Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ministry: Keralam establishes India's first dedicated AI portfolio

Key facts

• The Keralam government has created a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) portfolio at the cabinet level for the first time as part of a major ministerial reshuffle.
• Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader PK Kunhalikutty has been assigned the AI department, along with Industries and Commerce, Information Technology (IT), start-ups, mining, and handlooms.
• Chief Minister (CM) VD Satheesan retains several key departments, including Finance, Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC), Ports, Law, Pollution Control, Airports, Metro Rail, and Railways.
• Ramesh Chennithala has been given charge of the Home department, Vigilance, Fire and Rescue Services, Prisons, and Coir, while PC Vishnunadh handles Tourism and Culture.
• M Liju is assigned Co-operation and Excise, while Roji M John handles Collegiate Education, Technical Education, Universities, National Cadet Corps (NCC), and Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP).
• T Siddique oversees Agriculture and allied sectors, while K A Thulasi handles social welfare portfolios including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes development.
• Bindhu Krishna manages Labour, Animal Husbandry, and Women and Child Development, while O J Janeesh handles Sports and Youth Affairs.
• N Samsudheen is assigned General Education and Minority Welfare; K M Shaji handles Panchayat and Rural Development; and P K Basheer handles the Public Works Department (PWD).
• VE Abdul Gafoor handles Fisheries; Mons Joseph oversees Irrigation; Anoop Jacob handles Food and Civil Supplies; and Shibu Baby John is assigned Forests and Wildlife Protection.
• C P John handles Road Transport; K Muraleedharan oversees Health and Medical Education; and Sunny Joseph handles Electricity and the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT).
• AP Anilkumar oversees Land Revenue and Reforms, while Advocate T Asaf Ali and Advocate Jaju Babu have been appointed as Director General of Prosecution and Advocate General respectively.
• The United Democratic Front (UDF) government officially assumed power in Keralam on May 18, 2026, ending ten years of Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule.