Over 50 ministers joined PM Modi in the swearing-in held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first Union cabinet meeting of his second term on Friday. The first file signed by PM Modi on assuming charge in his second term as PM was to enhance the amount of scholarships under the National Defence Fund and to include State Police Personnel in its ambit. Earlier in the day, the portfolios of the council of ministers in the second term was declared. Amit Shah, who has been widely credited for the spectacular victory of the BJP in the national elections, will be the Home Minister in the new government. Mr Shah succeeds Rajnath Singh, who has been given charge of Defence ministry.

Nirmala Sitharaman will succeed Arun Jaitley as the Finance Minister in the new government. Smriti Irani, who was hailed as the giant killer after she defeated Congress President Rahul Gandhi in his family bastion of Amethi, has been given charge of Women and Child Development ministry.

Career diplomat S Jaishankar, a surprise pick in Narendra Modi's council of ministers, has been made the Foreign Minister.

PM Modi took oath for a second term in the presence of 8,000 guests including world leaders, dignitaries, politicians, celebrities and industrialists on Thursday, exactly a week after he led the BJP to a spectacular victory in the national election. Over 50 ministers joined him in the swearing-in held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Here are the Highlights of PM Narendra Modi Cabinet Portfolios:

May 31, 2019 20:16 (IST) People first, people always, says PM Modi

"Glad that path-breaking decisions were taken in the Cabinet, the first in this tenure. Hardworking farmers and industrious traders will benefit greatly due to these decisions," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets. People first, people always.



Glad that path-breaking decisions were taken in the Cabinet, the first in this tenure. Hardworking farmers and industrious traders will benefit greatly due to these decisions.



The decisions will enhance dignity and empowerment of several Indians. pic.twitter.com/U9JTXeyoVm - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 20:12 (IST) Parliament Session to begin from June 17

The speaker will be elected on June 19. Economic Survey to be held on July 4.

President Ram Nath Kovind will address the joint session of parliament on June 20.

May 31, 2019 20:10 (IST) Union Cabinet has cleared pension scheme for traders. Three crore retail traders and shopkeepers will benefit from this decision, says Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.

He also said that the Cabinet has cleared a special scheme for Control of Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis. The diseases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis are very common among the livestock - cow-bulls, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs.

May 31, 2019 20:05 (IST) Union Budget on July 5

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar says Union Budget will be presented on July 5. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar says Union Budget will be presented on July 5.

May 31, 2019 20:05 (IST) Direct Income Support Scheme Extended To All Farmers

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar days: "The Cabinet has approved the extension of Pradhan Mantri-Kisan yojana to all farmers. Nearly 14.5 crore farmers will benefit from the scheme."

It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for small and marginal farmers across the country. The Central government will contribute to the pension fund in equal amount as contributed by the farmer.

May 31, 2019 19:59 (IST) First meeting of Union Cabinet ends.

May 31, 2019 19:07 (IST) Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Giriraj Singh after Cabinet meeting. #UnionCabinetpic.twitter.com/KgVydlK8UQ - ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 18:41 (IST)

May 31, 2019 18:31 (IST) PM Modi chairs first Union Cabinet meeting of his second term

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs the first #UnionCabinet meeting of his second term. pic.twitter.com/nhKFEIDnfj - ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 18:04 (IST) PM Pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, at the Prime Minister's Office in South Block.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, at the Prime Minister's Office in South Block.

May 31, 2019 17:37 (IST) Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' - Minister of Human Resource Development

Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' takes charge as Minister of Human Resource Development. #UnionCabinetpic.twitter.com/9KF9JX6E8c - ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 17:34 (IST) Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Giriraj Singh arrive for the #UnionCabinet meeting. pic.twitter.com/5VWFEIhYbh - ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 17:31 (IST) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh arrive for the #UnionCabinet meeting. pic.twitter.com/KSnfkLPaV7 - ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 17:29 (IST) PM Modi Arrives For Cabinet Meet





May 31, 2019 17:29 (IST) PM Modi Arrives For Cabinet Meet



May 31, 2019 17:20 (IST) Kiren Rijiju takes charge as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. #UnionCabinetpic.twitter.com/8cC5d3xTrM - ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 17:02 (IST) Ramvilas Paswan - Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Delhi: Ram Vilas Paswan takes charge as the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. #UnionCabinetpic.twitter.com/zy3frq5O29 - ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 16:42 (IST) Prakash Javadekar -- Minister of Information and Broadcasting



