Manmohan's new team to take charge today

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's new team will take charge today, a day after Singh reshuffled his cabinet, in what he hoped would be the last time before the 2014 polls. Cabinet goes for a makeover | VOTE: Are you impressed with Manmohan's cabinet after reshuffle? | Change of guard

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's new team will take charge on Monday, a day after Singh reshuffled his cabinet, in what he hoped would be the last time before the 2014 polls. Terming the reshuffle a blend on youth and experience, Singh hopes that this reshuffle would help remove the taint of scams and policy paralysis that his government faces.

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The eagerly anticipated reshuffle of the union council of ministers, which took place on Sunday, brought in young faces in key positions and rewarded loyalty, but could be found deficient in negotiating a balancing act in regional representation.

The reshuffle, also geared for giving a fillip to the recent reforms push of the government, put some key ministries under the control of reform enthusiasts.

While the average age of the union cabinet has reduced only marginally - from 59.6 to 58.9 - the youth emphasis is visible in the selection of ministers of state with independent charge.

Manish Tewari joined this club with Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sachin Pilot and Jitendra Singh, among others. All four leaders are considered very close to Rahul Gandhi.

"It is a combination of youth and experience," Singh said after the reshuffle. Change of guard

He also added that he "doesn't see" the possibility of an "early election" but admitted that "the road ahead is full of challenges".

The next general election is due in May 2014 - 18 months from now.

President Pranab Mukherjee is seen with Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and newly sworn-in ministers at Rashtrapati Bhavan. PTI