New Delhi, 24 July
Education Secretary Vineet Joshi Replaced Amid NEET Paper Leak Protests
In a significant administrative reshuffle, Education Secretary Vineet Joshi Replaced has emerged as one of the biggest developments amid nationwide protests over alleged examination paper leaks. The Centre has appointed Naresh Pal Gangwar as the new Education Secretary, while Vineet Joshi has been transferred to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
The appointment was announced through an official government notification issued late Thursday night as protests over the NEET paper leak controversy continue across the country.
The Education Secretary Vineet Joshi Replaced decision comes as the government faces increasing pressure from students and opposition parties demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle
The transfer of Vineet Joshi is part of a wider bureaucratic reshuffle involving 13 appointments and four in-situ upgrades across various ministries.
As part of the changes:
- Naresh Pal Gangwar has been appointed as the new Education Secretary.
- Vineet Joshi has been posted as Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- TK Anil Kumar has been named Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy.
The Education Secretary Vineet Joshi Replaced announcement came just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured stricter action against those responsible for examination paper leaks.
BJP MP Links Transfer to Paper Leak Issue
Reacting to the reshuffle, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey claimed the transfer was linked to the government’s response to the paper leak controversy.
According to Dubey, the Prime Minister acted against officials who allegedly showed negligence regarding the issue.
He stated that strict action would continue against both those responsible for paper leaks and officials found negligent.
However, the government notification announcing the reshuffle did not officially state that the transfer was directly connected to the ongoing protests.
The Education Secretary Vineet Joshi Replaced development has nevertheless drawn significant political attention amid the continuing NEET row.
Fast-Track Court Announced
The administrative changes followed another major announcement by the Centre.
A fast-track court has been constituted to ensure quicker disposal of paper leak cases. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said additional measures would be announced after discussions in the Union Cabinet, including efforts to introduce legislation aimed at preventing future examination leaks.
These announcements have come as student protests continue in several parts of the country.
Who is Vineet Joshi?
Before the Education Secretary Vineet Joshi Replaced decision, Joshi served as Secretary in the Department of Higher Education after assuming office in January 2025.
A 1992-batch IAS officer of the Manipur cadre, he has held several key positions during his career, including:
- Chief Secretary of Manipur
- First Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Education
Joshi holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from IIT Kanpur and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT).
Who is Naresh Pal Gangwar?
With Education Secretary Vineet Joshi Replaced, Naresh Pal Gangwar now assumes charge as the new Education Secretary.
Gangwar is a 1994-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre and was serving as Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
His previous assignments include:
- District Collector in Tonk, Jhalawar, Jodhpur and Bharatpur
- Secretary, School Education Department in Rajasthan
- Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Secretary in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Gangwar holds an MTech in Communication and Radar along with an MA in Economics.
Government Signals Tougher Stand
The Education Secretary Vineet Joshi Replaced decision, coupled with the creation of a fast-track court, signals the Centre’s intent to strengthen its response to allegations surrounding examination paper leaks.
While opposition parties and student organisations continue demanding accountability, the government has indicated that additional administrative and legal measures will be introduced to protect the integrity of competitive examinations and restore confidence among students.