Union Cabinet Reshuffle Next Week? Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmendra Pradhan Likely to Be Dropped

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to undertake a major reshuffle of the Union Cabinet next week, with reports suggesting that several senior ministers could lose their portfolios or be dropped altogether as the BJP prepares for a crucial political phase ahead of key Assembly elections.

According to reports, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman may be shifted from the Finance Ministry to the Education (formerly Human Resource Development) portfolio, while Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is among those reportedly facing the possibility of being dropped from the Cabinet. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is also said to be under consideration for removal.

The reshuffle is expected to be one of the biggest since the formation of the Modi 3.0 government in June 2024. Sources indicate that nearly 30-40% of ministers could see changes in responsibilities, with several new faces likely to be inducted into the Council of Ministers.

Among the names being discussed for a Cabinet berth is former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, while former Union Minister Anurag Thakur is reportedly being considered for a return to the Cabinet. Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde is also said to be in contention as part of efforts to strengthen the NDA alliance.

The reported changes come as the BJP looks to recalibrate its governance and political strategy ahead of a series of Assembly elections over the next two years and the run-up to the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Party insiders suggest the reshuffle will balance administrative performance with regional and electoral considerations.

As of now, the government has not made any official announcement regarding the Cabinet reshuffle, and the reported changes remain speculative. The final list of ministers and portfolio allocations will become clear only after an official notification from the Prime Minister's Office and the Rashtrapati Bhavan.