West Bengal Cabinet Expansion 2026: 35 New Ministers Sworn In, Ministry Strength Rises to 41
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Kolkata
- Jun 01, 2026
- 133
The West Bengal government (Government of West Bengal) carried out its first major cabinet expansion on Monday, inducting 35 new ministers into the state administration. Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and senior government officials.
Among the newly inducted members, 13 were elevated to Cabinet rank, three were sworn in as Ministers of State with Independent Charge, while 19 assumed office as Ministers of State. Following the expansion, the strength of the Council of Ministers has increased to 41.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had taken oath on May 9 after the BJP secured a decisive mandate in the West Bengal Assembly elections. Senior BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Nishith Pramanik, Ashok Kirtania and Kshudiram Tudu were among those who had earlier joined the ministry.
Despite the latest expansion, three ministerial positions remain vacant. Under constitutional provisions, West Bengal can have a maximum of 44 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
The limit is based on the 91st Constitutional Amendment, which restricts the size of a state ministry to 15 percent of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly. With 294 members in the West Bengal Assembly, (West Bengal Legislative Assembly) the state can accommodate up to 44 ministers.
Sources indicate that the remaining three ministerial berths are unlikely to be filled immediately.
PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has retained direct control over the Home and Finance departments, two of the most significant portfolios in the state government.
Nishith Pramanik has been assigned North Bengal Development along with Sports and Youth Welfare.
Dilip Ghosh will oversee Rural Development, Animal Resources Development and Agricultural Marketing.
Agnimitra Paul has been entrusted with Women and Child Development, Social Welfare and Municipal Affairs.
Ashok Kirtania has received the Food and Civil Supplies and Cooperation portfolios, while Kshudiram Tudu will handle Tribal Development, Backward Classes Welfare, Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education.
BJP'S STRONG ELECTORAL PERFORMANCE
The Assembly election results announced on May 4 delivered a clear victory for the BJP. The party won 207 seats, while the Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats.
A subsequent election held on May 21 for a vacant constituency was also won by the BJP, taking its final tally in the 294-member Assembly to 208 seats.
MANOJ KUMAR AGARWAL APPOINTED CHIEF SECRETARY
In another significant administrative decision, the West Bengal government has appointed senior IAS officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal as the new Chief Secretary of the state.
The appointment order was issued on May 11, 2026, and will remain effective until further instructions. Prior to his elevation, Agarwal served as the Chief Electoral Officer and Additional Chief Secretary in the Home and Hill Affairs Department.
According to the government notification, the appointment was made in the interest of efficient public administration, and the officer has been directed to assume charge immediately.
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