Gandhinagar: With the expansion of the council of ministers of the Bhupendra Patel-led Gujarat government today, several fresh faces took oath as Ministers of State in the reshuffled and enlarged cabinet. During the swearing-in ceremony held at Mahatma Mandir this afternoon, Harsh Sanghvi was the first to take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister, followed by five new cabinet ministers. Subsequently, the Ministers of State took oath one after another.

Getting promoted from MoS to MoS (Independent Charge), Praful Panseriya took oath of office. The Kamrej MLA was serving as MoS for Parliamentary Affairs, Primary, Secondary, and Adult Education, and Higher Education before resigning yesterday. Panseriya was born in 1971 and holds a Master of Arts degree in Political Science. He comes from the Leuva Patidar community and has been at the forefront of implementing reforms in Gujarat’s education system.

Along with him, Ishwarsinh Patel, MLA from Ankleshwar in Bharuch, and Manisha Vakil, MLA from the Vadodara city seat reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), also took oath.

Ishwarsinh Patel’s political journey began in 1990 when he served as the BJP District President of Bharuch. He has been MLA from the Ankleshwar assembly seat since 2002, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister. From 2017 to 2022, he also held the position of Minister of State for portfolios including Transport, Cooperation (Independent Charge), Sports (Independent Charge), and Youth and Cultural Activities (Independent Charge).

Manisha Vakil, the 50-year-old MLA from Vadodara city assembly constituency, also took oath as MoS (Independent Charge). She is a three-time MLA from Vadodara city, winning consecutive elections in 2012, 2017, and 2022. In 2022, she won for the third time with 1,30,705 votes. Earlier, she had served as Minister for Women and Child Welfare in 2021 and secured a place in the cabinet again in 2025.

After these three MoS (Independent Charge) junior ministers were administered the oath by Governor Acharya Devvrat, the first batch of MLAs included Ceramic City Morbi MLA Kantibhai Amrutiya, Fatepura (ST reserved seat) MLA Rameshbhai Katara, and Asarva (SC reserved seat in Ahmedabad city) MLA Darshnaben Vaghela.

Kantibhai Amrutiya was born on March 8, 1962, and was elected as an MLA for the first time in 1995. Belonging to the Kadva Patel sub-caste, he has completed education up to the 12th standard.

Rameshbhai Bhurabhai Katara represents the Fatepura (ST) constituency. He was born on May 4, 1975. A member of the Bhil sub-caste, he has studied up to the 12th standard. He contested the 2002 Gujarat Assembly elections as a BJP candidate and won. In 2017, he was again elected as an MLA from the BJP. In 2021, Rameshbhai Katara was appointed party whip in the assembly.

Darshanaben Vaghela represents the Asarwa (SC) constituency. Born on September 5, 1972, she belongs to the Valmiki community and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree. She entered active politics when BJP gave her a ticket for the first time in 2010 from the Asarwa constituency. By profession, she has been a teacher and served as a school principal. Her husband works as a Class I Officer in the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).

Following them, Amreli MLA Kaushik Vekariya, Deesa MLA Pravin Mali, Nizar (ST reserved seat) MLA Dr. Jayrambhai Gamit, Trikambhai Chhanga (Anjar, Kutch), Kamlesh Patel (Petlad, Central Gujarat), and Sanjaysinh Mahida (Mahudha, Central Gujarat) also took oath.

Kaushikbhai Vekariya was born on June 9, 1986. He belongs to the Leuva Patel sub-caste and holds a B.Com degree. He has served as the former Deputy Whip of the Assembly. His political journey began in Devarajiya village of Amreli taluka. From 2002 to 2006, he was an active member of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), followed by roles as General Secretary and Taluka President of the BJP, eventually becoming District BJP President. After winning the 2022 Gujarat Assembly election, he was appointed Deputy Whip of the Legislative Assembly.

Pravinbhai Gordhanji Mali represents the Deesa constituency. Belonging to the Mali community, he has a Bachelor of Arts degree. Mali is the son of former MLA Gordhanji Mali and has been actively involved with the BJP’s Deesa unit. Between 2013 and 2016, he served as State Secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha.

Dr. Jayram Gamit represents the Nizar constituency in Tapi district (ST reserved seat). He first contested and won in 2002 and has been a prominent tribal leader. In the 2022 elections, he defeated his nearest rival by a margin of 23,160 votes.

Trikambhai Bijalbhai Chhanga represents Anjar. Born on June 1, 1962, he belongs to the Ahir community and holds B.A., B.Ed., and LL.B. degrees. Known for his dedication to public welfare and education, he is a grassroots leader in Kutch.

Kamleshbhai Rameshbhai Patel represents Petlad. Born on April 12, 1970, he belongs to the Leuva Patel sub-caste and holds M.Sc. and B.Ed. degrees. He is a first-time MLA.

Sanjaysinh Vijaysinh Mahida represents Mahudha. Born on October 20, 1979, he belongs to the Rajput community and has completed the first year of his B.A. studies. Before politics, he was engaged in business. He is a first-time MLA after winning in 2022 and is among the youngest ministers in the cabinet.

PC Baranda (Bhiloda – ST), Swarupji Thakor (Vav), and Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja (Jamnagar North) were also sworn in as Ministers of State.

Baranda was born on June 1, 1959. Belonging to the Dungli (Garasia) sub-caste, he holds B.A. and B.P.Ed. degrees. He was a Superintendent of Police before voluntarily retiring. His wife also served as a District Collector. He lost the 2017 election but won in 2022 from Bhiloda.

Swarupji Sardarji Thakor represents Vav. Born on June 1, 1979, he belongs to the Thakor community and studied up to the 10th standard. He lost the 2022 general election but won the subsequent bypoll when the seat fell vacant. He has served as regional vice president of Thakor Sena.

Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja was born on September 5, 1990, making her the youngest minister in the state. A Mechanical Engineer by qualification, she is married to cricket icon Ravindra Jadeja and is a first-time MLA. She also founded “Matrushakti Charitable Trust,” focused on women’s empowerment. DeshGujarat