List of Union Council of Ministers 2026, Check Latest List

List of Union Council of Ministers: PM Modi and 71 additional members of his Council of Ministers took the oath of office for a third consecutive term on June 9, at a ceremony conducted in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

With a strong representation of 11 portfolios awarded to the BJP’s allies in the NDA, a reasonably large cohort of 72 members of the 81 slots allotted to the Union Council of Ministers were sworn in, demonstrating a coalition administration prioritising continuity as well as evolution.

List of Union Council of Ministers: An Compreheisnve Overveiw

India’s Union Council of Ministers, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comprises 30 Cabinet Ministers, 36 Ministers of State, and 5 Independent Charge Ministers as of January 2026, totaling around 71 members.​

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List of Cabinet Ministers of India 2026

The Modi Cabinet 3.0 consists of 72 ministers, including 36 ministers of state in total, 5 ministers of state with independent responsibility, and 30 cabinet ministers. Eleven members of the NDA have been elected to the Modi Cabinet 2026 and are listed as Cabinet Ministers in 2026. The below table is the List of Cabinet Ministers of Modi 3.0 cabinet: 

Below is the Current Ministers of State list in Modi Cabinet 3.0;

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About Union Council of Ministers

The Union Council of Ministers, also known as the Cabinet, is a council of advisors to the President of India. However, the real power lies with the PM Narendra Modi and the Cabinet he heads. This council comprises the following categories categories of ministers:

• Cabinet Ministers: These senior ministers hold key portfolios and are directly responsible for specific government departments or ministries.
• Ministers of State (MoS): These ministers assist the Cabinet Ministers and may be independent (with their own specific charge) or report to a Cabinet Minister.
• Deputy Ministers: State ministers and cabinet ministers are included in this group. On the Prime Minister’s recommendation, the deputy ministers are accountable for supporting both categories of ministers in carrying out their political and administrative tasks.
• Parliamentary Secretaries: These individuals are regarded as ministers in the fourth tier. The prime minister assigns portfolios to senior category ministers, assisting them in carrying out all of their obligations and serving as a stand-in for carrying out parliamentary duties. 

The size and composition of the council are determined by the Prime Minister, with the President’s approval. There’s a constant endeavour to ensure regional and social representation within the council.

Appointment of Union Council Ministers

The President’s and the union council ministers’ appointment criteria are similar. On the Prime Minister’s recommendation, the President of India appoints them. When it comes to the nomination of council ministers, the President is advised by the Prime Minister over the qualifications of each applicant, including their political background and expertise, before granting them authority over their respective ministries. There are two main reasons for the council minister’s appointment:

• A member of one of the Parliament’s houses is the candidate for council ministers. 
• Within six months, the candidate must become a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha if they are not elected to one of the legislative bodies. The Prime Minister’s counsel might be followed during the nomination or election process to make it happen.

Oaths and Affirmations of Union Council Ministers

The following points are the Oaths and Affirmations of Union Council Ministers followed on every appointment ceremony: 

1. Form of oath of office for a Minister for the Union:— “I, A. B., do swear in the name of God/solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, 1[that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India,] that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties as a Minister for the Union and that I will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”
2. Form of oath of secrecy for a Minister for the Union:— “I, A.B., do swear in the name of God/solemnly affirm that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person or persons any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as a Minister for the Union except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as such Minister.”

Role of the Union Council of Ministers

The Council Ministers serve as representatives of various regions’ representatives and have various roles within the prime minister’s cabinet. The main roles of union council of ministers are listed below:

• Policy Formulation: They craft and formulate policies that govern various aspects of the nation, from economic development to social welfare.
• Policy Implementation: They oversee the execution of these policies through their respective ministries and departments.
• Legislation: They propose and introduce bills in Parliament to translate policies into laws.
• Administration: They manage the day-to-day functioning of the government and ensure efficient delivery of public services.
• Representation: They represent India’s interests in international forums and bilateral relations.

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Responsibility of Union Council Ministers

The Union Council of Ministers can be held accountable for their actions and decisions on two levels:

1. Collective Responsibility: Article 75 clearly states that the council of ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means that all the ministers own joint responsibility to the Lok Sabha for all their acts of omission and commission. The collective responsibility also means that the Cabinet decisions bind all cabinet ministers and other ministers, even if they differed in the cabinet meeting.
2. Individual Responsibility: Each minister is individually responsible for the performance of their specific ministry or department. They are answerable to Parliament for their actions and decisions within their portfolio.

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Difference Between Cabinet and Council of Ministers

Conclusion

The Union Council of Ministers serves as the engine driving India’s governance. The council, led by the Prime Minister, is tasked with addressing the nation’s challenges, implementing policies, and driving forward the government’s agenda. 

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