UGC Act Fallout: Political Pressure Builds on Dharmendra Pradhan as Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz Grows

New Delhi: Amid sharp nationwide protests over the UGC Act and sustained attacks from academics, students, and the Opposition, serious questions have emerged regarding the role of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Political corridors are abuzz with speculation that in a possible cabinet reshuffle before 2026, Dharmendra Pradhan could even be removed. The reason is not limited to the UGC Act alone, but also a series of decisions taken during his tenure that have damaged the government’s image and caused visible unease within the party itself.

While the government is projecting the UGC Act as a “bold step” toward reform and centralization in higher education, the ground reality is that the law has ignited widespread discontent across almost every state in the country. Questions raised over university autonomy, states’ rights, and appointment procedures have turned it into a political controversy rather than an education reform initiative. Teachers’ organizations, student groups, and several state governments see it as an attack on the federal structure. The Opposition alleges that instead of dialogue, diktats have been imposed in a sensitive sector like education.

Political analysts believe the UGC Act has proved to be a turning point for Dharmendra Pradhan. Within the party, he is increasingly being viewed as a “focal point of controversy”—a face that is generating unnecessary confrontation rather than advancing the government’s agenda. For the BJP leadership, this is a matter of concern, as the 2026–27 period is considered extremely sensitive in terms of education, employment, and youth politics.

Dharmendra Pradhan’s tenure as Education Minister has remained under criticism from the very beginning. Grand claims were made regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), but at the ground level, a lack of coordination with states and universities repeatedly came to the fore. On issues such as the three-language formula, curriculum changes, and examination reforms, allegations of haste rather than consultation have been made. The government’s strategy to stabilize the education system after COVID also came under scrutiny, with the burden of criticism ultimately falling on the ministry itself.

In addition, decisions related to vice-chancellor appointments, research funding, and the structure of autonomous institutions have also sparked controversies. In many cases, a perception developed that the ministry was sidelining the views of the academic community. The UGC Act brought together all these grievances on a common platform, turning the protest into a nationwide movement.

However, within the party, Dharmendra Pradhan is also regarded as a strong organizational leader. Wherever he has served as the BJP’s election in-charge, his role has remained a topic of discussion. In Odisha, he is counted among the party’s biggest faces, and the BJP has consistently performed well in Lok Sabha elections there. His organizational strategy is also credited with the BJP’s strong victories in the Bihar and Karnataka Lok Sabha elections.

Yet, the picture is not entirely one-sided. In the 2019 Jharkhand Assembly elections, where he served as election in-charge, the BJP lost power. Similarly, in the 2018 Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, the party suffered a crushing defeat. Despite a strong organization in these states, failing to reach power has been seen as a warning sign for the party. Critics argue that branding Dharmendra Pradhan as an “electoral talisman” is only half the truth—while he has succeeded in some states, outcomes in several crucial battles fell short of expectations.

This is why, after the UGC Act, dissatisfaction with him has not remained confined to the education sector alone. Within the party, questions are being raised about whether he is damaging the government’s “soft image.” The Opposition has already turned the issue into a political weapon, and even BJP-ruled states are facing discomfort at the leadership level.

BJP strategists are well aware that the discontent among youth and students cannot be ignored for long. If education policy generates widespread public sentiment against the government, it could impact forthcoming elections. In this context, speculation about a cabinet reshuffle is not merely rumor, but is being viewed as a potential political option.

For now, Dharmendra Pradhan is publicly defending the UGC Act, describing it as the foundation of the “future education system.” But the political reality is that this law appears to be more of a crisis than an achievement for him. The question before the party leadership now is clear—can he manage this controversy, or will the government seek to send a new message by removing him?

The coming months will clarify whether the UGC Act becomes a chapter of reform for Dharmendra Pradhan or the most controversial turning point of his political career. For the moment, one thing is certain: political attention on the Education Ministry and its minister is more intense than ever.