Cabinet Reshuffle: How are new ministers being selected? Here's a clue

As political watchers await with bated breath the new names that are likely to be announced evening, we look at the probable guiding principles behind this selection. Since its inception, the Modi-led NDA government has focussed on 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

The new set of India's Council of Ministers will be chosen keeping that paradigm in mind while accounting for political exigencies in view of coming elections. Here's how the government has fared so far in keeping electoral and administrative challenges in mind:

Government for Dalits and other socially marginalised communities

• Record 12 SC Ministers
• Across States (8) – Bihar, MP, UP, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu
• Across Communities (12) – Chamar–Ramdassia, Khatik, Pasi, Kori, Madiga, Mahar, Arundathiyar, Meghwal, Rajbonshi, Matua-Namashudra, Dhangar, Dusadh
• 2 SC Cabinet Ministers

Government for tribes of India

• Record 8 ST Ministers
• Across States (8) – Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam
• Across Communities (7) – Gond, Santal, Miji, Munda, Tea tribe, Kokana, Sonowal–Kachari
• 3 ST Cabinet Ministers

Government for backward communities

• Record 27 OBC Ministers
• Across States (15)
• Across Communities (19) – Yadav, Kurmi, Jat, Gurjar, Khandayat, Bhandari, Bairagi, Tea Tribe, Thakor, Koli, Vokkaliga Tulu Gowda, Ezhava, Lodh, Agri, Vanjari, Meitei, Nat, Mallah–Nishad, Modh Teli, Darzi (with many communities getting a seat at the table for the first time)
• 5 OBC Cabinet Ministers

Government for minorities

• 5 Minority Ministers
• Across States (5) – Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh
• Across Communities - 1 Muslim, 1 Sikh, 1 Christian, 2 Buddhist
• 3 Minority Cabinet Ministers

A government for everyone

• 29 Ministers from Other communities
• Across Communities - Brahmin, Kshatriya, Baniya, Bhumihar, Kayasth, Lingayat, Khatri, Kadva and Leuva Patel, Maratha, Reddy

Government for Women

• Mahilaon ki Sarkar – 11 Women Ministers
• Across States (9)
• Across Communities (9)
• 2 Women Cabinet Ministers

The government is also likely to continue the pattern of bringing in young ministers, as it has shown confidence in letting relatively younger politicians lead the States. From Arunachal Pradesh's Pema Khandu (41), to Uttarakhand's Pushkar Singh Dhami (45), a crop of young leaders has taken charge in BJP-led governments.