Modi’s Third Term: Continuity and Change in New Cabinet

Modi’s 3rd term begins with a 72-member Cabinet, blending continuity and change, including 38 new faces and key veterans.

Modi’s Third Term: Continuity and Change in New Cabinet

Narendra Modi has once again made history by being sworn in as Prime Minister of India for a third consecutive term, joining the ranks of Jawaharlal Nehru as the only other leader to achieve this milestone. The grand swearing-in ceremony, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9, 2024, saw Modi and his new Union Council of Ministers take the oath of office, administered by President Droupadi Murmu.

A Diverse Council of Ministers

The new Union Council of Ministers consists of 72 members, including 30 Cabinet Ministers, 5 Ministers of State with independent charge, and 37 Ministers of State. Notably, 38 new faces have been introduced into the Council, indicating a blend of continuity and change.

Veteran leaders like Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, and Piyush Goyal retained their positions as Cabinet Ministers. Additionally, the Cabinet saw the return of Dharmendra Pradhan, Pralhad Joshi, Sarbananda Sonowal, Virendra Kumar, Giriraj Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Kiren Rijiju, Hardeep Singh Puri, Mansukh Mandaviya, Bhupender Yadav, and G Kishan Reddy.

New Entrants and Prominent Positions

The Cabinet also welcomed several new members, including JP Nadda, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and HD Kumaraswamy, marking their significant entry into the central government. Other prominent new faces in the Cabinet include Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Chirag Paswan. These additions reflect Modi’s strategic focus on regional representation and political alliances.

Ministers of State With Independent Charge

The Ministers of State with independent charge include seasoned politicians and newcomers:

1. Rao Inderjit Singh
2. Jitendra Singh
3. Arjun Ram Meghwal
4. Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav
5. Jayant Chaudhary

Ministers of State

The 37 Ministers of State bring a mix of experience and fresh perspectives:

1. Jitin Prasada
2. Shripad Naik
3. Pankaj Chaudhary
4. Krishan Pal Gurjar
5. Ramdas Athawale
6. Ram Nath Thakur
7. Nityanand Rai
8. Anupriya Patel
9. V Somanna
10. Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
11. SP Singh Baghel
12. Shobha Karandlaje
13. Kirti Vardhan Singh
14. BL Verma
15. Shantanu Thakur
16. Suresh Gopi
17. L Murugan
18. Ajay Tamta
19. Bandi Sanjay Kumar
20. Kamlesh Paswan
21. Bhagirath Chaudhary
22. Satish Chandra Dubey
23. Sanjay Seth
24. Ravneet Singh Bittu
25. Durga Das Uikey
26. Raksha Khadse
27. Sukanta Majumdar
28. Savitri Thakur
29. Tokhan Sahu
30. Rajbhushan Chaudhary
31. Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma
32. Harsh Malhotra
33. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya
34. Murlidhar Mohol
35. George Kurian
36. Pabitra Margherita

Political Implications

Modi’s third term is set against the backdrop of BJP’s robust performance in the recent elections, securing 240 seats, with support from allies bringing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to a total of 293 seats. The inclusion of diverse leaders from various states underscores Modi’s intent to ensure broad-based governance and address regional aspirations.

Challenges Ahead

The new government faces numerous challenges, including economic recovery post-pandemic, addressing unemployment, and managing international relations. The blend of experienced leaders and new entrants is expected to provide a balanced approach to these issues, driving India’s growth and stability.

Conclusion

Modi’s third term and the composition of his new cabinet highlight a strategic mix of continuity and change, aiming to consolidate the government’s achievements while addressing emerging challenges with fresh perspectives. As the new ministers take their oaths, the nation watches closely, anticipating the policy directions and governance style that will shape the next phase of India’s development.

Cabinet Ministers who took oath along with PM:

1. Rajnath Singh
2. Amit Shah
3. Nitin Gadkari
4. JP Nadda
5. Shivraj Singh Chouhan
6. Nirmala Sitharaman
7. S Jaishankar
8. Manohar Lal Khattar
9. HD Kumaraswamy
10. Piyush Goyal
11. Dharmendra Pradhan
12. Jitan Ram Manjhi
13. Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh
14. Sarbananda Sonowal
15. Dr Virendra Kumar
16. Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu
17. Pralhad Joshi
18. Jual Oram
19. Giriraj Singh
20. Ashwini Vaishnaw
21. Jyotiraditya Scindia
22. Bhupender Yadav
23. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
24. Annapurna Devi
25. Kiren Rijiju
26. Hardeep Singh Puri
27. Mansukh Mandaviya
28. G Kishan Reddy
29. Chirag Paswan
30. CR Patil

Ministers of State With Independent Charge:

1. Rao Inderjit Singh
2. Jitendra Singh
3. Arjun Ram Meghwal
4. Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav
5. Jayant Chaudhary

Ministers of State:

1. Jitin Prasada
2. Shripad Naik
3. Pankaj Chaudhary
4. Krishan Pal Gurjar
5. Ramdas Athawale
6. Ram Nath Thakur
7. Nityanand Rai
8. Anupriya Patel
9. V Somanna
10. Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
11. SP Singh Baghel
12. Shobha Karandlaje
13. Kirti Vardhan Singh
14. BL Verma
15. Shantanu Thakur
16. Suresh Gopi
17. L Murugan
18. Ajay Tamta
19. Bandi Sanjay Kumar
20. Kamlesh Paswan
21. Bhagirath Chaudhary
22. Satish Chandra Dubey
23. Sanjay Seth
24. Ravneet Singh Bittu
25. Durga Das Uikey
26. Raksha Khadse
27. Sukanta Majumdar
28. Savitri Thakur
29. Tokhan Sahu
30. Rajbhushan Chaudhary
31. Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma
32. Harsh Malhotra
33. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya
34. Murlidhar Mohol
35. George Kurian
36. Pabitra Margherita