Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, S Jaishankar & Nirmala Sitharaman: Ministers Who Retained Portfolios

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's top four ministers – Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar – have retained ir respective home, defence, finance and external affairs portfolios, according to an official statement.

A day after Narendra Modi took oath as country's Prime Minister for a record third term, along with his council of 72 ministers, PM Modi chaired his first high-level cabinet meeting to deliberate upon portfolio allocation for ministers sworn in to new government. Shah will stay with Union Ministry of Home Affairs while Singh will retain Defence portfolio. Jaishankar will continue to look after Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) while Sitharaman has been tasked to handle Union Ministry of Finance, much in line with 2019 allocation of Cabinet portfolios in Modi 2.0 government, which gave elected representatives of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – a key player in ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) – charge of top five Raisina Hill ministries.

re will be no change in five big ministries of Government of India, sources told Republic earlier during day, ding that Home, Finance, MEA, Defence, Ro and Transport Ministry will likely remain with same ministers at helm.

Amit Shah

Recognised for his political acumen and strategic prowess, senior BJP leer Amit Shah has played a pivotal role in phenomenal growth of saffron party which helped it to cross 300-seat mark in 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Known as second-most influential figure in country after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a person dedicated to saffron ideology, 59-year-old Shah rose as BJP's master organiser when its alliance secured 73 seats from Uttar Presh in 2014 under his leership as party's general secretary.

Often likened to modern-day Chanakya, Shah me history by becoming youngest president of Bharatiya Janata Party at 49 in 2014, later assuming office as one of youngest Union Home Ministers at 54 in 2019.

Born into a prominent Gujarati family in Mumbai in 1964, Shah's political journey began at age of 16 when he joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a 'Swayamsevak' in 1980, swiftly immersing himself in activities of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parish (ABVP) soon after.

By demonstrating unwavering commitment to party's principles, exceptional organisational skills, and eloquence, Shah swiftly climbed ranks, becoming joint secretary of ABVP's Gujarat unit within two years.

Transitioning into mainstream politics in 1987, Shah aligned with youth wing of BJP, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).

His appointment as secretary of BJP's Ahmedab city in 1989 marked a significant milestone in his political trajectory.

Shah's influence continued to grow as he assumed key roles, such as serving as chief campaigner and election strategist for stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna vani.

His electoral victories in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency in 2019 and 2024 furr solidified his position as a formidable leer.

Throughout his career, Shah has held various key positions, including national treasurer of BJYM in 1997 and multiple terms as an MLA from Gujarat. His tenure as Gujarat's home minister saw him managing an extensive portfolio of 12 crucial departments.

Among his many achievements, Shah's tenure as BJP president from 2014 to 2019 witnessed significant electoral victories and organisational growth across various states, solidifying party's presence nationwide.

Transitioning to role of Union Home Minister in second Modi government, Shah continued to play a pivotal role in shaping key policies, including abrogation of Article 370 and enactment of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Known for his meticulous approach, Shah's tenure has been marked by proactive decision-making and a commitment to strengning national security and justice systems, exemplifying his enduring influence in Indian politics.

In a bold move that aimed at reshaping landscape of country's criminal justice system, Shah introduced three revolutionary laws aimed at modernising and replacing outdated British-era legislation.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya hiniyam 2023 are set to replace Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, marking a significant shift towards a more efficient and effective legal framework.

se laws are scheduled to come into effect on July 1, 2024.

Shah has also been instrumental in quelling Maoist violence and restoring peace in Norastern states through strategic peace accords.

Rajnath Singh 

A strategist and a quintessential political leer with grassroots connect, Rajnath Singh is credited with expanding BJP's organisational network in Hindi heartland state of Uttar Presh in 1990s and subsequent deces.

Hailing from Chandauli district of politically crucial state, Singh is known as a moderate face and is widely respected by leers cutting across party lines.

72-year-old Singh, whose illustrious political career spanned over five deces, on Sunday took oath as a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet.

Long seen as a protege of BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Singh started his political career as a student activist with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parish (ABVP) and went on to become BJP national president in 2005.

senior BJP leer was elected for anor term as party president in January 2013.

In Lok Sabha polls, Singh retained prestigious Lucknow constituency.

In first tenure of Prime Minister Modi, Singh served as Union Home Minister.

As defence minister since 2019, he initiated several path-breaking measures to strengn India's combat reiness along border with China as well as boost country's defence manufacturing.

Under his leership, defence ministry pursued an aggressive policy to enhance infrastructure along frontier region that significantly helped faster military mobilisation in sensitive sectors.

His tenure as defence minister also saw India ramping up its maritime prowess in strategic waterways in Indian Ocean region.

Born on July 10, 1951, in a farmer's family at village Babhora in Tehsil Chakia of Varanasi district (now district Chandauli) in Uttar Presh, Singh received his basic education in his native place and completed his MSc in Physics from Gorakhpur University.

He entered politics in 1974 and in 1977, and was elected as an MLA in Uttar Presh Assembly. 

Singh was elected as MLC for Uttar Presh Legislative Council in 1988 and became Education Minister in 1991.

He became a member of Rajya Sabha in 1994. On November 22, 1999, he became Union Surface Transport Minister in Vajpayee government.

Singh became chief minister of Uttar Presh on October 28, 2000, and was twice elected as MLA from Haidargarh constituency in Barabanki.

On May 24, 2003, he became Union Minister of Agriculture. Singh assumed charge as BJP national president on December 31, 2005, a post he held till December 19, 2009.

S Jaishankar

Jaishankar, whose illustrious diplomatic career spanned four deces, on Sunday took oath as a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet.

With 69-year-old retaining external affairs ministry portfolio, his immediate focus area would now remain three-fold: challenges arising out of China's bullying tactics along frontier, protecting India's interest in view of ongoing situation in West Asia and conflict in Ukraine.

Known for his extraordinary sharpness and efficiency, external affairs minister has earned kudos within India, especially from youths, primarily for his decisive articulation of India's foreign policy priorities.

As external affairs minister, Jaishankar, who is an ardent mirer of Modi, displayed with confidence his ability to clearly articulate India's positions on a range of complex issues on global stage.

From blunting Western criticism of New Delhi's procurement of crude oil from Moscow in wake of war in Ukraine to crafting a firm policy approach to deal with an assertive China, Jaishankar emerged as one of leing ministers with an impressive record of performance.

He has also been credited with managing to bring matters of foreign policy to domestic discourse, especially during India's presidency of G20.

Jaishankar joined Indian Foreign Service in 1977. He served as India's foreign secretary during first tenure of Modi government (2015-18). He h also been Ambassor to United States (2013-15), China (2009-2013) and Czech Republic (2000-2004).

He was India's high commissioner to Singapore (2007-2009).

Jaishankar has served in or diplomatic assignments in Embassies in Moscow, Colombo, Budapest and Tokyo, as well as in Ministry of External Affairs and President's Secretariat.

He was also president of Global Corporate Affairs at Tata Sons Private Ltd after he retired as foreign secretary.

He is a gruate of St. Stephen's College at University of Delhi and has done his Masters in Political Science and an M. Phil and PhD in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.

He is a recipient of Pma Shri award in 2019 and has written a widely acclaimed best-selling book: ' India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World'. 

Nirmala Sitharaman

Sitharaman, who joined likes of Arun Jaitley and Manmohan Singh by serving a full term as Finance Minister and is credited with carrying forward second-generation reforms, created a record by being first woman to be sworn in as minister for third consecutive term of Modi government.

Being a fiery spokesperson of BJP, she was inducted into Cabinet when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister of NDA government in 2014.

As a staunch defender of Modi government's economic policies and executor, she created a record when she was appointed as first female Raksha Mantri, or Defence Minister, in 2017. Prior to that, she was industry and commerce minister.

When her mentor Arun Jaitley took ill, Sitharaman was given charge of finance portfolio in n re-elected Modi government after 2019 general elections, during which BJP won its highest seats of 303.

She became first full-time woman Finance Minister in Independent India.  

Soon after taking over, her first major reform was a cut in base corporate tax to 22 percent from 30 percent to prop up economy hit by demonetisation and GST implementation.

following year, India weared COVID-19 pandemic with an array of policy measures announced for poor and continued its tag of fastest growing major economy and a 'bright spot' in world economy.

To overcome hardship during pandemic, government announced a special economic package worth Rs 20 lakh crore equivalent to roughly 10 percent of India's GDP.

She steered economy from nearly 24 percent contraction in first quarter of FY21 to fastest-growing world economy.

Despite fiscal expansion, she continued to follow path of fiscal consolidation and was successful in bringing down fiscal deficit to 5.6 percent of GDP from earlier estimate of 5.8 percent in FY24.

She also set a record by presenting sixth Budget in a row – five annual Budgets and one interim –  a feat achieved so far only by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

Born in Murai on August 18, 1959 to Narayan Sitharaman (who worked in Railways) and Savitri (a homemaker), Nirmala Sitharaman studied economics at Tiruchirapalli's Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College.

She n moved to capital to pursue her Master's and M.Phil in subject from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Sitharaman's political career began in 2008 when she joined BJP (she returned to India in early 1990s), and in two years became party's second woman spokesperson after Sushma Swaraj, fielding questions from journalists at party hequarters and also becoming a familiar face on television debates.

(With inputs from PTI)