LIVE: Amit Shah made Home Minister; Modi govt cabinet portfolios announced

PM Narendra Modi has declared the portfolio of cabinet ministers to be part of the new government. Catch live updates here

11:28 AM

Piyush Goyal credited with ushering in new ideas irrespective of portfolio

If there’s one thing Piyush Goyal loves to make and break, it’s records — from the highest mobile apps launched in his earlier ministry of coal and power to being the only minister to be elevated to the finance portfolio twice. Read more here 

11:18 AM

PM Modi meets Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena at Hyderabad House

11:17 AM

Prahlad Patel makes a comeback to Union Cabinet after 15 years

Prahlad Patel, known as a down-to-earth leader of the BJP, returned to the Union Cabinet after a gap of 15 years on Thursday when he took oath as a minister in the Narendra Modi government.

 

He was rewarded for bringing BJP to power in Manipur where he was the party incharge. The BJP formed its government for the first time in Manipur in 2017. Read more here

11:09 AM

In pic: Cabinet ministers during the swearing-in ceremony at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi

Photo: PTI

10:47 AM

Modi 2.0 Cabinet: Nirmala Sitharaman, the trusted lieutenant of the PM

One of the ministers whom Modi seems to trust, Sitharaman is the second woman to hold the Defence portfolio after Indira Gandhi. Though Sitharaman did not make inroads in overhauling defence procurement, she was at the helm of affairs when the Balakot strikes were carried out by the Indian Air Force, and also defended the government in Lok Sabha against allegations of corruption by the Opposition in the Rafale aircraft deal signed between India and France. 

Sitharaman's firefighting, in public and Parliament, assumes significance since the Opposition has been using alleged corruption in the Rafale deal as a poll plank. Sitharaman was also a member of the committee tasked with preparing the BJP's manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.

 

Considered a rational, discreet politician, Sitharaman is also being touted for the ministry of external affairs in some circles. Read more here

10:40 AM

Unhappy with portfolio, BJP ally JD(U) decides against joining Modi govt

BJP ally JD(U) will not join the new Narendra Modi government, its spokesperson Pavan Varma said on Thursday, in what appears to be a sign of differences with the saffron party over the number of ministerial berths offered to it.

 

"We are not joining the government. This is our decision," Varma, who is also the general secretary of the Janata Dal (United), told PTI.

 

The BJP was offering one cabinet berth to the JD(U) and sources said the regional party was also unhappy with the portfolio offered to it.

 

Read more here

10:35 AM

Here's how the new council of ministers looks like

10:22 AM

Amit Shah likely to be FM; investors say he will 'get things done'

PM Narendra Modi is set to name BJP's President Amit Shah as the new finance minister after taking his oath of office for the second time on Thursday, according to several Indian media reports.

 

As Modi's right-hand man and long-time strategist, Shah would be in a powerful position to direct financial policy in Asia's third-largest economy in his first role as a federal lawmaker. Read more here

9:39 AM

Stay tuned: The first meeting of the new cabinet will take place later today in Delhi (Sources)

9:28 AM

Soon after swearing-in ceremony, Modi holds talks with Kyrgyz President

8:38 AM

Modi takes to Twitter to congratulate all new ministers who took oath on Thursday

8:33 AM

PM Narendra Modi shares pictures from the swearing-in ceremony

8:29 AM

Good morning, readers. As portfolios of cabinet ministers will be declared today, we bring you live updates on it.