Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi (born 27 November 1962) is an Indian politician serving as the 13th Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and 10th Minister of New and Renewable Energy since 2024. In July 2026, following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan amid the NEET 2026 Paper leak controversy, Joshi assumed office as the 10th Minister of Education while continuing to hold his existing portfolios.
๐ Early Life and Education
Pralhad Joshi was born on 27 November 1962 in Bijapur, Mysore State, India, to father Venkatesh Joshi and mother Malatibai Joshi. His father was an Indian Railways employee and Joshi is the third child of his parents.
Joshi’s primary education was in the Railway School, his secondary education in New English School in Hubballi, and for higher education he graduated from Shri Kadasiddeshwar Arts College in Hubballi.
๐๏ธ Political Rise and RSS Background
Joshi first came to public notice with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) when they organised a movement to hoist the Flag of India at the Idagah Maidan Hubli, Karnataka during 1992โ1994. He also led the “Save Kashmir Movement” during those years, which established him as a known figure in those regions.
He was then elected the president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Dharwad district. He has been elected to Lok Sabha in the general elections of 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024.
๐ Ministerial Portfolios
Joshi took oath as a Cabinet minister on 30 May 2019, and was appointed the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, the Minister of Coal and the Minister of Mines. His tenure in these ministerial posts lasted till June 2024.
After the 2024 Indian general election, Joshi was appointed the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and the Minister of New and Renewable Energy in June 2024. In July 2026, he was handed the additional charge of the Education minister after nationwide student protests over the 2026 NEET paper leak controversy led to the resignation of Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan.
๐ Electoral Record
Joshi first contested in the 14th Lok Sabha elections in 2004, where he won from the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency by defeating INC’s B.S Patil. In the 2009 General elections, he won by the second-highest margin amidst 28 constituencies in Karnataka.
Joshi’s win for the fifth time in a row from the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency was a record of consecutive wins by any candidate in the constituency. However, Joshi stated that he was unhappy due to winning with a reduced vote margin.
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ง Personal Life
Joshi married Jyoti Joshi on 26 November 1992, and they have three daughters. He has interests in reading, Indian classical music and cricket.
| Position | Tenure | Constituency | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution | Since June 2024 | Dharwad | BJP |
| Minister of New and Renewable Energy | Since June 2024 | Dharwad | BJP |
| Minister of Education | Since July 2026 | Dharwad | BJP |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | Since 2004 | Dharwad | BJP |