Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday that the state’s Council of Ministers will be expanded on June 5, 2026, with new ministers to be inducted. The announcement follows the Chief Minister’s recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
This upcoming expansion is set to complete the structure of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Assam, which secured a commanding three-fourths majority in the recent 2026 Assembly elections. The move aims to strengthen governance and development initiatives under Chief Minister Sarma’s leadership.
What was announced
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma formally announced the cabinet expansion on May 31, 2026, through a post on social media platform X. He stated, “I am pleased to inform that the Council of Ministers of the Government of Assam will be expanded on 5 June 2026.”
The announcement came after Chief Minister Sarma met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, where he briefed the Prime Minister on the progress of the NDA 3.0 government in Assam and sought continued guidance. The swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers is scheduled to be held in Guwahati.
Why it matters
The cabinet expansion is a crucial step in formalising the new government structure after the NDA’s emphatic victory in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. The alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), collectively secured 102 out of 126 Assembly seats, with the BJP alone winning 82 seats.
The current cabinet operates with only four ministers alongside the Chief Minister, following the formation of the new NDA government earlier this month. The expansion is expected to bring in new ministers to key portfolios, addressing governance gaps and ensuring broader regional and community representation.
Background
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in for his second consecutive term on May 12, 2026, by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. Initially, four ministers were inducted: Rameswar Teli (BJP), Ajanta Neog (BJP), Atul Bora (AGP), and Charan Boro (BPF).
The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act (2003) stipulates that the number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, cannot exceed 15 percent of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly. With 126 members in the Assam Legislative Assembly, the maximum permissible number of ministers is approximately 19.
Prior to this, the state cabinet had seen expansions, including one on December 7, 2024, when four new ministers were inducted, increasing the Council of Ministers to 20 members, though one position remained vacant. Another expansion occurred on October 18, 2025, with the inclusion of Charan Boro from the BPF, solidifying the alliance ahead of the 2026 polls.
Political observers have noted that cabinet formation in Assam often balances administrative needs with the state’s diverse social and regional fabric, including representation from Upper Assam, Lower Assam, Barak Valley, Bodoland, and various communities.
Key details
The expansion on June 5, 2026, will see the induction of additional ministers into the Council of Ministers. While the Chief Minister has not disclosed the names or the exact number of new ministers, political observers anticipate a mix of experienced leaders and new entrants from the BJP and its alliance partners.
The current cabinet includes Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and four other ministers. The initial allocation of portfolios on May 14, 2026, saw Rameswar Teli assigned Transformation and Development, Labour Welfare, and Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare. Ajanta Neog received Women and Child Development and Tourism. Atul Bora was given Panchayat and Rural Development, Implementation of Assam Accord, Border Protection and Development, and Excise. Charan Boro was allocated Transport and Welfare of Bodoland departments.
What’s next
The swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers is scheduled for June 5, 2026, in Guwahati. This event will officially complete the cabinet formation for the new NDA government in Assam. The expanded council is expected to immediately focus on implementing the government’s governance and development agenda for the next five years.
Sources & References
Source: Devdiscourse: Assam Cabinet Expansion on June 5, Says Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma