Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Cabinet Ministers of India

Cabinet Ministers in India 2024 - Check Complete List Council of Ministers, UPSC

Last Updated on Feb 26, 2025
Also Read Cabinet Ministers of India in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

The Cabinet Ministers of India hold the helm of the nation's governance, steering policies and decisions that shape the country's trajectory. These eminent individuals, as vital members of the government, oversee various ministries and portfolios, ensuring the smooth functioning of critical sectors. 

This article on the Cabinet Ministers of India aims to give an in-depth overview highlighting key features and roles of the Cabinet Ministers for UPSC candidates. The constitution comes under the polity section of GS Paper 1 for prelims as well as GS Paper 2 for mains. 

This article on Cabinet Ministers of India provides a comprehensive overview of these aspects and includes a current list of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State, along with their portfolios.

About the Cabinet Ministers of India

India’s Cabinet Ministers play a pivotal role in governing the nation. They serve as the highest decision-making body in the executive branch. Understanding their structure, roles, responsibilities, and the process of their appointment and tenure is essential for aspirants preparing for the UPSC exams.

Structure of the Cabinet

The Cabinet in India is a collective decision-making body of the Government of India. It is composed of various types of ministers each with distinct roles and responsibilities.

  • Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the head of the government and the leader of the executive branch. The Prime Minister is responsible for overseeing the functioning of the government and setting the agenda for the Cabinet.
  • Cabinet Ministers: These are senior ministers who head various key ministries such as Defence, Finance, Home Affairs, and External Affairs. These ministers are involved in major policy decisions and are crucial to the functioning of the government.
  • Ministers of State (MoS): These are junior ministers who are either given independent charge of ministries or attached to Cabinet Ministers to assist in the administration of their portfolios. Ministers of State may manage smaller departments within a larger ministry or handle specific tasks.
  • Deputy Ministers: Although less common today, Deputy Ministers support the higher-level ministers in their administrative duties.

Read the article on the Difference between cabinet and council of ministers!

Roles and Responsibilities of the Cabinet Ministers of India

The roles and responsibilities of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State are multifaceted and pivotal to the governance and administration of the country.

Cabinet Ministers

Source: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GoI

  • Policy Formulation: Cabinet Ministers are primarily responsible for proposing and developing national policies. They draft legislative proposals and aid in formulating government strategies.
  • Administrative Functions: They oversee various ministries, ensuring smooth and efficient administration. This includes managing budgets, implementing programs, and responding to administrative challenges.
  • Legislative Duties: Cabinet Ministers play an active role in the legislature by introducing bills, participating in debates, and answering questions related to their ministries in Parliament.
  • Collective Responsibility: Cabinet Ministers are bound by the principle of collective responsibility. This means they must support all governmental decisions made in the Cabinet, even if they personally disagreed during discussions.

Ministers of State

Source: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GoI

Source: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GoI

  • Support Role: Ministers of State assist Cabinet Ministers with their large administrative and legislative load, playing a crucial supporting role.
  • Independent Charge: Some MoS have independent charge of their ministries, making them fully responsible for the administration and functioning of their department without direct oversight from a Cabinet Minister.
  • Specific Assignments: They handle specific projects or segments within a larger ministry, ensuring dedicated focus and detailed attention to particular areas.

Read the article on the Chief Minister!

Appointment and Tenure of the Cabinet Ministers

The process of appointing Cabinet Ministers and their tenure is defined by constitutional provisions and political customs.

  • Selection: The Prime Minister selects individuals to become ministers. These selections are often political, based on the Prime Minister's confidence in their ability to handle specific portfolios effectively.
  • Presidential Appointment: Ministers are formally appointed by the President of India based on the advice of the Prime Minister. This formal approach underscores the constitutional framework within which the executive operates.
  • Tenure: Typically, the tenure of Cabinet Ministers coincides with the duration of the Prime Minister's term. This is five years unless an earlier election is called.
  • Removal: Cabinet Ministers can be removed by the Prime Minister or can resign. The President of India can dismiss them on the Prime Minister's advice. Ministers may also be reshuffled based on the government's needs and political considerations.

Read the article on the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers!

Current Cabinet Ministers of India 2024

Here is an insightful list of Cabinet Ministers of India as of 2024 along with their respective ministries and portfolios:

PRIME MINISTER

Sl. No. Ministers Portfolios
1 Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy; Department of Space

CABINET MINSTERS

Sl. No. Cabinet Ministers Portfolios
1 Rajnath Singh Minister of Defence
2 Amit Shah Minister of Home Affairs; Minister of Cooperation
3 Nitin Gadkari Minister for Road Transport & Highways
4 JP Nadda Minister of Health; and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers
5 Shivraj Singh Chouhan Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Minister of Rural Development
6 Nirmala Sitharaman Minister of Finance; Minister of Corporate Affairs
7 S Jaishankar Ministry of External Affairs
8 Manohar Lal Khattar Housing and Urban Affairs, Power
9 HD Kumaraswamy Minister of Heavy Industries; Minister of Steel
10 Piyush Goyal Minister of Commerce and Industry
11 Dharmendra Pradhan Education Ministry
12 Jitan Ram Manjhi Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
13 Lalan Singh Minister of Panchayati Raj; Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
14 Sarbananda Sonowal Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
15 Virendra Kumar Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment
16 Ram Mohan Naidu Aviation Ministry
17 Pralhad Joshi Minister of Consumer Affairs
18 Jual Oram Minister of Tribal Affairs
19 Giriraj Singh Minister of Textiles
20 Ashiwnin Vaishnaw Minister of Railways, Minister of Information and Broadcasting
21 Jyotiraditya Scindia Minister of Development of North Eastern Region and Telecom
22 Bhupendra Yadav Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
23 Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Minister of Culture; Minister of Tourism
24 Annapurna Devi Minister of Women and Child Development
25 Kiran Rijiju Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; Minister of Minority Affairs
26 Hardeep Singh Puri Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
27 Mansukh Mandaviya Minister of Labour and Employment; Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
28 G Kishan Reddy Minister of Coal, Mines
29 Chirag Paswan Minister of Food Processing Industries
30 CR Patil Minister of Jal Shakti

