Young faces in key places

The eagerly anticipated reshuffle of the union council of ministers brought in young faces in key positions and rewarded loyalty, but could be found deficient in negotiating a balancing act in regional representation. HT reports.Cabinet goes for a makeover | VOTE: Are you impressed with Manmohan's cabinet after reshuffle? | Change of guard

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

Union-ministers-Salman-Khurshid-L-and-Jyotiraditya-Scindia-during-the-swearing-in-ceremony-at-Rashtrapati-Bhavan-New-Delhi-PTI-Photo

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.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 80, is the oldest member of the council, while Pilot, 35, is the youngest minister.

"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.

Gandhi, however, denied having influenced the reshuffle: "I don't decide these things."

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

A combination picture of various ministers who were sworn-in on Sunday.