With a 45 member strong cabinet, India's 15th Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes charge

Narendra Mod sworn in as India's 15th prime minister at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt, today.

An unprecedented 4,000 guests, including heads of the government of eight countries (of which seven are from SAARC), all 777 MPs of both Houses, the outgoing PM and his council of ministers, all governors, CMs, ambassadors and other constitutional authorities like the chief justice of India were present at the event.

LIVE UPDATES:

* Narendra Modi greets Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

PM Narendra Modi greets Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif after the #SwearingInCeremony pic.twitter.com/bgeG0MYetv

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

* Narendra Modi with his council of ministers

President Pranab Mukherjee, PM Narendra Modi with the Council of Ministers at President House forecourt pic.twitter.com/axu9hCX4d4

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

* Narendra Modi announces list of Cabinet Ministers with portfolios

* Vishnudev Sahai sworn in as minister

* Upendra Kushwaha,Kiren Rijiju take oath as Minister of State

* Dr.Jitender Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, GM Siddeswara take oaths 

* Sarbananda Sonowal, Piyush Goel, Prakash Javadekar takes oath

* VK Singh, Rao Inderjit Singh, Dharmendra Pradhan sworn in

* Anant Geete, Smriti Irani, Harshvardhan sworn in as minister

Delhi: Smriti Irani takes oath as a Minister #SwearingInCeremony pic.twitter.com/TJWX7RczIE

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

READ:
Smriti Irani: Here's what you need to know about her journey from reel to real
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* Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first message after taking over as the head of state

#India's new PM @narendramodi welcomes fellow Indians and citizens of the world to his new web site. http://t.co/ejllb3h0Mv

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) May 26, 2014

* Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ananth Kumar, Harsimrat Kaur takes oath

READ:
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Ananth Kumar, a man known for political adroitness
Harsimrat Kaur: Shiromani Akali Dal's face in Parliament

* Ramvilas Paswan, Gopinath Munde, Kalraj Mishra take oath

READ:
Ram Vilas Paswan: A prominent Dalit face of the Narendra Modi government

* Maneka Gandhi, Najma Heptullah sworn in minister

Delhi: Maneka Gandhi takes oath as a Minister #SwearingInCeremony pic.twitter.com/QHREmLD2pT

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

READ:
Maneka Gandhi: The sole Gandhi family member in the BJP government
Najma Heptullah, the lone Muslim face in Narendra Modi Cabinet

* DV Sadanand Gowda, Uma Bharati sworn in as minister

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Uma Bharti - A firebrand Hindutva mascot
Sadananda Gowda makes debut at the Centre

* Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari sworn in as the ministers

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Venkaiah Naidu: BJP's south Indian face gets a second stint in government

* Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley take oath as ministers

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Rajnath Singh's seamless journey from party President to Narendra Modi's cabinet 
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* Narendra Modi sworn in as the 15th prime minsiter

President Pranab Mukherjee greets PM Narendra Modi after the latter takes oath pic.twitter.com/nob7JO3o93

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

* President Pranab Mukherjee arrives

President Pranab Mukherjee arrives for the swearing-in ceremony pic.twitter.com/KsB7XELvyK

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

* ALSO READ: Top-level SPG security for Narendra Modi's wife Jashodaben threatens her rural anonymity

* Narendra Modi has now become Prime Minister from being the BJP's PM candidate and should act in that spirit, Congress said today extending him best wishes. Warmly congratulating the new Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters that from being BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, Modi has become Prime Minister of the country. "...that is the difference we note and we expect others to act in that spirit. We wish they will achieve public interest and national interest," he said.

* Narendra Modi arrives to be sworn in as the prime minister

* Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrives

* Sri Lanka President M. Rajapaksa at President House forecourt

* Narendra Modi's mother Hiraba is watching proceedings on TV from home

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai at President House to attend PM-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony pic.twitter.com/uLlJldRXDE

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

* Congress leaders Rahul, Sonia Gandhi arrive at Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony

Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi at President House forecourt to attend PM-designate Narendra Modi's oath ceremony pic.twitter.com/XjpgNRSuFu

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

* Rajnath Singh arrives

PM-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony : Rajnath Singh at President House pic.twitter.com/dIIW0Wt9x4

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

* LK Advani at President House to attend Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony

LK Advani at President House to attend Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony pic.twitter.com/lSu2IMVqCt

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

* P Chidambaram at Rashtrapati Bhawan forecourt to attend PM-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony

* TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu arrives

TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu at President House forecourt to attend PM-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony pic.twitter.com/BJNe4uxfwm

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

* Sushma Swaraj, Murli Manohar Joshi arrive

* Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani arrive

Delhi: Mukesh Ambani & Nita Ambani at President House forecourt to attend PM-designate Narendra Modi's oath ceremony pic.twitter.com/8zedvAZK4q

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

* Amit Shah and Ram Madhav at President House forecourt to attend PM-designate Narendra Modi's oath ceremony

