Dharmendra Pradhan is an Indian politician serving as the Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the Government of India. An alumnus of Talcher College and Utkal University, he has also been the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Minister of Steel.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is a ministry of the Government of India which came into existence on 26 May 2014 after the formation of the First Modi ministry under the premiership of Narendra Modi. The ministry is responsible for coordination of all skill development efforts across the country. The ministry was formed with matters pertaining to industrial training, apprenticeship and other skill development responsibilities which earlier belonged to the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The ministry aims to remove the disconnect between demand and supply of skilled manpower, to build the new skills and innovative thinking not only for existing jobs but also for jobs that are to be created.