Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday gave enough hints that there may be another expansion of his ministry after the Budget session and appointment of an external affairs minister, a charge he has retained for the present.

• 19 new ministers in Manmohan team

"In due course of time, we will have one," he said in reply to questions from reporters as to when a full-fledged external affairs minister will be appointed. He was talking to reporters after the swearing in ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"I am not overburdened," he said when asked whether he found the responsibility heavy after he took over the portfolio when K Natwar Singh had to resign in the wake of the Volcker controversy.

Asked about reports of another expansion and reshuffle, Dr Singh said, "There is always a possibility. One can never rule it out."

PMO sources said that there could be a minor expansion after the Budget session to fill in "some of the gaps".

On Sunday's exercise, Dr Singh said the aim was to have proper regional representation. "We want to ensure proper regional representation and giving importance to young and talented people," he said.