The Union Council of Ministers is to be reshuffled today with the induction of several new faces. The President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee will administer the oath of office and secreacy to the new ministers at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 11.30 am.

The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress President Mrs Sonia Gandhi held consultations last night giving final touches to the reshuffle exercise.

All India Radio will broadcast live the swearing-in ceremony from Rashtrapati Bhawan which can be heard on Rajdhani Channel and additional frequencies from 11.25 A.M. onwards.

Ahead of the Cabinet reshuffle, the President accepted resignations of seven ministers, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, Social Justice Minister Mukul Wasnik, Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Mahadev Singh Khandela, Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma, Minister of State for Water Resources and Minority Affairs Vincent Pala.

They had submitted their resignations to the Prime Minister paving the way for the youth of the country to take charge. A Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said, the President has accepted the resignations of the ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said he has stepped down to pave the way for inclusion of youngsters in the Council of Ministers. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said, she will be able to devote more time for party work.