Education Ministry Secretary Removed From Post Amid Ongoing CJP Protest; Government Takes Action

New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing controversy and student agitation regarding NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the central government has made a major administrative reshuffle in the education ministry. The government has appointed a new officer to the post of secretary of the higher education department. Along with this, transfers and new appointments of many senior IAS officers have also been approved. However, the government has not given any official reason linking these changes to the paper leak controversy.

Who got the responsibility of the Higher Education Department now?

The government has appointed Naresh Pal Gangwar, a 1994 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre, as the new secretary of the Higher Education Department. Till now he was working as secretary in the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department. Now he will take charge of matters related to higher education in the Education Ministry.

प्रधानमंत्री मोदी जी ने पेपर लीक मामले में उदासीनता बरतने वाले शिक्षा सचिव को बदल दिया । पेपर लीक के गुनहगारों सहित शिथिलता या उदासीनता बरतने वाले लोगों पर कड़ी कार्रवाई होगी । मोदी गारंटी

— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) July 23, 2026

Where was Vineet Joshi sent?

Vineet Joshi, who was the secretary of Higher Education Department, has now been made secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. This change is part of the regular administrative reshuffle of the central government.

Has this decision been taken amid the student movement?

This decision has come at a time when students in many parts of the country are protesting on the issue of paper leak. Protests are also continuing at Jantar Mantar and students are demanding transparency and accountability in the examination system. However, the government has not made any official comment linking this transfer of officers to the agitation or the paper leak controversy.

What did Prime Minister Modi say?

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the future of the youth is the top priority of the government. He assured that strict action will be taken against those involved in cases like paper leak and work is also being done on the system of fast track courts to speed up the hearing of such cases.

Which officers got new responsibilities in other departments?

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has also approved the appointments of several other senior officials. T.K. Anil Kumar has been made Secretary of School Education and Literacy Department. At the same time, Piyush Goyal has been appointed Secretary General of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Apart from this, changes have been made in the posting and responsibilities of new officers at the secretary level in many ministries.

Did many senior officers get promotions?

The government has also given in-seat upgradation to several senior officials at the secretary level. These include the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), advisors to NITI Aayog and senior officials of the Skill Development Ministry.