* Shiv Sena leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray at President House forecourt to attend PM-designate Narendra Modi's oath ceremony

* NCP leaders Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel arrive at President House forecourt to attend PM-designate Narendra Modi's oath ceremony

* After crossing the 25,000-mark in early trade, the Sensex retreated to end with a marginal rise of 23.53 points at a fresh record close of 24,716.88 on Monday on massive profit-booking ahead of the swearing-in of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. Read more

*  Narendra Modi tweets his gratitude to Lata Mangeshkar 

Thank you Lata Didi. As always, your greetings and best wishes inspire me deeply pic.twitter.com/TRcMpoA3cg

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2014

* Pakistan handed over 150 Indian fishermen on Monday and another prisoner held for crossing the border to Indian authorities at the Wagah border in a goodwill gesture by Premier Nawaz Sharif, who is in India to attend the swearing in ceremony of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. Read more

A big thank you to all friends who will be viewing the ceremony on TV and through social media. Your constant support & blessings mean a lot

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2014

* ALSO READ: Rise of Narendra Modi marks a paradigm shift in Indian politics

* Hussain Sharif, the eldest son of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said there are huge expectations from India's Prime Minister-to-be, Narendra Modi back home, and hoped that India under Modi would live up to them. Read more

* A Ministry of External Affairs release has listed the schedule of all eight leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries who will have one-on-one meetings on Tuesday with Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi. Read more

All are here! 8 leaders invited for PM designate @narendramodi swearing-in ceremony are all now in #India. pic.twitter.com/LVp7C9GNdu

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) May 26, 2014

* I intend to pick up from where Vajpayee and I left off in 1999, says Nawaz Sharif to NDTV. "We should remove fears, mistrust and misgivings about each other. No two nations have ever possessed so much of cultural and traditional similarities as India and Pakistan," he added. Read more

Adding that he looks forward to meeting Modi, Sharif pointed out, "Both governments have a strong mandate. This could help in turning a new page in our relations"

* Day of rejoicing for those who believe in democracy, says Smriti Irani. "I assure that we shall fulfill each pledge that we made," she adds.

* President Yameen of Maldives arrives

Friend from across the Ocean! Prez Yameen of Maldives arrives for PM designate @ @narendramodi swearing-in ceremony. pic.twitter.com/HdqCSpGkiJ

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) May 26, 2014

* Dr. Manmohan Singh meets Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai

Delhi: Dr. Manmohan Singh meets Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai pic.twitter.com/k7R7ljYdlH

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

* I have come to attend the oath taking ceremony as a representative of the West Bengal government: TMC leader Amit Mitra

* MDMK Chief Vaiko detained while protesting against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to New Delhi for Narendra Modi's swearing-in

* Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel reaches Delhi for Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony 

Reached Delhi.. Looking forward to a glorious day in the nation's history.

— Anandiben Patel (@anandibenpatel) May 26, 2014

* Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said on Monday that Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is important as Sharif should be given a chance and both the countries need to try to find peace. Read more 

ALSO READ: Uddhav Thackeray to attend Narendra Modi swearing in, Anant Geete to be sole Sena minister 
ALSO WATCH: Here's what you can expect at Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony

* Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrives in Delhi

Abiding relationship! Prez Karzai of Afghanistan in Delhi for PM designate @narendramodi swearing-in ceremony. pic.twitter.com/wgZ6rWcgyS

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) May 26, 2014

* Prime Minister of Nepal, Sushil Koirala arrives in Delhi to attend Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony. Read more

* Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in India on Monday with a "message of peace" to attend the oath taking ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, becoming the first ever Pakistani leader to do so. Read more

* Pakistan wants good relations with India and I am going to New Delhi with a "message of peace", Prime Minister Sharif says.

Unprecedented! Pakistan's PM Nawaz Sharif arrives in India for PM designate @narendramodi swearing-in ceremony. pic.twitter.com/lJHZsYbwOb

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) May 26, 2014

* MDMK chief Vaiko, an NDA ally, held a demonstration in the national capital on Monday against the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony. Read more

* There are seven leaders from Maharashtra to have gotten a cabinet position, informs Gopinath Munde. "6 from the BJP and 1 from Shiv Sena," he said 

* All probable ministers met for tea with Narendra Modi, informs Chirag Paswan. "Our national president Ramvilas Paswan was also present," he added.

My best wishes to the newly elected Prime Minister @narendramodi and his cabinet. I shall continue to look after the party work.

— Rajiv Pratap Rudy (@RajivPratapRudy) May 26, 2014

* Sharad Pawar confirms that he will attend Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony

* Tamil superstar Rajnikanth, who had been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime minister-elect Narendra Modi in New Delhi, will not attend the function, sources close to the actor said. Read more

* 23 Cabinet Ministers, 10 Ministers of State to be sworn in today, NDTV reports.

* Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam arrived here today with a delegation to attend prime minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony. Read more  

A special friend arrives! PM of Mauritius arrives in India for PM designate @narendramodi swearing in ceremony pic.twitter.com/wSHPNcBh8E

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) May 26, 2014

* Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi, an official said.

ALSO READ: Anupam Kher, Javed Akhtar to attend Modi's swearing in ceremony

* Congress president Sonia Gandhi, party vice president Rahul Gandhi and outgoing PM Manmohan Singh have been invited for dinner with the heads of states, who are coming to attend Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

* The benchmark BSE Sensex regained the 25,000 mark by soaring 344 points in opening trade today on increased buying by foreign funds and retail investors ahead of swearing in of Narendra Modi as the 15th Prime Minister of India. Read more

* Madhya Pradesh's entire cabinet to attend Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

* Special prayers were held in Varanasi for Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Monday before his inauguration as the 15th prime minister of India. Read more

* BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Sushma Swaraj reached Gujarat Bhavan on Monday to meet Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi before his swearing-in. Read more

* Srilankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrives in Delhi to attend Modi's swearing in ceremony. His invitation to the ceremony came under heavy criticism amongst Tamil Nadu politicians. NDA's ally AIADMK and the MDMK leaders have spoken against the Narendra Modi government's decision to invite the Sri Lankan president.

A close neighbour is in town! @PresRajapaksa of SriLanka arrives for PM designate @narendramodi swearing in ceremony pic.twitter.com/No9HAsUv7H

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) May 26, 2014

MDMK chief Vaiko met even with Modi to try to change his mind about the invitation while the Congress leaders were one with the MDMK and the AIADMK opposing the invitation. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa may not attend the swearing in ceremony of Narendra Modi on Monday, as per reports. Read more

* Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will boycott the Prime Minister elect Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony on Monday. Read more

* Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam arrives in Delhi to attend Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony.

* Ahead of Cabinet formation, BJP leaders Uma Bharti, Gopinath Munde, Ananth Kumar, Nitin Gadkari, Prakash Javadekar, Harsh Vardhan, Piyush Goel and Venkaiah Naidu meet Modi at Gujarat Bhawan. LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan also meets the PM-designate. Reports suggest that General VK Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and Dharmendra Pardhan may get Cabinet berths. Read more

ALSO READ: Narendra Modi's cabinet: Sushma Swaraj to head Ministry of External Affairs, Rajnath Singh to be next home minister, Arun Jaitley gets Finance

* Ahead of the grand event, Modi visited Rajghat, to pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi's memorial. He had tweeted about his visit earlier:

Tomorrow, will begin the day by visiting Raj Ghat & paying my respects to Pujya Bapu.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 25, 2014

PM-Designate Narendra Modi pays homage at Rajghat pic.twitter.com/ubKz3AKK14

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 26, 2014

 

On my way to Atal ji's residence to seek his blessings.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2014

* 

8 leaders invited to PM designate @narendramodi swearing in ceremony listed in picture as per #India's Protocol pic.twitter.com/u8WgLmuGE7

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) May 25, 2014

Apart from Raisina Hill, the entire New Delhi district has been put on high alert and except for Jantar Mantar, no gathering will be allowed at any other area in the capital. A Tamil group on Sunday protested against the invitation sent to Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse at Jantar Mantar. The Delhi Police have also made special arrangements for the security of foreign delegates who will attend the swearing-in ceremony. "Security has been beefed up at the Taj Mansingh Hotel where Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif would be staying," said a police officer.

This will be the third time when the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt will be the venue for the PM's swearing-in ceremony. The previous instances were in 1990 when Chandrashekhar became PM after the fall of the VP Singh government and in 1998, when Atal Bhari Vajpayee was sworn in as PM of the BJP-led NDA government.

Omita Paul, secretary to the president, said the ceremony will start at 6pm and its duration would depend on the number of members in Modi's cabinet and the ministers of state being sworn in. Each minister will take 1.5-2 minutes to complete the swearing-in procedure. As part of the procedure, the PM and the ministers will have to take two sets of oath, shake hands with the president, go to the table, sit down and sign in the register before returning to the special seating enclosure made for them. 

Here is what Narendra Modi's big day will look like:

7:30 am: Narendra Modi will be at Rajghat

9:25 am: will be the arrival of the Prime Minister of Mauritius- Navin Ramgoolam

10:00 am: Is the expected landing of Sri Lanka's President, Mahinda Rajapaksa

10:45 am: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharaif will arrive

11:00 am: Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala will be flying in

11:30 am: Expected arrival of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai

2:00 pm: Maldives President Abdulla Yammeen's arrival

5:00 pm: Roads to Rashtrapati Bhavan scheduled to be closed

6:00 pm: The historic swearing-in of Narendra Modi as the 15th Prime Minister of India

8:30 pm: President Pranab Mukherjee to hold a 'private dinner' for SAARC leaders