HT archives: The first cabinet of independent India comes into existence

When India got independence on August 15, 1947, the country also got a team of cabinet ministers. Hindustan Times’ Page 1 that day reported the event as ‘The New Cabinet’.

Fourteen ministers were inducted into the country’s cabinet. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru took additional charge of external affairs and scientific reseach. Here is the verbatim version of the story on India’s first cabinet ministes that appeared on the front page of Hindustan Times on August 15, 1947.

15 August 1947 - Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru addressing the midnight session of the Constituent Assembly of India.

THE NEW CABINET

The New Cabinet which will function from August 15, will consist of the following members. Their Portfolios are indicated opposite their names.

Jawaharlal Nehru: Prime Minister; External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations; Scientific Research.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: Home; Information and Broadcasting; States.

Dr Rajendra Prasad: Food and agriculture.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: Education.

Dr John Matthai: Railways and Transport.

Sardar baldev Singh: Defence.

Shri Jagjivan Ram: Labour.

Mr C.H. Bhabha: Commerce.

Mr Rafi Ahmad Kidwai: Communications.

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur: Health.

Dr B.R Ambedkar: Law.

Shri R.K. Shanmukham Chetty: Finance.

Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerji: Industries and Supplies.

Shri N. V. Gadgit: Works, Mines and Power.