literacy (DOSEL) to Tamil Nadu. However, I was surprised to see that the state responded with a modified MoU wherein a key paragraph referring to the implementation of

Pradhan deplores insensitive attitude of Bengal govt to doctor murder case

Deploring the alleged "insensitive attitude" of the West Bengal government to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said a "fear psychosis" has gripped the children of the country following the ghastly crime. Pradhan, who was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme of IIT Kharagpur in the city, said the respective governments at the state and Centre must abide by the directives of the Supreme Court on the issue. "But the world has been witness to the insensitivity of the state government, the 'don't care' attitude, and the unsuccessful effort to hide evidence," he said. Asserting the Supreme Court has raised basic questions advocating strong steps about this incident in Bengal, Pradhan said it is shocking that a democratically elected state government which came to power on 'Maa Mati Manush' slogan has become "deaf to the cries" of justice of its people. Referring to the arrested civic volunteer San