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Jun 23, 2026 Major3
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Union Minister George Kurian Resigns After Rajya Sabha Term Ends
Union Minister George Kurian resigned after his Rajya Sabha term ended on June 21, 2026, and the BJP did not renominate him. President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation. The resignation fuels speculation of a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Quick Facts
Who
George Kurian
What
resigned as Union Minister of State
When
June 23, 2026
Where
New Delhi
- resigned as Union Minister of State
- accepted resignation
- Rajya Sabha term ended
- not renominated for Rajya Sabha
- George Kurian
Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian, has resigned following the conclusion of his Rajya Sabha term. President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation on Tuesday, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi under Article 75(2) of the Constitution.
Kurian, 65, was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh in August 2024 and served as a central minister in the third Modi government since June 9, 2024. His six-year term ended on June 21, 2026. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not offer him a ticket for re-election to the Upper House, leading to his resignation from the Council of Ministers.
The development comes amid growing speculation about a possible cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Modi. Though the BJP has not officially confirmed any changes, sources indicate that some leaders occupying government positions may be reassigned to party organisational roles. The BJP recently announced new state presidents for Punjab, Haryana, Tripura and Delhi.
Kurian, a senior BJP leader from Kerala, is reportedly interested in focusing on party work in the state. He had contested the Kerala assembly election from Kanjirappally but faced a significant setback, securing fewer votes than the party's candidate in 2021. He was the only Christian minister in the central government.
Why This Matters
George Kurian's resignation, following the end of his Rajya Sabha term and the BJP's decision not to renominate him, signals a potential cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Modi. This could affect policy continuity in minority affairs, fisheries, and animal husbandry, and may indicate broader organizational changes within the BJP, especially in Kerala where Kurian plans to focus on party work.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 9, 2024
WireGeorge Kurian sworn in as Union Minister of State in the third Modi government.
Jun 21, 2026
WireKurian's Rajya Sabha term expires.
Jun 23, 2026
WireKurian resigns as Union Minister; President accepts resignation.
Entities
Sources
- बदलने वाली है टीम मोदी? कैबिनेट फेरबदल की अटकलों के बीच केंद्रीय मंत्री का इस्तीफाLive HindustanMediaJun 23, 2026
- രാജ്യസഭയിലേക്ക് ഇനി അവസരമില്ല; കേന്ദ്രമന്ത്രി ജോർജ് കുര്യൻ രാജിവച്ചുManorama OnlineMediaJun 23, 2026
- രാജ്യസഭാ കാലാവധി കഴിഞ്ഞു; കേന്ദ്ര മന്ത്രി ജോർജ് കുര്യൻ രാജിവെച്ചുMathrubhumiMediaJun 23, 2026