Published Jul 12, 2026 | 11:45 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 12, 2026 | 11:45 AM
DK Shivakumar and the ministers with Congress leaders after taking the oath of office.
Synopsis: The Congress government in Karnataka is likely to expand the state Cabinet on 13 July, with the swearing-in expected after the party leadership gives its final approval.
The Congress government in Karnataka is likely to expand the state Cabinet on Monday, 13 July, with the swearing-in expected after the party leadership gives its final approval.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara have held multiple rounds of discussions with the Congress high command in New Delhi to finalise the list of new ministers.
The expansion comes amid weeks of lobbying by Congress MLAs seeking Cabinet berths. The exercise is expected to strike a balance between regional, caste and community representation while accommodating senior leaders and first-time legislators.
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The Cabinet currently has 14 ministers, including the chief minister, against the constitutional limit of 34, leaving several key portfolios with Shivakumar. The expansion is expected to distribute these portfolios and strengthen the government ahead of the upcoming Assembly session.
The final list of ministers is expected to be announced after the Congress leadership clears the names, with the swearing-in ceremony likely to take place at the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru.
Shivakumar took oath as the chief minister on 3 June along with 13 other ministers and G Parameshwara as the deputy chief minister.
Of the 13 ministers, all but Yathindra Siddaramaiah served in the previous Siddaramaiah Cabinet. Their selection was said to be aimed at ensuring representation across a range of caste and community groups, given that Shivakumar belongs to the dominant Vokkaliga community.
Following the portfolio allocation, Shivakumar had taken charge of Finance, Cabinet Affairs, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Intelligence and all other unallocated portfolios.
It is unclear whether all 34 berths of the Karnataka Cabinet will be filled during this expansion.
(With inputs from Keerthivas.)
