PM Modi revamps his team with 43 new ministers, drops many heavyweights from 'young cabinet'

Kiren Rijiju is new Minister of Law and Justice

Smriti Zubin Irani is new Minister of Women and Child Development

Arjun Munda is Minister of Tribal Affairs

Narendra Singh Tomar is Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stays as Minister of External Affairs

Nitin Jairam Gadkari stays Minister of Road Transport and Highways

Piyush Goyal gets Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Textiles

Pralhad Joshi is Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; Minister of Coal; and Minister of Mines

Narayan Tatu Rane is Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is Minister of Minority Affairs

Ramchandra Prasad Singh is Minister of Steel

Giriraj Singh is Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Panchayati Raj

Sarbananda Sonowal gets Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; and Minister of AYUSH

Rajnath Singh stays as Defence Minister, Amit Shah as Home Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman keeps Finance Ministry

Bhupendra Yadav gets Ministry of Labour and Employment along with Environment ministry

Pashupati Kumar Paras gets Food Processing Industries ministry 

Anurag Thakur is new Sports minister along with additional charge of Information and Broadcast ministry 

Meenakshi Lekhi brings with her a strong background of articulation and interest in India's civilization and culture. Accordingly she will be MOS in External Affairs and Culture Ministry 

Parsohttam Rupala hails from Gujarat, the state with the longest coastline and where the dairy sector has been very advanced. These are also sectors that are close to the Prime Minister’s heart. His experiences in dairies, fisheries will be helpful in his tenure as a Cabinet Minister.

Jyotiraditya Scindia gets Civil aviation ministry

Hardeep Puri gets Petroleum ministry along with Urban Development

Piyush Goyal will handle the Ministry of Textiles in addition to the Ministries of Commerce and Industry. This will again bring in synergies between ministries that are export oriented, deal with trade policy and are among the biggest employment generating ministries.

Aswhini Vaishnav brings with him rich administrative experience that will come handy as he is assigned the important portfolio of Ministry of IT and Communications. He also got the Railways.  Railways and IT are being clubbed to ensure effective Tech usage in railway for passenger safety and convenience.

PM Modi keeps Science and Technology Ministry with himself

One minister will be in charge of Culture & Tourism and Northeast development

Mansukh Mandaviya gets Ministry of Health

Union Home Minister Amit Shah gets additional charge of Ministry of Co-operation in Modi's new cabinet.

Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the comrades who took oath today as a member of the Council of Ministers led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The entire team will work wholeheartedly under the guidance of Modiji in building a developed and strong India.#Govt4Growth will meet the criteria.

PM Modi tweeted, "I congratulate all the colleagues who have taken oath today and wish them the very best for their ministerial tenure. We will continue working to fulfil aspirations of the people and build a strong and prosperous India." 

Home Minister Amit Shah tweets, "Congratulations to all the comrades who took oath as the minister. I believe that the entire cabinet under the leadership of Narendra ModiJi will make its best contribution in taking the welfare policies of the government to the people with full devotion and dedication and in realizing the resolve of self-reliant India."

Anupriya Patel: Uttar Pradesh elections is very important for my party. My induction is a testimony to the fact that the people of Uttar Pradesh has approved the coalition of Aapna Party and BJP.

Newly-inducted Cabinet minister Jyotiraditya Scindia meets his supporters outside his house. While talking to media he said, "I am thankful to PM Modi for the opportunity. Will work like an obedient party worker."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a meeting of his news ministers on Thursday, 5 PM. As many as 15 Cabinet Ministers took oath on Wednesday. 22 leaders were sworn-in as Minister of State.

Nisith Pramanik is a Lok Sabha MP for Cooch Behar in West Bengal, serving his 1st term as MP. He has also worked as an Assistant Teacher in a Primary School. He has a BCA degree. He is from Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

L Murugan has practiced as a Lawyer in Madras High Court for 15 years before joining full-time public life. He was Vice Chairman of the National Commission of Scheduled Castes from 2017 to 2020. He holds a LLM and PhD in Law from Madras University. He is from Kongu Naadu, Tamil Nadu.

