Dharmendra Pradhan

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

DMK MP Kanimozhi demands apology for Dharmendra Pradhan's 'abusive' remarks

Kanimozhi, the MP from Lok Sabha constituency Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, said the Union Minister's remarks were undemocratic and demanded an apology

Dharmendra Pradhan's comment on NEP sparks row; Lok Sabha adjourned

Pradhan said the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has changed its stand on implementing the centrally-sponsored scheme PM SHRI

'He was speaking like an arrogant king': CM MK Stalin to Dharmendra Pradhan

During the Lok Sabha proceedings, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alleged that Tamil Nadu initially agreed to sign MoU for the scheme but later changed its stance

TN CM slams Pradhan for 'arrogance', tells him to control his tongue

The CM's remarks came in the wake of the exchange between the DMK MPs and Pradhan in the Lok Sabha over the PM SHRI scheme and fund allocation to the southern state

Will not implement NEP even if Centre offers Rs 10,000 cr to TN: CM Stalin

Continuing his tirade against the Centre over the National Education Policy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday said he would not agree to implement it even if the Centre offered to provide Rs 10,000 crore in funds to the state. The opposition to the NEP was not merely due to the attempt to impose Hindi but also because of various other factors that would have serious consequences for the future of students and the social justice system, he claimed. Apart from encouraging a screening test for admissions to even arts and science colleges, similar to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical courses, the NEP would allow students to discontinue their studies. "Permitting students to discontinue studies is akin to asking them not to study," Stalin said, addressing an event organised by the Parents-Teachers Association here. "We are not opposed to any language but will remain firm in opposing its imposition. We are not opposing the NEP only for the atte

NEP 2020 does not advocate imposition of any language: Pradhan to Stalin

The Stalin government has alleged that the Centre is attempting to impose Hindi on southern states under the guise of the NEP, which suggests a three-language model for students

Udhayanidhi slams Pradhan over politics remark; defends 2-language policy

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Friday hit back at Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for attacking state CM M K Stalin amid the NEP row and asserted the state will only follow the 2-language policy. The state was seeking only its due share of funds from the Centre from the taxes paid by it, he said. "We are asking our (share of) funds, about Rs 2150 crore. They (Centre) want us to accept NEP and the 3-language policy. Tamil Nadu has always been opposed to three language policy, so what is there to do politics," he asked. "Tamil is our right, please understand who is doing politics," the DMK leader told reporters. Earlier in the day, Pradhan had attacked Stalin over the ongoing row on the implementation of NEP and accused him of "spinning progressive reforms into threats to sustain political narratives". In a letter to Stalin, Pradhan said the Tamil Nadu CM should rise above political differences and think about the interests of young learners who w

NEP row: Dharmendra Pradhan urges CM Stalin to rise above differences

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday attacked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the ongoing row on the implementation of NEP and accused him of "spinning progressive reforms into threats to sustain political narratives". In a letter to Stalin, Pradhan said the Tamil Nadu CM should rise above political differences and think about the interests of young learners who will benefit from the new National Education Policy. The education minister was responding to the letter Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. In his letter, Stalin said linking the two centrally sponsored initiatives -- Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and PM SHRI Schools -- with the National Education Policy (NEP) was fundamentally unacceptable. In his letter to the Tamil Nadu CM, Pradhan said, "The letter sent to PM is a complete negation of the spirit of cooperative federalism promoted by Modi government. Hence, it is inappropriate for the state to view NEP 2020 with a myopic ..

PM must interfere in federalism's interest, release SSA funds to TN: CM

Reiterating that linking the two different Centrally sponsored SSA and PM SHRI Schools initiatives was fundamentally unacceptable, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the immediate release of Rs 2,152 crore of Samagra Shiksha funds for the state. The Prime Minister should intervene in the interest of cooperative federalism and welfare of lakhs of students and teachers, he said. "To dissipate the unrest caused due to this issue, Rs 2,152 crores of Samagra Shiksha funds for Tamil Nadu for 2024-25 may be released immediately, without linking it to the implementation of National Education Programme (NEP) 2020. Considering the sensitivity of the issue, I look forward to your personal intervention in this regard, Stalin said in a letter addressed to Modi. He expressed deep concern' over the recent remarks of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan indicating that SSA funds for Tamil Nadu would not be released until the state ..

Stalin condemns Pradhan for alleged NEP, 3-language policy rider for funds

Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday accused Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of "blackmail" for allegedly taking a stand that Tamil Nadu would not be provided funds till such time it accepted the National Education Policy (NEP) and the three language formula. Tagging a video clip of Pradhan speaking to reporters in Varanasi on February 15, Stalin, in a post on 'X' quoted Pradhan as saying that Tamil Nadu has to come to the terms of the Indian Constitution and that the three languagae policy is the rule of law. Accusing Pradhan of "blackmail" for his alleged stand that Tamil Nadu would not be provided education related funds by the Centre till such time the state accepted the three language policy, the Chief Minister termed it as unacceptable, and Tamil people would not tolerate it. The state sought its due, from the Centre which is its right and if the central minister spoke arrogantly as if the state claimed his personal wealth, then, in that case, Delhi would have to ..

Draft UGC norms empower universities in faculty selection, says Pradhan

In a written response to a parliamentary question, Pradhan stated that the draft regulations aim to foster innovation, inclusivity, flexibility, and dynamism in higher education

Anger against corrupt, insensible 'Aapda' govt: Minister Pradhan slams AAP

Dharmendra Pradhan was addressing a community gathering in Shahapur Jat village under Greater Kailash Vidhan Sabha, Delhi, where many Oriya-speaking working people reside