India’s economic growth and development rely heavily on efficient transportation, logistics, and infrastructure. The following ministers will play pivotal roles in shaping policies, improving connectivity, and ensuring the smooth movement of goods and services across the country.
The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed the allocation of portfolios among the following members of the Union Council of Ministers:
Here are brief profiles of some newly appointed ministers who will contribute to India’s economic progress by focusing on transportation, logistics, and infrastructure:
1. Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman is a prominent Indian politician and senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Portfolio:
Minister of Finance
- Nirmala Sitharaman retains the position of Minister of Finance. She is responsible for India’s economic policies, budgetary matters, and financial reforms.
- Overseeing fiscal management, taxation, and financial stability.
Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs
- Handling corporate governance, company law, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensuring transparency and accountability in corporate practices.
Previous Roles:
- Minister of Defence (2017–2019): She became the second woman to hold this position in India after Indira Gandhi.
- Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce and Industry (2014–2017): Responsible for trade negotiations and improving the ease of doing business in India.
- Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs (2014–2017): played a crucial role in financial policy-making and corporate governance.
- National Spokesperson for the BJP: Gained recognition for her articulate defense of party policies and ideologies.
Background:
- Before entering politics, Sitharaman worked in various capacities, including as an assistant to an economist in the UK and later in the corporate sector in India.
- She also served as a member of the National Commission for Women.
Sitharaman’s leadership contributes significantly to India’s economic growth and governance. She is globally recognized as one of the most powerful women.
2. Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu
New Portfolio:
Minister of Civil Aviation
- As the 34th Minister for Civil Aviation, Naidu will oversee India’s civil aviation sector. His role includes managing airports, airlines and formulating policies to enhance air travel and connectivity.
Previous Roles:
- Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha): Naidu represents the Srikakulam constituency in Andhra Pradesh. His legislative experience contributes to his understanding of governance and policymaking.
- TDP National General Secretary: Holding a key position within the Telugu Desam Party, Naidu actively participates in party affairs and contributes to its growth.
Background:
- Education: Naidu pursued higher education in the United States, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Long Island University.
- Advocacy: Naidu has championed causes such as menstrual health education and the removal of GST on sanitary pads, demonstrating his commitment to social issues.
In summary, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu brings a blend of experience, education, and dedication to his ministerial role in the Indian government.
3. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
New Portfolio (2024):
Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications
- Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani will serve as the Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications in the Government of India.
- His responsibilities include overseeing rural development initiatives and communication infrastructure.
Previous roles and background:
- Medical Career: Born in Burripalem, Guntur District, Pemmasani pursued an MBBS degree from Osmania University and completed his residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania.
- Attending Physician: He worked at Johns Hopkins University-Sinai Hospital for five years, teaching residents and medical students.
- Entrepreneurship: Pemmasani founded UWorld, an online learning platform that provides study materials and test series for college entrance exams.
- Social Contributions: In India, he facilitated free potable water supply to Palnadu region residents in Andhra Pradesh and supported educational initiatives.
- Wealthiest MP: Pemmasani declared assets worth ₹5705 crore, making him the richest Lok Sabha MP in 20241.
In summary, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani brings a unique blend of medical expertise, entrepreneurship, and social commitment to his ministerial role.
4. Sarbananda Sonowal
Portfolio:
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways: He retains his position as the in-charge of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. In this role, he aims to empower the maritime sector and contribute to the holistic development of India’s ports and waterways.
- Ministry of Ayush: Additionally, he is also in charge of the Ministry of Ayush.
Previous Role:
- Assam Chief Minister: Prior to his current ministerial roles, Sarbananda Sonowal served as the Chief Minister of Assam from 2016 to 2021.
- Member of the Rajya Sabha: He has been a member of the Rajya Sabha, representing Assam, since 2021.
Background:
- Sonowal hails from Assam and has been actively involved in politics. His leadership has contributed to the development of the Northeast region, particularly in terms of logistics and connectivity using inland waterways.
5. Nitin Jairam Gadkari
Portfolio:
- Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH): Nitin Gadkari retains the position as the Minister of Road Transport and Highways in the new cabinet. Remarkably, this marks his third consecutive term in this ministry, making him the longest-serving cabinet minister under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Minister of State (MoS): To assist Gadkari, Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra have been designated as Ministers of State (MoS) in the Road Transport and Highways Ministry.
Previous Role:
- Infrastructure Transformation: Gadkari has been instrumental in modernizing India’s infrastructure. He is often nicknamed the “Highway Man of India” due to his significant contributions to the road network. Under his leadership, the national highway (NH) network has expanded by 60 percent, from 91,287 km in 2014 to 146,000 km as of December 2023. The length of highways with four lanes or more has also increased 2.5 times during the last decade.
- Bharatmala Pariyojana: Gadkari has led 22 world-class access-controlled greenfield expressway projects as part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana. This initiative aims to optimize the efficiency of goods and people movement across the country through economic corridors, inter-corridor routes, and expressways.
- Car Safety Ratings: His ministry introduced the country’s first car crash safety ratings under the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme.
- Toll Collection System Improvements: Gadkari’s team is working on enhancing toll collection systems to minimize inconvenience for highway users.
Background:
- Nitin Gadkari is a seasoned politician and has been actively involved in Indian politics. His focus on infrastructure development and innovative solutions has significantly impacted the transportation sector in India.
His dedication to public service and transformative impact on India’s infrastructure make him a key figure in the government.
6. Jagat Prakash Nadda
New Portfolio:
Minister of Health and Family Welfare:
- Nadda returns to this ministry after previously serving as the Union Health Minister in Modi’s first cabinet from November 2014 to May 2019.
