Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not make any change in the important Home, Defence, Finance, External Affairs, Commerce, and Transport Ministries, but portfolios of several other ministers were changed and pruned to accommodate the new entrants.
Mansukh Mandaviya from Prime Minister’s home State Gujarat on Wednesday replaced Dr Harsh Vardhan as Union Health Minister. He also got Chemicals and Fertilizers Ministry vacated by the exit of Sadanand Gowda.
As expected, Civil Aviation Ministry went to Jyotiraditya Scidia and Railways to former IAS officer Ashwini Vaishanaw, who also got IT and Communications.
In a clear rebuff to the agitating farmers, the PM retained Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
Anurag Thakur, who was elevated to the Cabinet rank, got charge of Information and Broadcasting and Sports & Youth Affairs Ministries, while Dharmendra Pradhan was allotted Education and Skill Development Ministries.
Kiren Rijiju is the new Law and Justice Minister.