Editor’s Update (22 May 2026): This article has been updated to reflect the cabinet expansion announced on 21 May 2026. Chief Minister Vijay inducted 23 additional ministers, taking the total cabinet strength to 33, including the CM. Two vacancies remain for future expansion
A new political chapter began in Tamil Nadu as actor-turned-politician Vijay took oath as the Chief Minister along with a nine-member cabinet in Chennai on 10 May 2026. The swearing-in ceremony marked a historic moment in the state’s politics, with Vijay’s party forming the government after a strong electoral performance in the 2026 Assembly elections.
On 21 May 2026, CM Vijay significantly expanded his government by inducting 23 new ministers into the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) cabinet. The expanded cabinet now has 33 members including the Chief Minister — just two short of the constitutional ceiling of 35 (15% of the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly under Article 164(1A)). The expansion also marked a historic moment as the Indian National Congress returned to the Tamil Nadu government after 59 years.
Tamil Nadu Cabinet Ministers List 2026 — Full Updated List:
| S.No | Minister Name | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vijay | Chief Minister |
| 2 | Aadhav Arjuna | Deputy Chief Minister & Home |
| 3 | V. Senthil Balaji | Finance |
| 4 | T. Velmurugan | Rural Development |
| 5 | M. Jagadeesan | Education |
| 6 | K. Bharathi | Health & Family Welfare |
| 7 | P. Rajkumar | Housing and Urban Development |
| 8 | R. Mahalakshmi | Women & Child Development |
| 9 | S. Naveen Kumar | Transport |
| 10 | D. Prakash | Information Technology |
| 11 | K.A. Sengottaiyan (New) | Revenue and Disaster Management |
| 12 | Srinath (New) | Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare |
| 13 | S. Kamali (New) | Animal Husbandry |
| 14 | C. Vijayalakshmi (New) | Dairy Development |
| 15 | R.V. Ranjithkumar (New) | Forests |
| 16 | Vinoth (New) | Agriculture and Farmers Welfare |
| 17 | Rajeev (New) | Environment and Climate Change |
| 18 | V. Kanthiraj (New) | Cooperation |
| 19 | P. Madhan Raja (New) | MSME |
| 20 | K. Jegatheeswari (New) | Social Welfare |
| 21 | S. Rajesh Kumar (New, INC) | Tourism |
| 22 | M. Vijay Balaji (New) | Handlooms, Textiles and Khadi |
| 23 | D. Lokesh Tamilselvan (New) | Commercial Taxes and Registration |
| 24 | A. Vijay Tamizhan Parthiban (New) | Transport |
| 25 | Ramesh (New) | Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments |
| 26 | P. Viswanathan (New, INC) | Higher Education |
| 27 | R. Kumar (New) | Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology |
| 28 | K. Thennarasu (New) | Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils |
| 29 | V. Sampathkumar (New) | Backward Classes Welfare |
| 30 | J. Mohamed Parvaaz (New) | Labour Welfare and Skill Development |
| 31 | D. Sarathkumar (New) | Human Resources Management |
| 32 | N. Maria Wilson (New) | Finance, Planning and Development |
| 33 | K. Vignesh (New) | Prohibition and Excise |
Key Highlights:
- Vijay officially became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after taking oath in Chennai on 10 May 2026.
- CM Vijay inducted 23 new ministers on 21 May 2026, expanding the cabinet from 10 to 33 members.
- The Tamil Nadu cabinet is now at 33 — just 2 short of the constitutional maximum of 35 ministers.
- The Indian National Congress returned to the Tamil Nadu government after 59 years with two ministerial berths — S. Rajesh Kumar (Tourism) and P. Viswanathan (Higher Education).
- Seven Dalit members have been inducted into the expanded cabinet, reflecting strong community representation.
- AIADMK rebel MLAs were ruled out of cabinet berths amid pending corruption cases.
- Rumours suggest VCK and IUML may fill the remaining two vacancies in a future expansion.
Congress Returns After 59 Years
One of the most significant moments of the expansion was the return of the Indian National Congress to the Tamil Nadu cabinet after six decades. The last time Congress was part of the state government was in 1967 under Chief Minister M. Bhaktavatsalam. The Congress party currently holds five Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu and was allied with the TVK in the 2026 elections.
What’s Next?
With two cabinet positions still vacant under the constitutional ceiling, the Vijay government is expected to induct representatives from the VCK and IUML in a further expansion. The newly expanded cabinet is expected to announce key policy priorities for the state in the coming weeks.
Note: This article was originally published on 11 May 2026 with the initial 10-member cabinet list. It has been updated on 22 May 2026 to reflect the full 33-member cabinet following the expansion announced on 21 May 2026.
