Dharmendra Pradhan

Dharmendra Pradhan launches incubation centre to boost AI in schools

Technologies to be available in the centre include Google Cloud's unified AI platforms like Vertex AI and Gemini Enterprise

Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates school hackathon 'Viksit Bharat Buildathon'

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday inaugurated the 'Viksit Bharat Buildathon', a nationwide initiative to engage students of classes 6-12 to develop innovative ideas that address real-life challenges. Set up to be the largest-ever school hackathon, it goes live with events across schools nationwide on Monday. As part of the initiative, more than one crore students from 2.5 lakh schools across the country are being mobilised to ideate, design and develop prototypes under four pre-decided themes. "The buildathon is not only a competition but a mission, a movement to encourage innovation," Pradhan said. Events related to the Buildathon are being held on Monday and the winners will be announced in December. It was launched on September 23 It is being organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Atal Innovation Mission. The Buildathon calls upon students studying in classes 6-12 to join teams, think creatively, and develop ideas and prototypes that address

BJP names Pradhan poll in-charge for Bihar, Bhupender Yadav for Bengal

The BJP on Thursday made important appointments for key poll-bound states, including for next year, naming Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhupender Yadav as its election in-charge of Bihar and West Bengal. The party appointed Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, one of its vice presidents, its in-charge for the assembly polls in Tamil Nadu where it is a junior partner to the AIADMK. While the Bihar assembly elections are expected to be held in November, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are likely to go to polls in March-April. A BJP statement said Union minister C R Paatil, who heads the party's Gujarat unit and is considered a capable organisation hand, and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya are co-incharges for the Bihar polls. Former Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb is the co-incharge for West Bengal and Union minister Murlidhar Mohol is the co-incharge for Tamil Nadu, it added. Both Pradhan and Yadav are among the most experienced poll managers of the BJP and

Centre not imposing any language on any State: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said the Centre was not imposing any language on anybody. He termed those who claim that Centre imposes the three language policy on States as "politically motivated". "We are not imposing any language on anybody. For Class 1 and 2, there will be two language formula. One will be mother tongue. Here, it will be Tamil language. Government of India's condition is that you have to teach in Tamil in primary school. You can teach another language that is your choice," he said. Pradhan was speaking to reporters in the presence of professor V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, after taking part in the 'Think India Dakshinapatha Summit 2025'. Elaborating about the three language policy, he said from Class six to ten there is three language formula. "One language will be mother tongue. The rest two will be your choice. No language will be imposed by the Government of India on any State," he said. To a query on how the three language policy

Govt plans to add skill-based learning in Class 11, 12 curriculum: Pradhan

The Government is considering to add skill based learning be incorporated in the curriculum of Class 11 and 12 as per the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said here on Sunday. The Union education minister said there has to be a paradigm shift in learning methodology at the appropriate level and the National Education Policy 2020 was recommending it. "We are on the job to introduce skill based curriculum of Class 11 and 12," he said, at an event at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras here. Elaborating about the concept of including skill based learning in the curriculum, Pradhan said the earlier education system was certificate and degree focused. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi rightly said we need degree and certification but we need to make the students competent also," he said at the Dakshinapatha Summit 2025 at IIT Madras. "One of the primary recommendation of the NEP 2020 is skill based education," he said. Pradhan

Dharmendra Pradhan charts 25-yr roadmap for inclusive, research-driven IITs

The roadmap aims to ensure IITs lead India's scientific and societal progress by 2047, supporting PM Modi's vision of Samriddh, Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat

Parliament clears bill to set up India's 22nd IIM in Guwahati with ₹555 cr

The country's 22nd Indian Institute of Management (IIM) is set to be established in Guwahati with an investment of Rs 555 crore, as Parliament cleared a Bill in this regard on Wednesday, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan saying the new institution will start admitting students from the current academic year itself. The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed by the Rajya Sabha with a voice vote even as the Opposition staged a walkout soon after the bill was introduced. It was cleared by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The bill to set up an IIM in Guwahati will go for Presidential assent after its passage in both Houses of Parliament. Assam goes to the polls early next year. Introducing the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Pradhan said setting up of IIM-Guwahati, with a central outlay of Rs 555 crore, will contribute towards making India the third largest economy in the world. Later, replying to the discussion on the bill, Pradhan said this will be the 9t

Education minister Pradhan introduces IIM Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha

The Bill grants IIM Guwahati a Rs 555 crore fund for five years, making it the second IIM in the Northeast after Shillong, with a permanent campus to come up near Guwahati

Cong, Oppn protests part of plan to create instability in country: BJP

The BJP on Monday slammed opposition parties over their protest against the voter roll revision in Bihar and alleged vote theft in past elections, accusing them of trying to create anarchy in the country. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan termed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegation of vote theft against the ruling BJP and the Election Commission a lie and said the Congress has been resorting to such tactics as it has no other issues to raise. He alleged that the opposition's protest is a well thought out strategy to create instability in the country. Congress and other opposition parties want to create anarchy in the country, Pradhan charged. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, is speaking the language of those big forces who want to destroy democracy in India, he charged. Pradhan alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties are raising questions on the poll process and voter roll revision in Bih

Resolution of Kashmir problem lies in pens, not guns: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said the resolution of the "Kashmir problem" does not lie in violence but in education, emphasising that Kashmir is an educated society. "The resolution of the Kashmir problem does not lie in guns or lathis, but in pens. Kashmiri society is an educated society," Pradhan said, addressing the inauguration ceremony of the nine-day Chinar Book Festival at the SKICC here. The Union Minister of Education highlighted that following the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre in 2019, democratic processes are gradually being restored in Jammu and Kashmir. "Numerous things are happening for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. Democratic processes have been restored after many years. Several facilities or programmes for the poor and backwards classes, or various laws, which were not being implemented here before, are now benefitting the people of Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370," he added. Later, speaking to reporters, Prad

Repeated failures have pushed Rahul Gandhi into ideological vacuum: Pradhan

Referring to Rahul Gandhi as the most unsuccessful leader in the country's history, the Union Minister said his frustration had turned into criticism of the nation

University of Southampton first to set up full Indian campus in Gurugram

UK's University of Southampton has opened a full-fledged campus in Gurugram, becoming the first foreign university to do so in India under UGC rules. It will offer UK-aligned UG and PG courses

Farmers advancing towards mobile-based crop monitoring: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said farmers in India are now moving towards mobile-based crop monitoring and gaining access to global markets with the help of technology. He said the government aims to transform farmers not just into producers but into entrepreneurs. Speaking at the inauguration of the Centre for Agricultural Technological Innovation at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology in Meerut, Pradhan said that farmers will soon be able to get information on their mobile phones about expected rainfall -- which crops to sow, and the demand for agricultural products in various markets. He said that an innovation hub has been established at the university in collaboration with IIT, Ropar and the Centre for Agricultural Skill Development will also be launched soon. Highlighting the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture, Pradhan said AI will guide farmers in identifying crop diseases and suggest possible ...

Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates, lays stones for ₹480 cr projects in Odisha

Apart from this, Pradhan also participated in the Bahuda Yatra by pulling the chariot of Goddess Subhadra at Sabar Srikhetra in Koraput district

University of Liverpool to open Bengaluru campus, start by August 2026

The institute becomes the second UK university after Southampton to get UGC approval; 15 foreign varsities to open India campuses this academic year, says Pradhan

Caste census move shows gap between true intent, sloganeering: Pradhan

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday asserted the government's decision to include caste enumeration in the next census has exposed the difference between "true intentions and empty sloganeering". Addressing a press conference at the BJP Headquarters, Pradhan termed the move as a "gamechanger decision" which has been welcomed by a majority of opposition parties. "The gamechanger decision has exposed the difference between our true intentions and empty sloganeering by the Opposition, although it has been welcomed by most opposition parties," he said. In a major decision, the government on Wednesday announced that caste enumeration will be included in the forthcoming census exercise in a "transparent" manner. While making the announcement, the government slammed he opposition parties for using caste surveys as a "political tool". Opposition parties, including the Congress, have been demanding a nationwide caste census, making it a major election issue, and some states like

Steel sector to play vital role in achieving $5 trn economy goal: Pradhan

Steel sector will play a vital role in economic growth, job creation and industrial development as the country aspire to become a USD 5-trillion economy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Friday. He also said that green steel is the priority of the government to turn industrial transformation into a competitive advantage and this transition is magnificent in progress. Pradhan, who held the portfolio of the Steel Ministry earlier, was speaking at the second day of the 6th edition of Steel India 2025 Conference and Exhibition, being hosted jointly by the Ministry of Steel and industry body Ficci here. "As India progresses towards becoming a USD 5-trillion economy, the steel sector will play a vital role in economic growth, job creation and industrial development. This is India's decade to showcase innovation and collaboration across sectors as we work to realize the vision of Vikasit Bharat," Pradhan said. The steel industry will set a global benchmark for sustainab

Over 50 foreign varsities applied to UGC for approval: Pradhan in RS

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that three foreign universities are currently operating in the country and the University Grants Commission (UGC) is likely to grant approval to 50 qualitative foreign varsities in the coming times in the interest of students. Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, the minister said the University Act, 1956 says that UGC can amend its rules going by the needs of the time. "Around 14-15 lakh students of the country study abroad and a lot of our resources go into foreign land. Keeping that in view and to develop higher research within the country, it would be proper to bring in foreign universities. With this in mind, UGC has amended its rules," Pradhan told the Rajya Sabha. He said not two but three foreign universities are operating in India currently. Over 50 qualitative foreign universities are in talks with different state governments and have reached the UGC for permission, he added. "In the

Dharmendra Pradhan's father, Ex-Union minister Debendra Pradhan dies at 84

Veteran BJP leader Debendra Pradhan, who was a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, died on Monday, officials said. He was 84, and survived by his son Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union education minister. Pradhan, the former Odisha BJP president, breathed his last in New Delhi. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said he was a popular public leader and an able parliamentarian. "He had discharged his duties as the Union Minister for Transport and Agriculture from 1999 to 2001 with efficiency. As a public representative and MP, he had become the object of the common people's affection by doing many welfare works," Majhi said. "He dedicated his entire life for the development of the state with a spirit of service and determination," he added. Majhi said the country and the state lost a distinguished public servant. The CM also spoke to his son and expressed his condolences. Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Naveen Patnaik said Pradhan will be remembered for his ...

Tamil enrolment declining in TN schools: Pradhan attacks DMK over NEP

Unfazed by criticism from the opposition, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday again attacked the Tamil Nadu government over its stand on the new National Education Policy (NEP), accusing it of creating "fear psychosis" about the three-language formula while doing little to promote Tamil in the state. Tamil language is declining and colonial language is increasing in Tamil Nadu government schools, he said and asserted the central government is not trying to impose any language on any state. Pradhan said 67 per cent of students are now in English medium schools in the state, while Tamil medium enrolment has dropped from 54 per cent (2018-19) to 36 per cent (2023-24). Tamil enrolment fell by 7.3 lakh in government-aided schools, reflecting a deep shift in preference. He called on the DMK government to support multilingualism to cater to the demands of the outside world and appealed to it to think of the interests of the students of the state before taking a decision on th