John Barla is a Lok Sabha MP for Alipurduars in West Bengal, serving his 1st term as MP. He has worked tirelessly for the rights of tea garden workers, primarily in North Bengal and Assam for 2 decades. Coming from a humble background, he had started of as a tea garden worker at the tender age of 14. He is from Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.

Munjapara Mahendrabhai is a Lok Sabha MP for Surendranagar in Gujarat, serving his 1st term as MP. Prior to his political career, he had a 3 decades long distinguished career as a Cardiologist and Professor of Medicine in Gujarat. A social worker at heart, he offered medicines at Rs 2 and served as many as 8 lakh patients through various medical camps. He holds an MD in General Medicine and Therapeutics from Gujarat
University.  He is from Surendranagar, Gujarat.

Shantanu Thakur is a Lok Sabha MP for Bongaon in West Bengal, serving his 1st term as MP. He is a senior leader of the Matua community. He holds a BA in English from Karnataka State Open University and Diploma in Hospitality Management. He is from Presidency, West Bengal.

Bishweswar Tudu is a Lok Sabha MP for Mayurbhanj in Odisha, serving his 1st term as MP. Tudu (56) hails from the Cuttack region of Odisha. Prior to his political career, he worked as a Senior Engineer in Water Resources Department in Odisha. He holds a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Utkalmani Gopabandhu Institute of Engineering, Rourkela. He is Mayurbhanj, Odisha.

Bharati Pravin Pawar is a Lok Sabha MP for Dindori in Maharashtra, serving her 1st term as MP. She served as Member of Nashik Zila Parishad and worked for eradicating malnutrition and providing clean drinking water. Before joining public life, she was a Medical Practitioner. She holds a MBBS degree in Surgery from NDMVPS Medical College, Nashik. He is from Khandesh, Maharashtra.

Rajkumar Ranjan Singh is a Lok Sabha MP for Inner Manipur in Manipur, serving his 1st term as MP. Prior to his political career, he had a 4 decade long career as an geography Professor, ending as Director of College Development Council in Manipur University. He has a MA and PhD in Geography from Gauhati University. He is from Imphal, Manipur.

Dr Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad is a Rajya Sabha MP for Maharashtra, serving his 1st term as MP. In public life, he has served as Mayor of Aurangabad Municipal Corporation and Chairman of Marathwada Legal Development Corporation. A Doctor by profession, he runs Dr Karad Multi Specialty Hospital & Research Center in Aurangabad. He holds MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Pediatric Surgery), and FCPS (General Surgery) degrees from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University and Mumbai University. Karad is from Marathwada, Maharashtra.

Subhas Sarkar (67) is a Lok Sabha MP for Bankura in West Bengal, serving his 1st term as MP. He is a Gynaecologist and board member of AIIMS Kalyani. A social worker since youth, he has been in public life for around nearly 5 decades and was associated with Ramakrishna Mission. He holds an MBBS degree from Calcutta University and Certificate in Ultra Sonography, Infertlity and Laparoscopy. Sarkar is from Medinipur, West Bengal

Sushri Pratima Bhoumik is a Lok Sabha MP for Tripura West in Tripura, serving her 1st term as MP. She comes from a humble background, practices farming. She holds a Graduate degree in Bio-Science from Women's College, Tripura University Agartala. Bhoumik (52) is from Tripura.

Kapil Moreshwar Patil is a Lok Sabha MP for Bhiwandi in Maharashtra, serving his 2nd term as MP. A grassroot politician, he has served for 3 decades across various positions - from Sarpanch of Dive-Anjur Gram Panchayat to President of Thane Zila Parishad. He holds a BA degree from Mumbai University. Patil is from Konkan, Maharashtra

Bhagwanth Khuba is a Lok Sabha MP for Bidar in Karnataka, serving his 2nd term as MP. He hold a BTech degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sree Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur. Khuba (54) is from Bidar, Karnataka.

Devusinh Chauhan is a Lok Sabha MP for Kheda in Gujarat, serving his 2nd term as MP. He has been 2-times MLA in Gujarat Legislative Assembly. Prior to his full-time political career, he has served as an Engineer in All India Radio. He holds a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Govt Polytechnic, Porbandar. Devusinh Kheda, Gujarat.

