There was a time when politics was considered the last resort for people who had nothing else to do. It was at best a hobby or secondary hangout for opportunists and power-hungry people looking for visibility, and prominence. Politicians were mostly illiterate and without a stable income. They were generally looked down upon and given a choice no one wanted to marry a politician. Even seasoned politicians did not want their sons and daughters to join politics.
Not anymore…Today many well-educated people are quitting their regular job, business, or profession to join politics. Prime Minister Modi’s cabinet today has many people who are highly qualified foreign university graduates, MBAs, IITians, civil servants, generals, doctors, engineers, lawyers, and corporate honchos. They have joined politics by choice and it is their full-time occupation.
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, Department of Space, Department of Atomic Energy & all other portfolios not allocated to any Minister
Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from School of Open Learning (SOL), University of Delhi 1978 and Master of Arts in political science from Gujarat University, 1983
Cabinet Ministers
Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Cooperation
BSc in Biochemistry from C U Shah Science College, Ahmedabad
Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence
M.Sc. (Physics) from Gorakhpur University, Uttar Pradesh. Worked as a lecturer of Physics at K.B. Post Graduate College Mirzapur, U.P.
Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
B Com from G.S. Commerce College, and LLB from University College of Law, Nagpur
Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance & Corporate Affairs
M.A. (Economics) from Seethalakshmi Ramaswamy College, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu and M.Phil from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Narendra Singh Tomar, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Graduate from Jiwaji University, Gwalior (M.P.)
Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs
Graduate from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi he did his B.Sc., M.A. (Political Science) from the University of Delhi, followed by M.Phil., PhD (International Relations) from Jawaharlal Nehru University
He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1977 and served in different capacities as Ambassador to the United States (2013-15), China (2009-2013), Czech Republic (2000-2004) and High Commissioner to Singapore (2007-2009). He also handled a number of assignments in the Indian Embassies in Moscow, Colombo, Budapest and Tokyo, as well in the Ministry of External Affairs and President’s Secretariat while serving as a career diplomat over a period of 38 years. He was Foreign Secretary from 2015-18.
Arjun Munda, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
He graduated from Ranchi University and went on to earn a PG Diploma in Social Sciences from Indira Gandhi National Open University.
Smriti Zubin Irani, Ministry of Women and Child Development
A product of Holy Child Auxilium School, Delhi, she enrolled in the School of Open Learning at the University of Delhi she appeared B.Com first-year exams in 2019, but somehow couldn’t complete the three-year degree course.
Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
B.Com., LL.B., F.C.A. from Don Bosco High School, Mumbai, Jai Hind College, Mumbai, H.R. College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai, Government Law College, Mumbai and Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, New Delhi
A well-known Chartered Accountant, lawyer and investment banker by profession he secured the second all-India rank holder at Mumbai University. He has also advised top corporations on management strategy and served on the Board of State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda.
Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
MA in Anthropology from Talcher College, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Coal, & Ministry of Mines
B.A. from K.S. Arts College, Karnatak University, Dharwad (Karnataka)
Narayan Tatu Rane, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
S.S.C. (11th Std. drop out) from Pune Divisional Board
Sarbanada Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Ministry of AYUSH
First BJP Chief Minister of Assam (2016-2021), and member of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, he did B.A. (Hons) in English and LLB from Dibrugarh University and a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Gauhati University.
Dr Virendra Kumar, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
MA (Economics) and PhD in Child Labour from Dr Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
Giriraj Singh, Ministry of Rural Development & Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Graduate from Magadh University – the largest university in Bihar
Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Ministry of Civil Aviation
BA in Economics from Harvard University and MBA from Graduate School of Business, Stanford University
Ashwini Vaishnav, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
MBA from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania USA and gold medallist in electronics and communications engineering from MBM Engineering College (JNVU) Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He did his MTech from IIT Kanpur before joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Odisha cadre 1994 batch (all-India rank -27) before serving as the District Collector of Balasore and Cuttack districts. He was later appointed as deputy secretary in the Prime Minister office (PMO) and appointed as Vajpayee’s private secretary.
