L Murugan stepped down from the Union Council of Ministers on Tuesday, announcing his decision in a brief statement that he wanted to "return to the grassroots."
He served as the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs since 2022, handling media policy and parliamentary affairs for the central government.
Murugan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity to serve and said his departure was a personal choice to engage more directly with local communities.
The vacancy will trigger a cabinet reshuffle, and officials have said a new minister will be appointed within the next week.