The Kerala government has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) ministry at cabinet level for the first time, marking a significant shift in the state's governance structure. According to the latest state Gazette order released on May 20, the AI ministry has been placed under the Industries and Commerce department, along with Information Technology and other allied sectors. PK Kunhalikutty, a veteran Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader, has been assigned the Industries and Commerce, Information Technology, and newly created Artificial Intelligence department, along with start-ups, mining and geology, handlooms and textiles. This move marks a notable departure from the usual practice of grouping AI under broader IT departments, with the inclusion of AI as a separate responsibility signalling Kerala's push to position itself as a major hub for emerging technologies and digital innovation. The cabinet portfolios have been notified with the approval of Governor Rajendra Arlekar recommended by Chief Minister VD Satheesan.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan will continue to oversee key departments including Finance, Kerala Financial Corporation, Ports, Law, Pollution Control, Airports, Metro Rail, and Railways, as per the official notification released on May 20. As reported by the state Gazette order, senior leader Ramesh Chennithala has been given charge of the Home department along with Vigilance, Fire and Rescue Services, Prisons, and Coir. PC Vishnunadh has been allotted Tourism and Culture, including the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), while M Liju has been assigned Co-operation and Excise. Roji M John has been given charge of Collegiate Education, Technical Education, Universities (excluding specialised universities), NCC, and Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP). T Siddique has been assigned Agriculture and allied sectors, while K A Thulasi has been given charge of social welfare portfolios, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes development.
The cabinet reshuffle comes after the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) officially assumed power in Kerala on Monday, ending ten years of Communist Party of India-led (Marxist) Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule. According to the state Gazette order, VD Satheesan took the oath of office and secrecy as the state's 13th Chief Minister in a grand ceremony at the Central Stadium in the state capital on Monday. The newly formed UDF government wasted no time in implementing immediate policy measures to fulfill core election promises, with Chief Minister Satheesan chairing his first Cabinet meeting following the grand ceremony. The alliance secured 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly, with the Congress winning 63 seats in the April 9 Assembly elections, defeating the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
The state government has distributed additional portfolios among senior leaders, with Sunny Joseph being assigned Electricity and Environment portfolios. K Muraleedharan has been given charge of Health and Medical Education department, which includes Ayush, Drugs Control, and Devaswoms. AP Anilkumar will oversee Revenue portfolios, including Land Revenue, Survey and Land Records, and Land Reforms. PC Vishnunadh has been allotted Tourism and Culture, including the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), while M Liju has been assigned Co-operation and Excise. Roji M John has been given charge of Collegiate Education, Technical Education, Universities (excluding specialised universities), NCC, and Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP). N Samsudheen will handle General Education, Wakf, Haj Pilgrimage and Minority Welfare. K M Shaji has been given Panchayat and Rural Development, and P K Basheer has been assigned Public Works Department.
In other major appointments, VE Abdul Gafoor will oversee Fisheries and Harbour Engineering, Mons Joseph will manage Irrigation, Water Supply and Housing portfolios, and Anoop Jacob will handle Food and Civil Supplies. Forests and Skill Development have been assigned to Shibu Baby John, while Road Transport and Motor Vehicles have been allotted to CP John. The decisions were announced following the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed UDF government. Additionally, Advocate T Asaf Ali has been appointed as the Director General of Prosecution, while Advocate Jaju Babu, who had served as legal advisor to former Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, has been appointed as Advocate General. V D Satheesan was sworn in as Kerala's 24th Chief Minister at Thiruvananthapuram's Central Stadium along with his 20-member cabinet on May 18.
