Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term began at Rashtrapati Bhavan with 71 ministers, 7 women, fewer than before. Notable absentees included Smriti Irani and Meenakshi Lekhi. Annapurna Devi from Jharkhand joined as Union Cabinet Minister. Nirmala Sitharaman retained her position as Finance Minister. Savitri Thakur and Nimuben Bambhaniya were appointed as Ministers of State.