- He now helms the Union Health Ministry, responsible for health policies, medical infrastructure, and public health initiatives in India.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers:
- In addition to health, Nadda has been allocated the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
- This ministry oversees the production and distribution of fertilizers, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals in the country.
Previous Role:
- Union Health Minister (2014–2019): Nadda previously served as the Union Health Minister from November 2014 to May 2019. His tenure witnessed significant developments in healthcare infrastructure, disease control, and public health initiatives.
Background:
- J. P. Nadda, born on December 2, 1960, is an Indian lawyer and politician.
- He started his political journey with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students’ wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
- Nadda held various key positions in the BJP, including heading election campaigns in several states.
- He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2012 and became a member of the BJP’s parliamentary board in 2014.
- After the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Nadda was made the BJP’s working president and later elevated to the position of BJP president in January 2020.
7. Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and four-time former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, has been appointed to two key portfolios:
New Portfolio:
Minister of Agriculture:
Minister of Rural and Panchayat Development:
Background:
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan was born on March 5, 1959, and has a political career spanning over three decades.
- He served as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for four terms (2005–2018).
- Chouhan played a crucial role in the state’s development, focusing on agriculture, infrastructure, and welfare programs.
Chouhan’s dual roles reflect his experience and commitment to rural development and agriculture in India’s governance.
8. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
New Portfolio: Minister of External Affairs
- Dr. S. Jaishankar continues to serve as the Minister of External Affairs in the new cabinet.
- As the External Affairs Minister, his responsibilities include managing India’s foreign relations, representing the country on the global stage, and overseeing diplomatic efforts.
Previous Role: Minister of External Affairs (First Term)
- Dr. Jaishankar held the same position in the previous term as well.
- During his first term, he focused on strengthening India’s ties with other nations, addressing key geopolitical issues, and promoting India’s interests abroad.
Background:
- Dr. Jaishankar has an extensive background in diplomacy.
- He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1977 and has held various important positions, including serving as India’s ambassador to the United States and China.
- His expertise in international relations and strategic affairs makes him a valuable asset in managing India’s foreign policy.
9. Piyush Goyal
Piyush Goyal, the Minister of Commerce and Industry in the third term of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government, has a diverse political career.
Portfolio: Minister of Commerce and Industry
- Piyush Goyal has retained his Cabinet portfolio as the Minister of Commerce and Industry after winning the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat by a significant 3.57 lakh vote margin.
- His focus includes closing pending Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the UK and EU, as well as beginning talks with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to boost labor-intensive exports.
Previous Roles:
- Minister of Railways and Coal (2017–19): Goyal held this position, overseeing the critical transportation and energy sectors.
- Additional Charge of Finance and Corporate Affairs: He temporarily handled these portfolios twice in 2018 and 2019.
- Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy (2014–2017), and Mines (2016–17): Goyal played a key role in these areas.
Background:
- Piyush Goyal, a chartered accountant by profession, has championed the rights of farmers and fishermen at World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings.
- His tenure has seen a shift in India’s trade policy, emphasizing FTAs with newer markets like the UAE and Australia while also strengthening trade relations with the US.
- Challenges ahead include realizing India’s goal of achieving $1 trillion in goods exports by 2030.
10. Jitan Ram Manjhi
New Portfolio:
Minister of MSME
- Manjhi, known for his survival skills, now oversees the crucial MSME sector.
- He won the Gaya Lok Sabha seat in Bihar during the 2024 elections by a significant margin.
Previous Roles:
- Bihar CM (2014–2015): Manjhi served as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a brief period of 10 months.
- Minister for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare: He held this position in Nitish Kumar’s cabinet.
- Manjhi has been a minister in several Bihar state governments under various chief ministers.
Background:
- Manjhi hails from the Musahar community.
- His party, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), has a strong Dalit representation.
- He announced support for the NDA led by the Bharatiya Janata Party after meeting Home Minister Amit Shah in February this year.
11. Ashwini Vaishnaw
Portfolio:
- Minister of Railways: Vaishnaw has assumed charge of the Railways Ministry, bringing his expertise to this critical sector.
- Minister of Information and Broadcasting: He now oversees this ministry, responsible for media and entertainment affairs.
- Minister of Electronics and Information Technology: Vaishnaw also handles the IT portfolio, focusing on digital transformation and technology initiatives.
Previous Roles:
- In the previous BJP government, Vaishnaw served as the Minister of Railways and Minister of Communications.
- His contributions to public-private partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure have been noteworthy.
Background:
- Vaishnaw began his career as a civil servant in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
- He managed Mormugao Port Trust, Goa, before transitioning to the corporate world with stints at GE Transportation and Siemens.
- An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Vaishnaw combines administrative experience with business acumen.
12. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
New Portfolio:
- Minister of Communications: Scindia returns as the telecom minister after a gap of one and a half decades. His responsibilities include completing the 5G spectrum auction and setting an agenda for the telecom sector, including satellite broadband.
- Minister of Development of the Northeastern Region: He also holds charge of this ministry, focusing on the development and welfare of the northeastern states.
Previous Roles:
- Scindia has had a rich political journey. He served as the Minister of State for Telecommunications, Posts, and IT during the UPA I government.
- In the previous NDA government, he held the crucial portfolio of Civil Aviation Minister, contributing to India’s rapidly growing aviation sector.
Background:
- Scindia hails from a distinguished political lineage. His grandfather, Jiwajirao Scindia, was the last Maharaja of the princely state of Gwalior.
- Jyotiraditya Scindia formally joined the Congress after his father’s tragic death in a plane crash in 2001.
- He won the Guna Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh in 2002 and continued to win four consecutive terms, establishing himself as a prominent leader in the state.
In summary, Jyotiraditya Scindia’s diverse experience equips him to drive progress in communication and northeastern development, contributing to India’s growth and welfare.
