A reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers with a few inductions is likely to take place later this week, an indication of this came after a meeting between PM Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil on Monday evening.

Though official sources described it as a routine meeting, indications were available that a reshuffle of the UPA ministry was possible later this week.

Sources said that the Prime Minister may utilise the opportunity to inject fresh blood.

Ministers like Sharad Pawar and Kapil Sibal are holding more than one portfolio and are likely to shed some of them.

There are some vacancies including that created by the resignation of A Raja, Prithviraj Chavan and Shashi Tharoor.

Pawar, who holds Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs Ministries, has earlier expressed his intention to shed some of his burden.

Similarly, Sibal has HRD, Telecom and Science and Technology, may shed Science and Technology.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had detailed deliberations with Singh more than twice in the last week, apparently to plan out the exercise, which would be the first after the UPA-II came to power in May 2009.

A reconstitution of the AICC Secretariat is also on the cards in which some ministers are expected to be drafted for party work.