The List of Cabinet Ministers in India is one of the most important topics in Indian Polity and Current Affairs.
Every year, questions related to Union Ministers, their portfolios, constitutional provisions, cabinet reshuffles, and major government decisions appear in Kerala PSC, UPSC, SSC CGL, Banking, Railways, and other State PSC examinations.
This blogpost provides the list of Union Cabinet Ministers of India (2026), their portfolios, constitutional provisions, appointment process, powers, responsibilities, Cabinet Committees, and highlights important current affairs to help aspirants prepare effectively.
Table of Contents
Before we begin, we need to know what is the Union council of Ministers and their roles and responsibilities. So,
What is the Union Council of Ministers?
The Union Council of Ministers is the executive body that assists and advises the President of India. It is headed by the Prime Minister and is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
Although the President is the constitutional head of the Union Government, executive powers are exercised on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
In other words, the Council of Ministers functions as the real executive of India, while the President is the constitutional (nominal) executive.
Types of Ministers in India
- Cabinet Ministers: Senior-most ministers who head important ministries, attend Cabinet meetings and participate in major policy making decisions.
- Ministers of State: assists Cabinet Ministers in their respective ministries.
- Ministers of State (Independent Charge): They head ministries independently and doesn't report to a Cabinet Minister.
Constitutional Provisions
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 74 | Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President |
| Article 75 | Appointment, tenure, salaries, and collective responsibility |
| Article 77 | Conduct of Government business |
| Article 78 | Duties of the Prime Minister towards the President |
| Article 88 | Ministers can participate in Parliamentary proceedings |
Cabinet Ministers
Appointment
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President. Under the Article 75(1) of the constitution, on the advice of the Prime Minister, it is the President who appoints the other ministers.
A person who is not a Member of Parliament may also be appointed as a minister.
However, there is a provision for automatic disqualification under Article 75(5) if he / she couldn't become a member of either House of Parliament within six consecutive months.
Oath & Salary
All ministers take the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy before entering office.
Both are prescribed under the Third Schedule of the Constitution and administered by the President.
The salaries and allowances of Union Ministers are determined by Parliament through legislation under the Article 75(6) of the Indian Constitution.
Resignation and Removal
Difference between Cabinet Minister & Council of Ministers
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers |
|---|---|
| Smaller body (15-30 ministers) | Larger body (60-70 ministers) |
| Senior ministers only | Includes all ministers |
| Takes major policy decisions | Assists in administration |
| Meets frequently | Meets less often |
| Real executive authority | Broader constitutional body |
| Added later via the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act (1978) in Article 352 | Part of the original 1950 Constitution (Articles 74 & 75) |
The word Cabinet originally did not appear in the Constitution.
Powers and Responsibilities of Cabinet Ministers
Major Cabinet Ministers & Their Portfolios (2026)
| Cabinet Minister | Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Rajnath Singh | Defence |
| Amit Shah | Home Affairs & Cooperation |
| Nitin Gadkari | Road Transport & Highways |
| J. P. Nadda | Health & Family Welfare |
| Shivraj Singh Chouhan | Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare; Rural Development |
| Nirmala Sitharaman | Finance; Corporate Affairs |
| S. Jaishankar | External Affairs |
| Manohar Lal | Power; Housing & Urban Affairs |
| H. D. Kumaraswamy | Heavy Industries; Steel |
| Piyush Goyal | Commerce & Industry |
| Dharmendra Pradhan* | Education (position changed after recent developments) |
| Ashwini Vaishnaw | Railways; Information & Broadcasting; Electronics & Information Technology |
| Sarbananda Sonowal | Ports, Shipping & Waterways |
| Gajendra Singh Shekhawat | Culture; Tourism |
| Bhupender Yadav | Environment, Forest & Climate Change |
| Pralhad Joshi | Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution; New & Renewable Energy |
| Kiren Rijiju | Parliamentary Affairs; Minority Affairs |
| C. R. Patil | Jal Shakti |
| Virendra Kumar | Social Justice & Empowerment |
| Jual Oram | Tribal Affairs |
| Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) | Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying; Panchayati Raj |
| Chirag Paswan | Food Processing Industries |
| Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu | Civil Aviation |
| G. Kishan Reddy | Coal & Mines |
| Hardeep Singh Puri | Petroleum & Natural Gas |
| Mansukh Mandaviya | Labour & Employment; Youth Affairs & Sports |
Cabinet Committees
Major committees include:
- Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
- Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
- Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
- Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)
Current Affairs (July 2026)
The Union Council of Ministers directory was updated by the Government of India in July 2026.
On July 25, 2026, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister amid the controversy surrounding the NEET examination paper leak and subsequent protests by the Internet meme party, the Cockroach Janatha Party.
Following the resignation, Pralhad Joshi was given the additional charge of the Ministry of Education, alongside his existing responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The President appoints Cabinet Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Article 74 of the Indian Constitution.
Article 75.
The Council of Ministers.
Yes. However, they must become a Member of Parliament within six months of appointment.
The Cabinet is the smaller, more powerful group of senior ministers that takes key policy decisions. The Council of Ministers includes the Cabinet, Ministers of State (Independent Charge), and Ministers of State.
Conclusion
By memorising the names and portfolios of Cabinet Ministers, aspirants should stay updated on cabinet reshuffles, new appointments, constitutional provisions, and major policy decisions.
Regular revision of current affairs related to the Union Government can significantly improve performance in both Prelims and Mains.
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