The Modi government is likely to undertake a major Union Cabinet reshuffle on June 28 or June 29, 2026, with discussions pointing to several high-profile changes. Following Union Minister of State George Kurian’s resignation, major portfolio reshuffles are being speculated, including Nirmala Sitharaman’s possible move to the Human Resource Development Ministry, the likely exit of Dharmendra Pradhan and Hardeep Singh Puri, and the possible induction of new faces such as Shaktikanta Das, Anurag Thakur, Shrikant Shinde, and Arun Govil. While political circles remain abuzz, the Central Government has not made any official announcement regarding the proposed reshuffle.
The buzz over the proposed Cabinet reshuffle intensified after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu on June 23. The speculation gained further momentum following Home Minister Amit Shah’s reported meeting with the President on Thursday to finalize the date of the reshuffle.
The discussions come at a time when the BJP is preparing its political strategy ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in major states, including Uttar Pradesh. The exercise is also being viewed as an effort to send a political message before the elections.
Why the Buzz Around a Cabinet Reshuffle?
In recent days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held multiple meetings with senior leaders and key office-bearers of the BJP organization. These meetings have further fueled speculation about a Cabinet expansion and reshuffle.
There is also discussion that some states may receive greater representation in the Council of Ministers. At the same time, a few leaders may be shifted from the government to organizational responsibilities within the BJP as part of the party’s restructuring.
George Kurian Resigned on June 23
Union Minister of State George Kurian resigned from the Council of Ministers on June 23, and President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation the same day.
Kurian, a BJP leader from Kerala, completed his Rajya Sabha tenure on June 24, 2026, representing Madhya Pradesh. The BJP had already indicated that he would not be renominated to the Rajya Sabha. Under constitutional provisions, since he was no longer a Member of Parliament, he had to resign from his ministerial post. The party has not issued any official statement regarding his resignation.
George Kurian had taken oath as Union Minister of State on June 9, 2024. On June 11, he was assigned responsibilities in the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
The 65-year-old BJP leader has been associated with the party since its formation in 1980 and has held several organizational responsibilities. He played a key role in expanding the BJP’s presence in Kerala. A native of Kottayam, Kurian was inducted into the Modi 3.0 government in 2024 as part of the BJP’s Christian outreach strategy in Kerala. He later contested the 2026 Kerala Assembly election from the Kanjirappally constituency but was defeated.
Several Inductions and Portfolio Changes Being Discussed
According to ongoing discussions, several major changes are being considered if the reshuffle takes place.
Former RBI Governor and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Shaktikanta Das is being discussed as a possible full Cabinet minister.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is reportedly likely to be shifted to the Human Resource Development portfolio.
Dharmendra Pradhan and Hardeep Singh Puri are being discussed as ministers who could be dropped from the Cabinet.
Shiv Sena may be rewarded for bringing six MPs into the NDA fold, with MP Shrikant Shinde being discussed as a possible Cabinet entrant.
Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur is also being discussed for a return to the Cabinet with a full ministerial berth.
Meerut MP Arun Govil is among the names being discussed for induction into the Council of Ministers ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, despite being considered important for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections, is also being discussed as someone who could be dropped from the Cabinet.
There is also discussion that one Cabinet berth may go to either Raghav Chadha or Ashok Mittal, who are being linked with recent political developments in Punjab.
Ravneet Singh Bittu is reportedly likely to be replaced by Tarun Chugh, while Nitish Kumar is also being discussed as a possible entrant into the Union Cabinet.
Shiv Sena MP Pratap Rao Jadhav may reportedly lose the Health Ministry portfolio while retaining AYUSH. The Health portfolio is being discussed as a possible responsibility for Sanjay Dina Patil.
There is also speculation that Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar could lose the Power Ministry portfolio.
Khajuraho MP Vishnu Datt Sharma and Bihar’s Maharajganj MP Janardhan Singh Sigriwal are also among the names being discussed for possible induction into the Council of Ministers.
Apart from these, discussions indicate that around half a dozen Ministers of State could also be dropped if the reshuffle takes place.
While political discussions over the Cabinet reshuffle continue to gather momentum, the Central Government has not yet made any official announcement regarding the proposed changes. Until an official confirmation is issued, all the reported inductions, portfolio changes and exits remain speculative.
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