Ajay Kumar is a Lok Sabha MP for Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, serving his 2nd term as MP. He has been a MLA in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Member in Kheri Zila Parishad. He has served 3 decades in public life. He has a BSc LLB from Kanpur University. Ajay Kumar is from Awadh, Uttar Pradesh.

B L Verma is a Rajya Sabha MP for Uttar Pradesh, serving his 1st term as MP. He has served over 35 years in public life. He has an MA from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. Verma is from Rohilakhand, Uttar Pradesh.

Ajay Bhatt is a Lok Sabha MP for Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar in Uttarakhand, serving his 1st term as MP. He was a 3-time MLA in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly. He held portfolios like Parliamentary Affairs, Health, Disaster Excise as Cabinet Minister in Uttarakhand Government. He has served over 25 years in public life. Prior to public service, he practiced as a Lawyer in Ranikhet. He has an LLB from Kumaun University. Bhatt (60) is from Almora, Uttarakhand.

Kaushal Kishore is a Lok Sabha MP for Mohanlalganj in Uttar Pradesh, serving his 2nd term as MP. He has served as MLA in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He been Minister of State in Uttar Pradesh Government. He has served over 3 decades in public life. He has a BSc from Kalicharan Inter College. Kishore (61) is from Awadh, Uttar Pradesh.

A Narayanaswamy is a Lok Sabha MP for Chitradurg in Karnataka, serving his 1st term as MP. He has also been elected as 4-times MLA in Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He has also been Cabinet Minister in Karnataka Government. He has served over 3 decades in public life. He has an BA from Government Arts College, Bengaluru. Narayanaswamy (64) is from Chitradurg, Karnataka.

Annpurna Devi is a Lok Sabha MP for Kodarma in Jharkhand, serving her 1st term as MP. She has also been a 4-time MLA from Jharkhand and Bihar. She has served as Cabinet Minister in Government of Jharkhand, holding portfolios like Irrigation, Women & Child Welfare, Registration. She also served as Minister of State for Mines and Geology in the Government of Bihar, at the young age of 30. She has a MA in History from Ranchi University. She is from North Chhotanagpur, Jharkhand.

Meenakashi Lekhi is a Lok Sabha MP for New Delhi, serving her second term as MP. Lekhi has also been a Member of New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). Lekhi (54) is a Supreme Court Lawyer and Social Worker and has studied LLB from Delhi University.

Darshana Vikram Jardosh is a Lok Sabha MP for Surat in Gujarat, serving her 3rd term as MP. She has also been Corporator of Surat Municipal Corporation and Member of Gujarat Social Welfare Board. She has served for 4 decades in public life. She is Director of ‘Sanskruti’, an art and cultural organization. She has studied BCom from K P Commerce College, Surat. She is Surat, Gujarat

Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma is a Lok Sabha MP for Jalaun in Uttar Pradesh, serving his 5th term as MP. He was also an MLA in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He has served over 3 decades in public life, having started his political career in 1980s. He as an MA LLB from Bundelkhand University. Verma (63) is from Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh.

Sushri Shobha Karandlaje is a Lok Sabha MP for Udupi Chikmagalur in Karnataka, serving her 2nd term as MP. She has also been 1-time MLA and 1-time MLC in Karnataka. She has served as Cabinet Minister in Government of Karnataka, holding a range of portfolios across Food and Civil Supplies, Power, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj System. She has been in public life for 3 decades, since her student days. She has a MA in Sociology from Mangalore University.  Karandlaje, 54, is from Dakshin Kannada, Karnataka.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar is a Rajya Sabha MP for Karnataka, serving his 3rd term as MP. He has served on various Parliamentary Standing Committees. He has enjoyed a long career as a successful Entrepreneur across multiple industries. He has a MTech in Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology, along with Advanced Management Program from Harvard University. Chandrasekhar (57) is from Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Dr. Satya Pal Singh Baghel is a Lok Sabha MP for Agra in Uttar Pradesh, serving his 5th term as MP. He has served as a Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Minor Irrigation in Uttar Pradesh Government. He has also been a MLA in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He has a PhD in Military Science from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut and LLB from the same. Baghel, 61, also holds a degree in MA and MSc. Baghel is from Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Anupriya Singh Patel is a Lok Sabha MP for Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, serving her 2nd term as MP.  She has served as Union Minister of State for Health under PM Narendra Modi. Anupriya, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh has also served as an MLA in Uttar Pradesh. Prior to beginning her political career, she worked as a Professor at Amity University, and has a MBA from Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University, Kanpur. 

