Ananya Lohia , New Delhi - Newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi assumed charge on Sunday, a day after he was given the additional portfolio following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan amid nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak.

After taking charge, Joshi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting him with the responsibility and said his immediate focus would be to understand the ministry's functioning before taking any major decisions. Calling education a "new area of work", he said he was meeting senior officials to familiarise himself with the department's ongoing work and priorities.

President Droupadi Murmu accepted Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation on Saturday. Joshi will continue to hold his existing portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy while also leading the Education Ministry. Pradhan had stepped down, saying the move was in the interest of students amid protests over alleged examination irregularities.

Joshi said he would first study the ministry's functioning before outlining his priorities, as the Centre looks to address concerns over the country's examination system.