May 31, 2019 16:31 (IST) Delhi: Dr. Jitendra Singh takes charge as the Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office. #UnionCabinetpic.twitter.com/5FDIQ0YaPe - ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 16:24 (IST) Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi takes charge as the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, in New Delhi. #UnionCabinetpic.twitter.com/rVXmBe4xN7 - ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 16:23 (IST) Delhi: Piyush Goyal takes charge as Minister of Railways and Minister of Commerce and Industry. #UnionCabinetpic.twitter.com/VW90fJFY4m - ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 14:59 (IST) Nirmala Sitharaman takes charge as Finance minister. Soon after taking charge, Ms Sitharaman held meeting with key economic secretaries.

May 31, 2019 14:42 (IST) Nirmala Sitharaman will be India's first full-time woman Finance Minister





Nirmala Sitharaman will swap the Defence Ministry for Finance and Corporate Affairs, which makes her one of the leading firefighters of the government amid economic challenges. In a few hours, GDP numbers will give an indication of just how tough a job India's first woman finance minister has at hand.

May 31, 2019 14:40 (IST)

May 31, 2019 14:06 (IST)

Career diplomat S Jaishankar, a surprise pick in Narendra Modi's council of ministers, has been made the Foreign Minister.

May 31, 2019 13:53 (IST) Cabinet Portfolios: Who Gets What, Cabinet Portfolios Announced. Full List Here



Prime Minister Narendra Modi has picked his closest aide Amit Shah as Home Minister in the new government. Rajnath Singh will be Defence Minister and Nitin Gadkari will be Minister of Road Transport and Highways. Nirmala Sitharaman will be Finance Minister and Minister of Corporate Affairs" Prime Minister Narendra Modi has picked his closest aide Amit Shah as Home Minister in the new government. Rajnath Singh will be Defence Minister and Nitin Gadkari will be Minister of Road Transport and Highways. Nirmala Sitharaman will be Finance Minister and Minister of Corporate Affairs"

May 31, 2019 13:39 (IST)

Rajnath Singh to take charge as Defence Minister tomorrow at 9.30 AM

May 31, 2019 13:05 (IST) Amit Shah is Home Minister, S Jaishankar is Foreign Minister



The portfolios of the council of ministers in the second term of Modi government is out. Amit Shah, who has been widely credited for the spectacular victory of the BJP, will be the Home Minister in the new government. Rajnath Singh has been given charge of Defence



Here's the list of the portfolios in PM Modi's cabinet:

Shri Narendra Modi - Prime Minister and also in-charge of: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy; Department of Space; and all important policy issues; and all other portfolios not allocated to any Minister.

Cabinet Ministers

Shri Raj Nath Singh - Minister of Defence.

Shri Amit Shah - Minister of Home Affairs.

Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari - Minister of Road Transport and Highways; and Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda - Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman - Minister of Finance; and Minister of Corporate Affairs.

Shri Ramvilas Paswan - Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar - Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Minister of Rural Development; and Minister of Panchayati Raj.

Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad - Minister of Law and Justice; Minister of Communications; and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.

Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal - Minister of Food Processing Industries.

Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot - Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar - Minister of External Affairs

Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' - Minister of Human Resource Development

Shri Arjun Munda - Minister of Tribal Affairs

Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani - Minister of Women and Child Development; and Minister of Textiles.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan - Minister of Health and Family Welfare; Minister of Science and Technology; and Minister of Earth Sciences.

Shri Prakash Javadekar - Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

Shri Piyush Goyal - Minister of Railways; and Minister of Commerce and Industry.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan - Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Minister of Steel.

Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi - Minister of Minority Affairs

Shri Pralhad Joshi - Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; Minister of Coal; and Minister of Mines.

Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey - Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

May 31, 2019 12:32 (IST) BJP president Amit Shah is expected to take on a big ministry like finance. Others expected to be given big roles are Rajnath Singh, the second minister to take oath after PM Modi, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal and Smriti Irani.

May 31, 2019 11:35 (IST) Here is a list of minister's in PM Modi's cabinet:



Cabinet Ministers

1. Shri Narendra Modi

2. Shri Raj Nath Singh

3. Shri Amit Shah (first time)

4. Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari

5. Shri D. V. Sadananda Gowda

6. Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman

7. Shri Ramvilas Paswan

8. Shri Narendra Singh Tomar

9. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad

10. Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal

11. Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot

12. Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

13. Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' (first time)

14. Shri Arjun Munda

15. Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani

16. Dr. Harsh Vardhan

17. Shri Prakash Javadekar

18. Shri Piyush Goyal

19. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan

20. Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

21. Shri Pralhad Joshi (first time)

22. Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey

23. Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant

24. Shri Giriraj Singh

25. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Ministers of State (Independent Charge)

1. Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar

2. Rao Inderjit Singh

3. Shri Shripad Yesso Naik

4. Dr. Jitendra Singh

5. Shri Kiren Rijiju

6. Shri Prahalad Singh Patel

7. Shri Raj Kumar Singh

8. Shri Hardeep Singh Puri

9. Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya

Ministers of State

1. Shri Faggansingh Kulaste

2. Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey

3. Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal

4. General (Retd.) V. K. Singh

5. Shri Krishan Pal

6. Shri Danve Raosaheb Dadarao

7. Shri G. Kishan Reddy

8. Shri Parshottam Rupala

9. Shri Ramdas Athawale

10. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti

11. Shri Babul Supriyo

12. Shri Sanjeev Kumar Balyan

13. Shri Dhotre Sanjay Shamrao

14. Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

15. Shri Angadi Suresh Channabasappa (first time)

16. Shri Nityanand Rai

17. Shri. Rattan Lal Kataria (first time)

18. Shri V. Muraleedharan

19. Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta

20. Shri Som Parkash

21. Shri Rameswar Teli (first time)

22. Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi

23. Shri Kailash Choudhary (first time)

24. Deboshree Choudhury (first time)

May 31, 2019 11:30 (IST) Every single moment spent with PM Modi was testimony to his vision: Rajyavardhan Rathore





Rajyavardhan Rathore won a second term in the national election that saw the NDA winning 353 of the 542 Lok Sabha seats. Mr Rathore, however, was not included in the new team of ministers who were sworn in along with PM Modi on Thursday.

But there is every possibility that the silver-medal winning Olympian and retired army colonel may play a role in the Rajasthan unit of the BJP.

This morning, Mr Rathore shared his experience as a minister in the first term of the Modi government. "It was a great privilege and honour to serve as a member of PM Narendra Modi Ji's council of ministers. Every single moment spent with him was a testimony to his vision, energy and commitment to our great nation, he said. Serving in @MIB_India allowed me to sit with great thinkers, hard working journalists and creative minds. They helped me become a better leader with their insights. I can't thank enough the team at I&B Ministry who helped us deliver our best. - Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) May 31, 2019

May 31, 2019 10:59 (IST) Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress President Rahul Gandhi in his bastion of Amethi, is likely to get a big ministry. I extend best wishes to my colleagues in the Union Council of Ministers and look forward to working together in our endeavour to build a #NewIndia as envisioned by PM @narendramodi ji. - Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) May 30, 2019 Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress President Rahul Gandhi in his bastion of Amethi, is likely to get a big ministry.

May 31, 2019 10:23 (IST) The first meeting of the brand new cabinet will be held at 5 pm on Friday. It will coincide with the GDP figures for the quarter and full year, which is expected to guide the new government's economic priorities.

May 31, 2019 09:03 (IST) PM Narendra Modi Oath: Minutes Before Ceremony PM Changes Twitter, Facebook Display Pictures



As Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a fresh term in office after a grand oath ceremony in Delhi, his official social media accounts also saw a change. His Twitter and Facebook handles were updated with new pictures, minutes before the ceremony." As Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a fresh term in office after a grand oath ceremony in Delhi, his official social media accounts also saw a change. His Twitter and Facebook handles were updated with new pictures, minutes before the ceremony."

May 31, 2019 08:59 (IST)

BJP President Amit Shah, who is credited with leading the BJP to magnificent victories in election after election, is the most prominent newcomer in PM Modi's second government. The 54-year-old is likely to handle one of the top four ministries in the cabinet. Amit Shah has been PM Modi's confidant for over two decades. Smriti Irani, who defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his family constituency of Amethi, was among the minister who took oath yesterday. She is expected to be rewarded with a big ministry.