The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar at 10:30 am on October 27, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is expected to administer the oath of office and secrecy to the incoming ministers.

The proposed exercise would mark the first major Cabinet reshuffle since the Omar Abdullah-led government assumed office in October 2024. Besides fresh inductions, changes in the existing ministerial composition and redistribution of important portfolios are also under consideration.

Sources indicated that three incumbent ministers, Javid Ahmad Dar, Javed Ahmed Rana and Satish Sharma, could be dropped from the Council of Ministers. However, no official announcement has been made regarding the proposed exits or the final list of incoming ministers.

Ali Mohammad Sagar, a senior National Conference leader with extensive experience in government, is among the names being discussed for a Cabinet berth. Arjun Singh Raju, the party's MLA from Ramban, is also being considered, potentially strengthening representation from the Jammu region.

The proposed reshuffle may also bring changes to the leadership of the Legislative Assembly. National Conference veteran Mubarak Gul is reportedly being considered for the Speaker's post, while incumbent Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather could be inducted into the Cabinet and assigned the Finance portfolio.

Such a move would require a change in the Assembly's speakership. However, the possible appointments and portfolio changes remain unconfirmed.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo are likely to retain their positions, according to sources. The distribution of departments among other Cabinet members may be reviewed as part of the exercise.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier said that the list of ministers had been finalised in consultation with National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah. He had also asked party colleagues seeking ministerial positions to refrain from making repeated requests, indicating that the decision-making process had been completed.

The reshuffle comes amid discussions over accommodating senior legislators and maintaining regional balance in the government.

Under the applicable framework, Jammu and Kashmir's 90-member Legislative Assembly can have a Council of Ministers comprising a maximum of nine members, including the Chief Minister.

The final list of ministers and any changes involving the Assembly Speaker or the Finance portfolio are awaited ahead of Tuesday's scheduled ceremony.