Its main function was to oversee police force, transmigration, and agrarian matters.

Its function was expanded to oversee religious, social, health, education, pedagogic, and cultural matters.

Due to changes of political situation and the constitution, the department was renamed several times.

The home affairs minister officially inaugurates elected provincial governors on behalf of the president.

[5][6] If both the president and the vice president are unable to carry out their duties, Article 8 of the Constitution states that they are replaced by a three-person team comprising the minister of foreign affairs, minister of home affairs and minister of defence pending the selection of a president and vice-president by the People's Consultative Assembly within thirty days.