Union Minister George Kurian Steps Down as Rajya Sabha Term Concludes

Union Minister of State George Kurian tendered his resignation from the Union Council of Ministers on June 23, 2026, a move officially accepted by President Droupadi Murmu. The resignation came into immediate effect following the conclusion of Kurian's term as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of India's bicameral legislature. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had opted not to renominate him for another term, which necessitated his departure from the ministerial role.

Kurian, a long-standing figure within the BJP, served as the Minister of State for Minority Affairs and also held responsibilities in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. His stint in the third Narendra Modi-led government, which began on June 9, 2024, concluded with this resignation. The President's acceptance of his resignation was made under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution, as advised by the Prime Minister.

The role of a Minister of State in the Indian government is crucial, typically involving assistance to a Cabinet Minister or, in some cases, holding independent charge of a ministry. Ministers of State without independent charge are not typically part of Cabinet meetings but are vital for the administration and implementation of policies within their assigned departments. Kurian's portfolios underscore the government's focus on welfare for minority communities and the development of the crucial fisheries and livestock sectors across the nation.

George Kurian's political journey is extensive, spanning over four decades since he joined the BJP in 1980, shortly after its formation. Born in 1960 in Nambiakulam near Ettumanoor in Kerala's Kottayam district, Kurian pursued education in political science and law, eventually practicing as a Supreme Court lawyer. His early political activism began through student movements, and he steadily rose through the ranks of the BJP, holding various key organizational positions at both state and national levels.

Notably, Kurian has been recognized as a prominent Christian face for the BJP in Kerala, a state where the party has historically sought to expand its outreach to the Christian community. His roles included National Vice President of the BJP Minority Morcha, Executive Member of the BJP Kerala State Unit, and Spokesperson for BJP Kerala. He also served as a member of the National Executive Committee of the BJP and was the national vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). From 1999 to 2004, he served as Officer on Special Duty to then-Union Minister O. Rajagopal. Additionally, he was the Vice-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, becoming the first Malayali to hold that position.

His departure from the Union Council of Ministers highlights the parliamentary requirement that a minister must be a member of either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. Members of the Rajya Sabha serve a six-year term, with one-third of its members retiring every two years. While retiring members are eligible for re-election or renomination, the BJP's decision not to renominate Kurian meant his tenure in Parliament, and consequently his ministerial position, came to an end. This event marks the close of a distinguished period of public service for George Kurian within the Union government, as his extensive experience and dedication to the party and public welfare conclude in a formal capacity.