George Kurian steps down as Union Minister, President Murmu accepts resignation

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jun 23, 2026: Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader George Kurian resigned as Union Minister of State (MoS) for Minority Affairs and Fisheries on Tuesday after the completion of his six-year term in the Rajya Sabha.

Announcing the development, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said the resignation had been accepted with immediate effect.

“The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Shri George Kurian from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution," the statement said.

Who is George Kurian?

Kurian, 65, had been serving as Minister of State in the third Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since August 2024.

His resignation followed the expiry of his Rajya Sabha tenure, making him ineligible to continue in the ministerial post. As per some media reports, he was not renominated to the Upper House, reportedly due to the BJP’s poor performance in the Kerala Assembly elections.

Kurian’s long association with BJP

A senior BJP leader, Kurian has been associated with the party since its formation in 1980. Apart from his political career, he has also practised as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India.

Before joining the Union Council of Ministers, he held several positions in public life. He served as Vice-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities and was also Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to former Union Minister of State for Railways O Rajagopal.

Education and political career

According to the Minority Affairs Ministry website, Kurian was born on September 20, 1960, in Nambiakulam under Ettumanoor Municipality in Kerala’s Kottayam district.

He completed his schooling in his hometown before pursuing graduation and post-graduation in Law.

Kurian was sworn in as Union Minister of State on June 9, 2024. Two days later, on June 11, he assumed charge in the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

His exit from the Union Council of Ministers marks the end of his ministerial tenure that began shortly after the formation of the Modi government’s third term.