A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 71 ministers of the new coalition government took the oath of office, the portfolios for the NDA 3.0 cabinet have been unveiled. In a significant move, key figures such as Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, and Nirmala Sitharaman have retained their prominent positions, underscoring continuity in Modi’s administration.
Major Portfolio Assignments
Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to lead the nation with a focus on stability and growth.
Rajnath Singh retains the Ministry of Defence, ensuring consistency in India’s defense strategies.
Amit Shah continues as the Home Minister, maintaining his pivotal role in internal security and governance.
Nitin Gadkari keeps the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, known for his impactful infrastructure projects.
Nirmala Sitharaman retains the Ministry of Finance, staying at the helm of India’s economic policies.
New and Notable Assignments
JP Nadda takes over the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a critical portfolio especially post-pandemic.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan is assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, along with Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, reflecting his vast administrative experience.
Manohar Lal Khattar gets the Power and Urban Affairs Ministry, a key sector for urban development and energy policies.
Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu is entrusted with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, highlighting the importance of aviation in India’s connectivity and economic growth.
Jitan Ram Manjhi is assigned the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, a crucial sector for employment and economic development.
Ministers of State with Independent Charge
Rao Inderjit Singh, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Prataprao Jadhav, and Jayant Chaudhary have been designated as Ministers of State with Independent Charge, overseeing various critical sectors and providing specialized focus.
Ministers of State
A significant number of Ministers of State have been appointed, reflecting the NDA’s commitment to a broad-based and inclusive administration. Some key appointments include:
Shripad Naik as MoS Power and Urban Affairs Ministry.
Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra as MoS Road Transport and Highways.
Ravneet Singh Bittu as MoS Minority Affairs.
Shobha Karandlaje as MoS Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
Political Context
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unprecedented third term comes after the NDA secured 293 of the 543 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP, falling short of the majority mark on its own with 240 seats, formed a coalition to maintain governance stability. The magic number in the Lok Sabha is 272 seats, making coalition support crucial for the NDA’s continuity.
This cabinet reflects a blend of experienced leaders and new faces, aiming to address India’s diverse challenges and steer the nation towards sustained growth and development. The appointments signify a strategic approach to governance, balancing continuity with change to meet contemporary demands and expectations.