Pashupati Kumar Paras, Ministry of Food Processing Industries
B.A. Pol. Sc. (Hons), and B.Ed from Koshi College, Khagaria, and Teacher Training from Maha Vidhayalaya, Bhagalpur, Bihar
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Jal Shakti
M.A. (Philosophy) and M.Phil (Philosophy) from Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Kiren Rijiju, Ministry of Law and Justice
BA from Hansraj College, Delhi and LLB from Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi
Raj Kumar Singh, Ministry of Power & Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
B.A. (Hons.) in English Literature from St. Stephen s College, Delhi, LL.B. from Magadh University, and Diploma in Management from RVB Delft, Netherlands
He joined the Indian Administrative Service, 1975 batch Bihar cadre, and went on to be the Home Secretary of India. In course of his administrative career he served as District Magistrate, East Champaran (1981 – 1983); Patna (1983-1985); Director and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence (1991 – 1996); Home Secretary, Govt. of Bihar (1997 – 1999); and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India (2000 – 2005)
Hardeep Singh Puri, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
An alumnus of Frank Anthony Public School, Delhi, he did his BA and MA in History from Hindu College, University of Delhi before joining St. Stephen’s College as a lecturer of History.
He joined the Indian Foreign Service 1974 batch and served as the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013. He also served as Joint secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Defence. He also served as Ambassador of India in Brazil. He also served in various capacities in Japan, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom before taking over as Secretary to the Government of India (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & Ministry of Chemical Fertilizers
MA (Political Science) from Gujarat Institute of Development and Research, Ahmedabad and PhD (Political Science), from Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University (MKBU), Gujarat
Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change & Ministry of Labour and Employment
BA, LLB from Government College, Ajmer
Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Ministry of Heavy Industries
M.A., Master of Journalism, and PhD (Hindi) from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Parshottam Rupala, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
B.Sc., B.Ed. from Saurashtra University, Rajkot and Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
G. Kishan Reddy, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism & Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
Diploma in Tool Engineering from the Central Institute of Tool Engineering, Balanagar, Hyderabad
Anurag Singh Thakur, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting & Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
He did his B.A. degree from Doaba College, Jalandhar, Punjab. He is the first serving MP to be commissioned as an officer in the Territorial Army and the son of Prem Kumar Dhumal a former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh
Ministers of State (Independent Charge)
Rao Inderjit Singh, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Ministry of Planning & Ministry of Corporate Affairs
B.A. (Hons.); LL.B. from Hindu College, Law Faculty, Delhi University and ISC, Lawrence School, Sanawar (HP)
Dr Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space
M.B.B.S., M.D. (Medicine), Fellowship (Diabetes) MNAMS (Diabetes and Endocrinology), Honorary PhD from Stanley Medical College, Chennai, AIIMS, New Delhi, Government Medical College, Jammu and Amity University, Noida.
He was a professor of diabetes and endocrinology at the Government Medical College, Jammu before plunging into active politics. He has authored about eight books and used to be a columnist for Kashmir Times and Daily Excelsior. He is the ex-chairman of the National Scientific Committee and the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India.
Ministers of State
Shripad Yesso Naik, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Ministry of Tourism
Bachelor of Arts from Bombay University, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Faggansingh Kulaste, Ministry of Steel & Ministry of Rural Development
M.A., B.Ed. and LL.B. from Mandla College, Dr Hari Singh Gaur University, Sagar and Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh)
Prahalad Singh Patel, Ministry of Jal Shakti & Ministry of Food Processing Industries
B.Sc., LL.B., M.A. (Philosophy) from Adarsh Vigyan Mahavidyalaya and U.T.D. Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
BSc (Hons.) Zoology from Science College, Patna University, Bihar
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs & Ministry of Culture
M.A. (Pol. Science), LL.B., and M.B.A from Sri Dungar College, Bikaner and the University of Philippines, Philippines. He also served in various capacities as an IAS officer in Rajasthan State Services
Gen V. K. Singh, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways & Ministry of Civil Aviation
Ph.D., PG Diploma (Training and Development of HR); and Master of Strategic Studies from Barkatulla University, Bhopal; ISTD, New Delhi; Army War College, Mhow and Army War College, USA.
He was the 24th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) from 2010 to 2012
Krishan Pal, Ministry of Power & Ministry of Heavy Industries
B.A. from Govt. College, M.D. University, Rohtak and LL.B. from M.M.H. College, (Chaudhary Charan Singh University), Uttar Pradesh
Raosaheb Dadarao Danve, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Coal & Ministry of Mines
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Jalna Education Society (JES) College, Jalna, Maharashtra
Ramdas Athawale, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Under Graduate from Siddharth College, Mumbai
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & Ministry of Rural Development
Intermediate from Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Board, Allahabad
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
BVSc & Animal Husbandry, M V Sc in Veterinary Sciences, and Ph.D. in Veterinary Anatomy from Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar
Nityanand Rai, Ministry of Home Affairs
B.A. (Hons.) from Raj Narayan College, Hajipur, Bihar
Pankaj Choudhary, Ministry of Finance
BA from Gorakhpur University (Uttar Pradesh)
Anupriya Singh Patel, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
MBA from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, and M.A. in Psychology from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi.
Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Ministry of Law and Justice
Doctoral degree in military science from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Agra, he also holds M.Sc. (Military Science), M.A. (History) from Maharaja Jiyaji Rao University, Gwalior and LLB degree from Meerut University. Prior to joining politics he was Associate Professor, Defence Studies, at Agra College
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship & Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Masters in computer science from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, USA; advanced management course from Harvard University, and BE in electrical engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology.
Shobha Karandlaje, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
M.A. in Sociology from Open University, Mysore and Master of Social Work from Mangalore University.
Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
M.A., LL.B. from B.K.D. College, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh)
Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Ministry of Textiles & Ministry of Railways
Bachelor of Commerce (Economics & Banking) from Sir K.P. College of Commerce, Surat and Certificate Course in Computers from NIIT
V. Muraleedharan, Ministry of External Affairs & Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
Graduate in English Language and Literature from Government Brennen College, Thalassery, Kerala
Meenakshi Lekhi, Ministry of External Affairs & Ministry of Culture
BSc (Hons) from Hindu College and LLB from Campus Law Centre – I, Delhi University
Som Parkash, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
MA (Economics) from Punjab University, Chandigarh. A former IAS officer of 1988 batch in Punjab cadre served as the deputy commissioner of Faridkot, Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar and also held posts like Labour Commissioner, chief administrator of Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA), Managing director of the Punjab Financial Corporation and Director of the Social Security Department.
Renuka Singh Saruta, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Higher Secondary
Rameswar Teli, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Ministry of Labour and Employment
Higher Secondary
Kailash Choudhary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
B.A., Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P. Ed.) from Nagpur University, Maharashtra
Annapurna Devi, Ministry of Education
Masters of art (M.A.) from Ranchi University, Jharkhand
A. Narayanaswamy, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
BA from Government Arts College, Bangalore
Kaushal Kishore, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Inter/Higher Secondary from Kalicharan Inter College, Lucknow
Ajay Bhatt, Ministry of Defence & Ministry of Tourism
BA from Kumaun University, Nainital and LLB from Constituent College, Almora
B. L. Verma, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region & Ministry of Cooperation
MA from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi.
Ajay Kumar, Ministry of Home Affairs
Bachelor of Science from Christ Church College, Kanpur and Bachelor of Law degree from D.A.V. College (Kanpur University)
Devusinh Chauhan, Ministry of Communications
Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Govt. Polytechnic, Porbandar (Gujarat).
Bhagwanth Khuba, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy & Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur (Karnataka)
Kapil Moreshwar Patil, Ministry of Panchayati Raj
BA from B.N.N. College, Bhiwandi, Thane
Pratima Bhoumik, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
BSc in bio-science from Women College, University of Tripura
Dr Subhas Sarkar, Ministry of Education
B.Sc. (Hons), MBBS Certificate Courses in Ultrasonography, Infertility and Laparoscopy from Bankura Christian College, University of Burdwan and B.S. Medical College, Calcutta University. He is a gynaecologist by profession and a board member of AIIMS Kalyani.
Dr Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, Ministry of Finance
M.B.B.S., M.S. (Gen. Surgery), M.Ch. (Pediatric Surgery), F.C.P.S. (Gen. Surgery) from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Mumbai, and affiliated with the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mumbai. He was a promising medical practitioner (Surgeon) before joining politics.
Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Ministry of External Affairs & Ministry of Education
MA (Geography), PhD on ‘problems of land-use from Manipur. He was an assistant professor in the Department of Earth Sciences, Manipur University, before being appointed registrar of the university from 2004 to 2008.
Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
M.B.B.S. (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery) from N.D.M.V.P s Medical College, Pune University, Nashik
Bishweswar Tudu, Ministry of Tribal Affairs & Ministry of Jal Shakti
Diploma in Electronics Engineering from Utkalmani Gopabandhu Institute of Engineering (UGIE) Rourkela, Orissa
Shantanu Thakur, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
BA (Hons) from Karnataka Open University and Advance PG Diploma in Hospitality Management from Victoria University, Sydney, Australia
Dr. Mahendrabhai Munjapara, Ministry of Women and Child Development & Ministry of AYUSH
MBBS, MD in General Medicine and Therapeutics from Gujarat University. He was a well-known Cardiologist and Professor of Medicine before plunging into active politics.
John Barla, Ministry of Minority Affairs
High School (9th pass)
Dr L. Murugan, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting & Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
P.G. Diploma in I.P.R., LL.B., LL.M. (International Law), Ph.D. (in law) from University of Madras, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
Nisith Pramanik, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Bachelor of Computer Applications (B.C.A.) from Balakura Junior Basic School. He is the youngest minister in the Modi cabinet.