Pankaj Choudhary is a Lok Sabha MP for Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh, serving his 6 th term as MP. He has held the post of Deputy Mayor of Gorakhpur in the past. He has served in public life for over 3 decades. Choudhary, 56, is a Graduate from Gorakhpur University. He is from Purvanchal, Uttar Pradesh

Anurag Singh Thakur is a member of the Lower House of Parliament from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh, and also serves as a Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs.

G. Kishan Reddy takes oath to be part Modi Cabinet. He is currently serves as Minister of State for Home Affairs  

Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala is known to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rupala is Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. He was a member of Rajya Sabha, representing the Indian state of Gujarat and a leader of Bharatiya Janata Party.

Mansukh Mandaviya is the Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilizers. He is also a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat.

Puri is former diplomat is the current Civil Aviation Minister and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Raj Kumar Singh takes oath to be part Modi Cabinet 

Kiren Rijiju takes oath to be part Modi Cabinet. He has been handling the Sports Ministry. 

Bhupender Yadav is a Rajya Sabha MP for Rajasthan, serving his 2nd term. He is known for his leadership across many Parliamentary Committees. Prior to beginning his political career, he was an Advocate in the Supreme Court and also served as government Counsel for important Commissions. He has been in public life for over 2 decades. He has an LLB from Government College, Ajmer. He is from Ajmer, Rajasthan.

Pashu Pati Kumar Paras is the Lok Sabha MP for Hajipur in Bihar. He has been a 7-time MLA and 1-time MLC in Bihar, making him one of India’s senior-most State legislators. He has also served as Minister in the Bihar Government. He has served over 45 years in public life. He has a BEd from Bhagalpur University. Paras (68) is from Munger, Bihar.

Ashwini Vaishnaw is a Rajya Sabha MP for Odisha. A former IAS Officer of the 1994 batch, he handled important responsibilities over 15 years and was particularly known for his contribution to the PPP framework in Infrastructure. Post that, Vaishnaw has held leadership roles across major global companies such as General Electric and Siemens. Vaishnaw (50) has a MBA from Wharton School, Pennysylvania University and MTech from IIT Kanpur. He is from Odisha.

Ramchandra Prasad Singh is a Rajya Sabha MP for Bihar serving his 2nd term as MP. He is a retired IAS officer of the 1984 batch, having served over 25 years across various capacities and domains. Singh, 64, An alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University, he holds an MA in International Relations. He is from Nalanda.

Jyotiraditya M Scindia is a Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh, serving his 5 th term as MP. He has been Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power and Union Minister of State for Commerce & Communications in earlier Governments. Coming from an illustrious royal lineage, he has been in public life for over 2 decades. He has also previously held the responsibility as President of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association. He has an MBA from Stanford University and BA from Harvard University

Dr. Virendra Kumar takes oath to be part Modi Cabinet.  

Assam's Sarbananda Sonowal takes oath to be part of Modi Cabinet

Narayan Tatu Rane takes oath to be part of Modi Cabinet

President Ramnath Kovind has accepted the resignation of the following members of the Council of Ministers, with immediate effect. ALSO READ MORE
 
             1. D.V. Sadananda Gowda
             2.  Ravi Shankar Prasad
             3. Thaawarchand Gehlot
             4. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
             5. Dr. Harsh Vardhan
             6. Prakash Javadekar
             7. Santosh Kumar Gangwar
             8. Babul Supriyo
             9. Dhotre Sanjay Shamrao
           10. Rattan Lal Kataria
           11. Pratap Chandra Sarangi
           12. Debasree Chaudhuri

