DK Shivakumar took the oath of office as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka on June 3, 2026 [1].
The transition marks a significant shift in state leadership following the Congress party's victory and the internal selection process used to appoint Shivakumar to form the new government [5].
The swearing-in ceremony took place at 4 p.m. [2] at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru [3]. Security was tightened across the city ahead of the event, and supporters placed cutouts of the new leader throughout the capital to mark the occasion.
Shivakumar is leading a first cabinet consisting of 14 ministers [4]. The composition of the leadership team remained a point of anticipation until the day of the ceremony. Shivakumar said, "The final list of ministers would be sent by the party high command by 10 am on Wednesday or later in the afternoon" [6].
This appointment follows a period of internal party deliberation to ensure a stable administration for the state. The ceremony at Lok Bhavan served as the formal commencement of the new government's term, establishing the executive authority of the Congress party in the region [5].
“DK Shivakumar took the oath of office as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka on June 3, 2026”
The appointment of DK Shivakumar as Chief Minister consolidates the Congress party's control over Karnataka's executive branch. By appointing a specific first cabinet of 14 ministers, the party high command is balancing internal power dynamics to ensure legislative stability while initiating a new administrative agenda for the state.
