Comprehensive List of Indian Union Ministries and Departments (2026) – UPSC Reference

The Government of India operates through a large network of ministries, departments and statutory bodies. The list below captures the complete set of Union ministries and their associated departments as of 2026 . Knowing this structure is essential for the UPSC exams, especially for the General Studies Paper‑II (Polity) and Paper‑III (Economy) sections. Key Developments The Ministry hierarchy has remained largely unchanged since the last major re‑organisation in 2023, reflecting continuity in administrative priorities. New statutory bodies such as the National Human Rights Commission and the National Security Council continue to function under the Prime Minister’s Office. Several ministries have specialised committees, e.g., the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) , which oversees economic‑related ministries. Important Facts – Full List of Ministries and Departments Below is the exhaustive list, grouped by broad functional areas. Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Finance Ministry of External Affairs Ministry of Defence Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Ministry of Rural Development Ministry of Urban Development Ministry of Education Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Ministry of Law & Justice Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change Ministry of Commerce & Industry Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Ministry of Power Ministry of Railways Ministry of Road Transport & Highways Ministry of Shipping, Port, Waterways & Inland Navigation Ministry of Labour & Employment Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Ministry of Women & Child Development Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Ministry of Culture Ministry of Tourism Ministry of Tribal Affairs Ministry of Science & Technology Ministry of Space Ministry of Atomic Energy Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry of Food Processing Industries Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers Ministry of Coal Ministry of New & Renewable Energy Ministry of Heavy Industries Ministry of Small & Medium Enterprises Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Ministry of Corporate Affairs Ministry of Labour & Employment Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation Ministry of Planning Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Ministry of Minority Affairs Ministry of Internal Security (including agencies like the National Security Council) Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Education) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare – includes the Department of Fertilizers UPSC Relevance Understanding the exact portfolio of each ministry helps candidates answer questions on: Administrative structure and inter‑ministerial coordination (GS2: Polity). Policy formulation and implementation mechanisms, e.g., how the CCEA guides economic reforms. Sector‑specific schemes and their impact on development indicators (GS3: Economy, GS4: Ethics). Roles of statutory bodies like the National Human Rights Commission in governance. Way Forward for Aspirants Students should regularly consult the official India.gov.in portal for updates, as ministries may be re‑structured after elections or policy reviews. Creating a tabular summary of ministries, their heads and key departments will aid quick recall during prelims and mains preparation.