Ahead of Cabinet expansion at 6 PM on Wednesday, Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Prakash Javadekar tender their resignation, 

Sushil Modi not included in Modi's new Cabinet

Jalaun MP Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma may get Cabinet berth

1. Shri Narayan Tatu Rane
2. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
3. Dr. Virendra Kumar
4. Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia
5. Shri Ramchandra Prasad Singh
6. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw
7. Shri Pashu Pati Kumar Paras
8. Shri Kiren Rijiju
9. Shri Raj Kumar Singh
10.Shri Hardeep Singh Puri
11.Shri Mansukh Mandaviya
12.Shri Bhupender Yadav
13.Shri Parshottam Rupala
14.Shri G. Kishan Reddy
15.Shri Anurag Singh Thakur
16.Shri Pankaj Choudhary
17.Smt. Anupriya Singh Patel
18.Dr. Satya Pal Singh Baghel
19.Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar
20.Sushri Shobha Karandlaje
21.Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma
22.Smt. Darshana Vikram Jardosh
23.Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi
24.Smt. Annpurna Devi
25.Shri A. Narayanaswamy
26.Shri Kaushal Kishore
27.Shri Ajay Bhatt
28.Shri B. L. Verma
29.Shri Ajay Kumar
30.Shri Chauhan Devusinh
31.Shri Bhagwanth Khuba
32.Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil
33.Sushri Pratima Bhoumik
34.Dr. Subhas Sarkar
35.Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad
36.Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh
37.Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar
38.Shri Bishweswar Tudu
39.Shri Shantanu Thakur
40.Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai
41.Shri John Barla
42.Dr. L. Murugan
43.Shri Nisith Pramanik

Raosaheb Danve resigns from Modi Cabinet

Union Minister Babul Supriyo has resigned from the Cabinet. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Ahead of the Union Cabinet expansion on Wednesday evening, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey has resigned. His resignation came immedately after Health Minister Harsh Vardhan submitted his resignation papers. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday resigned from the Modi cabinet. The development comes ahead of the massive Modi cabinet reshuffle scheduled for 6 pm today. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre resigns from Union Cabinet: Sources.

Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister D V Sadananda Gowda says he has resigned from Union Council of Ministers.

RK Singh, G Kishan Reddy, Anurag Thakur, Mansukh Mandaviya, Parshottam Rupala are likely to be promoted during today's Cabinet rejig exercise.

Ahead of the Union Cabinet expansion on Wednesday evening, ministerial probables met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence. Those meeting Modi included BJP's Narayan Rane, Sarbananda Sonowal, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ajay Bhatt, Bhupender Yadav, Shobha Karandlaje, Sunita Duggal, Meenakshi Lekhi, Bharati Pawar, Shantanu Thakur and Kapil Patil, JD(U)'s R C P Singh, LJP's Pashupati Paras and Apna Dal's Anupriya Patel. Some ministers of state, including G Kishan Reddy, Parshottam Rupala and Anurag Thakur, were also there, and they may be elevated, sources said. 

4 FORMER CHIEF MINISTERS IN CABINET | CABINET TO HAVE 18 FORMER STATE MINISTERS | CABINET TO HAVE 39 FORMER MLAs | 23 MPs WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED FOR 3 OR MORE TERMS

PROFILE OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS: 13 LAWYERS | 6 DOCTORS | 5 ENGINEERS | 7 FORMER CIVIL SERVANTS | 46 MINISTERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT | AVERAGE AGE OF CABINET NOW 58 | 14 MINISTERS WILL BE BELOW 50 | 11 WOMEN IN THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS 2 WITH CABINET RANK

CASTE REPRESENTATION: 5 MINORITY MINISTERS: 1 Muslim; 1 Sikh; 2 Buddhists; 1 Christian | 27 OBC MINISTERS IN COUNCIL OF WHICH 5 OF CABINET RANK | 8 ST MINISTERS IN COUNCIL 3 OF CABINET RANK | 12 SC MINISTERS IN COUNCIL 2 OF CABINET RANK

43 leaders will take oath as Union Ministers in the Union Cabinet expansion, to be held later today, news agency ANI reported. The Union Cabinet can have 81 members.

Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar says he has resigned from Union Cabinet. He has been MP for the city of Bareilly since 1989 till date (except 2009-2014). CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has been dropped the Modi Cabinet. Sources told India TV that he has been relieved from the Education Ministry just ahead of the Cabinet expansion. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Union Minister Debasree Chaudhuri has been relieved just ahead of the Cabinet expansion today evening. She served as the Minister of State for Women and Child Development. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

PM Narendra Modi meets his ministers-to-be over tea at his official residence in Delhi. Home Minister Amit Shah is also be present. As many as 20 new ministers are likely to take oath today at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

JD(U) national president RCP Singh reached Delhi last evening. He is top runner among the probables for a ministerial berth from  the JDU. Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan and Santosh Kushwaha could also take oath today.

Some of the probable ministers are: Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sarbananda Sonowal, Narayan Rane, Pashupati Paras, Anupriya Patel, Pankaj Chowdhury, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Ramshankar Katheria, Varun Gandhi, RCP Singh, Lallan Singh, Rahul Kaswan, CP Joshi, Sakaldeep Rajbhar, Ranjan Singh Rajkumar. The current strength of the Council of Ministers is 53, including Modi, and its maximum number can be 81.

The reshuffles undertaken by Modi so far, all in his first term, have also seen some ministers being dropped or removed from key portfolios on account of their performance. The PM has also sprung surprises in the past by inducting those with apolitical background, like S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, as ministers. A party source said it is likely to be a "big shakeup" and members of the party organisation may be brought in the government. Names of Bhupender Yadav, Anil Baluni, Sudhanshu Trivedi are doing the rounds while BJP MPs Sushil Modi, Ashwini Vaishnav and G V L Narasimha Rao are also being mentioned as probables.

Against the massive review exercise within the central government and the party machinery, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may go for new faces with an eye on grooming younger leaders while also factoring in caste and regional balances. There is also a buzz about Modi inducting some professionals and those with domain expertise besides bringing in more women. 

The meetings of the Union Cabinet and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, scheduled for Wednesday morning, have been cancelled, officials said. Cabinet meetings are usually held on Wednesdays. The meetings were scheduled to take place at 11 am, hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to effect the first reshuffle in his Council of Ministers since he assumed charge for a second term.

Representation of BJP MPs from West Bengal and the Northeast may go up. Another BJP ally All India Jharkhand Students Union may also get a berth. The BJP looks to boost its partners' representation in the ministry after its old allies like Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal severed their ties with it. Ramadas Athavale, a junior minister, is the only BJP ally in the government as of now.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to chair a Cabinet meeting, hours before the expected reshuffle, a PTI report said. The expansion exercise will begin at 6 PM at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

The exercise comes against the backdrop of a massive review, which has stretched for weeks, undertaken by the BJP top brass of the works of Union ministers and the organisation against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. A BJP leader told PTI that the reshuffle is expected to be a "big shake-up" with Modi addressing political challenges, including the assembly polls in five states early next year, and governance issues.

After days of speculations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to expanded his Cabinet. The exercise will begin at 6 pm today. President Kovind will administer the oath of office secrecy to the new ministers. This will be the first cabinet expansion in Modi's government after he came back to power in 2019.

As many as 20 new ministers could take oath when Prime Minister Narendra Modi expands the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. The Union Cabinet can have 81 members. At present, there are 53 ministers. There is a scope for adding 28 new faces. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

In another pointer to the imminent Cabinet reshuffle, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot was appointed as Karnataka Governor, causing yet another ministerial vacancy. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

JD(U) leader RCP Singh and LJP's Pashupati Kumar Paras, both of whom are expected to represent the BJP's allies in the government, also reached Delhi from Bihar. All of them remained tight-lipped to queries about their possibility of joining the government.

BJP leaders Sarbananda Sonowal, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Narayan Rane, all of whom are being seen as probables for induction as ministers in the Modi government, arrived in the national capital on Tuesday.