New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in today along with 71 ministers of the new coalition government. The new cabinet includes 30 Cabinet Ministers, 5 Ministers of State with Independent Charge, and 36 Ministers of State. The distribution of portfolios will be announced later.
At 73, PM Modi will lead a coalition government for the first time in his third consecutive term, often referred to as “Modi 3.0.” This milestone follows his initial victory in 2014, which marked the end of 10 years of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule under a significant “Brand Modi” win.
Modi is now the second Prime Minister in India’s history, after Jawaharlal Nehru, to be elected for a third consecutive term.
The oath-taking ceremony is being held on the lawns of Rashtrapati Bhavan, with the weather office forecasting a maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius in the national capital.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to PM Narendra Modi. Following him, Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah took their oaths. Nitin Gadkari was the fourth leader to be sworn in by the President. Other notable leaders who took their oaths included JP Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, and Manohar Lal Khattar.
HD Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal (Secular) took his oath immediately after Mr. Khattar, becoming the first leader from any of the BJP’s allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to do so. Following closely, Janata Dal (United) leader Lalan Singh, a key associate of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, was also sworn in.
Sarbananda Sonowal was the first representative from the Northeast to take his oath, with Kiren Rijiju following as the second leader from the region.
Virendra Kumar, an influential figure within the Scheduled Castes community and an eight-time Member of Parliament, was inducted into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. He secured his position by winning the election from the reserved seat of Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh.
As leaders approached the stage to take their oath, enthusiastic supporters erupted in applause and cheers, celebrating as their representatives stepped up to the microphone to be sworn in by the President.
Jyotiraditya Scindia’s inclusion in the Modi 3.0 Council of Ministers has solidified his significance within the BJP, following his departure from the Congress four years ago. This marks his second term in the Union Cabinet.
Hardeep Singh Puri, a former diplomat who played a pivotal role in steering India through consecutive oil crises, was also among the ministers sworn in today.
Chirag Paswan, the leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has cemented his position as the true political successor of his father, Ram Vilas Paswan, following his induction into the Narendra Modi government today. This move marks a significant return for Chirag Paswan in the volatile political scene of Bihar.
Dignitaries from India’s neighboring countries and the Indian Ocean Region attended the event, including Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Photo credit: PMO
