HRD Ministry renamed as ‘Ministry of Education’

The Union Cabinet has recently approved to rename the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (HRD) as the Ministry of Education.

Background

• The name change was a key recommendation of the draft New Education Policy proposed by the former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan.
• The HRD ministry name was adopted in 1985, during the tenure of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, as it was changed from ministry of education.

Ministry of Education (India)

• The Ministry of Education (MoE), previously the Ministry of Human Resource Development (1985-2020).
• It is responsible for the implementation and formulation of the National Policy on Education approved by Union cabinet of India and to ensure that it is implemented in letter and spirit.
• The Ministry is held currently by Ramesh Pokhriyal and is divided into two departments
• The Department of School Education and Literacy, which deals with primary, secondary and higher secondary education, adult education and literacy.
• The Department of Higher Education, which deals with a university education, technical education, scholarship, etc.

UPSC