Modi 2.0 may merge several ministries in push for leaner government

The second Narendra Modi government is expected to bring in a range of changes in line with its slogan of minimum government and maximum governance, including a major restructuring of ministries, according to sources quoted in a report published as the new government was being formed.

What is being considered

Under the plan, several ministries would be combined. Each merged ministry would be headed by a Cabinet-rank minister, with three to four ministers of state under him to handle its work. Sources said there had been serious discussion on the idea and that the details of its feasibility were being worked out.

The pairings said to be under consideration include:

• Tourism and Civil Aviation, which the government was said to be examining seriously
• Health and the Department of Pharmaceuticals
• Highways and Transport
• Commerce and Heavy Industry
• Food Processing and Agriculture

There was also talk of a single ministry for security that would bring Home and Defence together. The report said this would be difficult to carry out, since both are crucial ministries that need independent charge. Home and Defence were top priorities in Modi’s first term and would remain so, with much of their oversight handled by the Prime Minister’s Office, under which the National Security Adviser’s office falls.

Finance, External Affairs and Railways were seen as unlikely to be merged.

A smaller cabinet

If the exercise goes ahead, it would effectively reduce the size of the cabinet. The report argued that, unlike the first NDA government and the two UPA governments, the present one faces few coalition pressures to accommodate allies. Allies may receive one berth each, but the longer-term aim is a smaller cabinet. Under the Constitution, the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 15 percent.

Background

The BJP won 303 of 543 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, and Modi was sworn in for a second term on 30 May 2019.

See also: election news.

Originally published on 30 May 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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