Ministers of State (Independent Charge)

Sl. No. Name Portfolios
1 Rao Inderjeet Singh Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; Ministry of Planning; Ministry of Culture
2 Dr Jitendra Singh Ministry of Science and Technology; Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
3 Arjun Ram Meghwal Ministry of Law and Justice; Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
4 Jadhav Pratap Rao Ministry of Ayush; Health and Family Welfare
5 Jayant Chaudhary Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; Ministry of Education

Minister of State (MoS)

Sl. No. Name Portfolios
1 Jitin Prasad Commerce and Industry; Electronics and Information Technology
2 Shripad Yesso Naik Power Ministry
3 Pankaj Chaudhary Ministry of Finance
4 Krishan Pal Ministry of Cooperation
5 Ramdas Athawale Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
6 Ramnath Thakur Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
7 Nityanand Rai Ministry of Home Affairs
8 Anupriya Patel Health and Family Welfare; and Chemicals and Fertilizers.
9 V Somanna Ministry of Jal Shakti, Railways Ministry
10 Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Communications
11 SP Singh Baghel Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; Ministry of Panchayati Raj
12 Sobha Karandlaje Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
13 Kirti Vardhan Singh Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Ministry of External Affairs
14 BL Verma Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
15 Shantanu Thakur Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
16 Suresh Gopi Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism
17 L Murugan Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
18 Ajay Tamta Minister for Road Transport & Highways
19 Bandi Sanjay Kumar Ministry of Home Affairs
20 Kamlesh Paswan Ministry of Rural Development
21 Bhagirath Choudhary Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
22 Satish Chandra Dubey Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Mines
23 Sanjay Seth Ministry of Defence
24 Ravneet Singh Bittu Ministry of Food Processing Industries; Ministry of Railways
25 Durga Das Uikey Ministry of Tribal Affairs
26 Raksha Nikhil Khadse Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
27 Sukanta Majumdar Ministry of Education, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
28 Savitri Thakur Ministry of Women and Child Development
29 Tokhan Sahu Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
30 Raj Bhushan Chaudhary Ministry of Jal Shakti
31 Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma Ministry of Heavy Industries, Ministry of Steel
32 Harsh Malhotra Minister for Road Transport & Highways
33 Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
34 Murlidhar Mohol Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Civil Aviation
35 George Kurian Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
36 Pabitra Margherita Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Textiles

Read the article on the Relationship between president and council of ministers!

Conclusion

The Cabinet Ministers of India collectively form the pillars of India's governance structure. With diverse portfolios, responsibilities, and expertise, they contribute to policy-making, administration, and progress. These individuals play a pivotal role in driving India's development, ensuring its global standing, and addressing the diverse needs of its people.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

  • Structure and Composition: The Union Cabinet is a subset of the Council of Ministers, including Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State (with independent charge), and Ministers of State.
  • Appointment and Tenure: Cabinet Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. They serve as long as they have the PM's confidence.
  • Collective Responsibility: The Cabinet operates under the principle of collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha, requiring unified public support for decisions.
  • Key Roles and Functions: Cabinet Ministers head specific ministries, handle policy-making, governmental decisions, and administrative management.
  • Prime Minister's Role: The Prime Minister leads the Cabinet, coordinates its functions, presides over meetings, and acts as the government's chief spokesperson.
  • Cabinet Committees: Various committees focus on areas like security and economic affairs, streamlining decision-making and addressing critical matters.
  • Importance in Parliamentary System: The Cabinet is central to India's parliamentary system, holding significant power for governance and policy-making.
  • Decision-Making Process: Decisions are made through discussions and consensus in Cabinet meetings, ensuring a collaborative approach to governance.

Download the Testbook App to give your UPSC preparation a boost with these effective learning tools.

More Articles for IAS Preparation

List of Cabinet Ministers of India UPSC FAQs

The number of Cabinet Ministers in India can vary based on the decisions made by the Prime Minister and the requirements of the government. As of the latest update, typically there are about 20 to 30 Cabinet Ministers, but this number can change with cabinet reshuffles or new appointments.

Cabinet Ministers are senior members of the executive branch of the Government of India who head various key ministries. They are responsible for major policy decisions and are considered part of the core team responsible for running the executive government.

The Prime Minister of India is the head of the cabinet. The Prime Minister leads the executive branch of the Government of India, sets the agenda for cabinet meetings, and coordinates the work of all the ministers.

Cabinet Ministers are formally appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister. The selection of Cabinet Ministers is primarily the prerogative of the Prime Minister, who chooses individuals based on their expertise, experience, and political considerations.

The youngest Cabinet Minister is Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. He has made history by becoming the youngest ever to hold a ministerial post in the Modi government at the age of 36 in 2014.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice