NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to rejig his Cabinet next month, his first such exercise since he assumed power for a third consecutive term in May 2024.

According to sources, some ministers are likely to be dropped, while the representation of poll-bound Uttar Pradesh is expected to go up in view of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Among those likely to be dropped is Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra. He was appointed Delhi BJP president earlier this week.

In his place, Lok Sabha member from West Delhi Kamaljeet Sehrawat is likely to be inducted into the Union Council of Ministers.

Similarly, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary is set to be dropped. He took over as the Uttar Pradesh BJP chief in December 2025.

The fate of Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu also hangs in the balance, given that the BJP top brass is said to be unhappy with his poll-management skills in the recently concluded local body elections in Punjab. There is also a question mark over his renomination to the Rajya Sabha.

It remains to be seen if the Prime Minister will show the door to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is under fire over the NEET paper leak and the controversy involving the CBSE.

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s continuation is said to be doubtful following the Opposition’s tirade against him over the infamous Epstein files.

The chances of Rajya Sabha member Satnam Singh Sandhu being inducted into the Union Cabinet are high, as the BJP leadership is keen on increasing Punjab’s share in view of the upcoming polls.

The other possibility is that former Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar may be inducted into the Union Cabinet and subsequently nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

Along with Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, Assembly elections are due in Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur in February-March next year.

The portfolios of some ministers are also likely to be changed.

There is no clarity on the future role of former BJP chief and Union Health Minister JP Nadda in Himachal Pradesh, which, along with Gujarat, goes to polls in December 2027. (Source: Newsdrum)