Compiling a comprehensive report on the influential figures of a diverse country like India can be challenging. However, these political personalities have made a significant impact that extends beyond their original roles and positions.
Authority is often defined by those who hold it. In India, the top politicians on our list have gained prominence through their impactful decisions, though their strength comes from more than just their roles. For example, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known for his blend of quietness and strategic secrecy, adding a unique touch to his leadership. His approach includes a focus on surgical strikes and economic reforms. His key allies, BJP President Amit Shah and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat are reshaping India’s democratic process as Modi works towards his vision of a “New India” and revitalizes public debate. Meanwhile, ministers Arun Jaitley and Nitin Gadkari play crucial roles in supporting economic growth, foreign investment, and infrastructure development, all contributing to Modi’s agenda for sustainable development.
Chief Ministers like Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee, who oppose Modi’s policies, represent a different political perspective. Recently, two unconventional leaders have shaken up the political scene: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and imprisoned AIADMK Chief Shashikala, who have moved from the political fringes to the center stage. Rahul Gandhi, often seen as the opposition’s underdog, is still working to establish his role in the current political landscape. He has opportunities to learn from prominent figures like Narendra Modi, Mohan Bhagwat, Mamata Banerjee, and Yogi Adityanath, who influence today’s politics.
1. Narendra Modi

Narendra Damodardas Modi, born September 17, 1950, is an Indian politician who has served as the 14th Prime Minister of India since 2014. Before becoming Prime Minister, Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 and has also served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Varanasi. He is the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is associated with the Hindu nationalist organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Modi grew up in Vadnagar, Gujarat, and helped his father sell tea as a child before running his tea shop. At age 8, he joined the RSS, beginning a long association with the organization. After high school, Modi left home and traveled across India for two years. He became a full-time RSS worker in 1971 and was later introduced to the BJP in 1985.
Modi was appointed as Gujarat’s Chief Minister in 2001, following Keshubhai Patel’s resignation due to health issues and criticism over the Bhuj earthquake. His tenure as Chief Minister was marked by controversy, particularly regarding the 2002 Gujarat riots, but a Supreme Court investigation did not find grounds for prosecution against him. His administration was praised for economic development and for improving the state’s health, education, and employment.
In the 2014 general elections, Modi led the BJP to a historic victory, securing a significant majority in the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of Parliament. As Prime Minister, he focused on boosting foreign direct investment (FDI), reducing government spending on healthcare and welfare, and streamlining bureaucracy by dismantling the Planning Commission.
Modi launched major initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission for sanitation, a controversial ban on large currency notes, and repealing certain environmental regulations. In 2019, his government revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which led to widespread protests. Modi’s leadership has sparked both domestic and international debate, particularly regarding his Hindu nationalist views and his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Personal Information
Full Name | Narendra damodar das modi |
Born | 17 September 1950 (70 Year) |
Spouse | Jasodaben Modi (Married in 1968) |
Father Name | Damodardas Mulchand Modi (1915-1989) |
Mother Name | Hiraben Modi (born in 1920) |
Birth Place | Vadnagar, Mehsana, Gujrat |
Political Party | Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) |
Political Affiliations | National democratic alliance |
Qualification | BA (Delhi University) MA (University of Gujrat) |
Residence | 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, Delhi |
Net worth | 2.80 crore |
Awards and Honors | Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia on 3 April 2016)Order of Zayed (United States Emirates on 4 April 2019)Grand Collar of the State of Palestine (Palestine on 10 February 2018)State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan (Afghanistan on 4 June 2016)Order of St. Andrew (Russia on 12 April 2019)Order of Distinguished rule of Izzuddin (Maldives on 8 June 2019)King Hamad order of the Renaissance (Bahrain on 24 August 2019) |
2. Amit Shah

Amit Anil Chandra Shah, born on October 22, 1964, is an Indian politician and venture capitalist currently serving as the Minister of Home Affairs. He was the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from 2014 to 2020. In the 2019 Indian national elections, Shah was elected to the Lok Sabha from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, after serving as a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat starting in 2017.
At 54, Shah became the youngest Home Minister in India’s history. He is a key advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and played a major role in the BJP’s campaign strategy.
During his college years, Shah began his political career with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) student wing. He joined the BJP in 1987 and was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Gujarat in 1997, representing Ahmedabad-Sarkhej. He won re-election in 1998, 2002, and 2007 and later represented Naranpura starting in 2012.
In the 2014 General Elections, Shah led the BJP’s campaign in Uttar Pradesh, where the party won 73 out of 80 seats. His success helped him gain national prominence, and he was appointed BJP President in July 2014.
Under his leadership, the BJP achieved significant victories in state elections, including in Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Assam. The party performed well in subsequent elections in Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Manipur. Although the BJP faced setbacks in Punjab, it regained control in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh in 2018. In the 2019 national elections, Shah’s leadership helped the BJP secure 303 seats, leading to a decisive victory.
Personal Information
Full Name | Amit Anilchandra Shah |
Born | 22 October 1964 (56 Year) |
Spouse | Sonal Shah (Married in 1987) |
Father Name | Anil Chandra Shah |
Mother Name | Kusumben Shah |
Birth Place | Mumbai |
Political Party | Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) |
Qualification | BSc (Gujrat University) |
Residence | 6A, Krishna Menon Marg, Delhi |
Net worth | 39 Crore |
3. Mohan Bhagwat

Mohan Bhagwat, born on September 11, 1950, is the Chief (Sarsanghchalak) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a major Hindu nationalist organization in India. He took over the position from K.S. Sudarshan in March 2009. Bhagwat was born in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, into a Marathi family with a strong RSS background. His father, Madhukar Rao Bhagwat, and his mother, Malati Bhagwat, were involved with the RSS.
Bhagwat completed his early education at Lokmanya Tilak Vidyalaya and Janata College in Chandrapur and later graduated from Government Veterinary College, Nagpur, with a degree in veterinary science. He initially pursued a career in veterinary sciences but left it in 1976 to become a full-time RSS worker (pracharak).
He began his work with the RSS in Akola, Maharashtra, and rose through the ranks, becoming responsible for the Nagpur and Vidarbha regions. Bhagwat served as the head of RSS’s physical training division from 1991 to 1999 and later as the head of RSS volunteers. In 2000, after Rajendra Singh and H.V. Sheshadri resigned due to health issues, Bhagwat was appointed the RSS’s General Secretary (Sarkaryavah).
In March 2009, Bhagwat became the RSS’s Sarsanghchalak or Chief Executive. He is one of the younger leaders to lead the organization, following in M.S. Golwalkar’s and K.B. Hedgewar’s footsteps.
Under his leadership, Bhagwat has been the target of high-security measures due to threats from extremist groups. In June 2015, the Indian government provided him with Z+VVIP security.
In 2017, Bhagwat became the first RSS leader to be formally received by the President of India at the Raj Bhavan. In September 2018, he chaired a conference in Delhi, stating that the RSS had moved away from some of M.S. Golwalkar’s outdated views.
In November 2016, during a speech for the RSS’s female division, Bhagwat discussed human evolution and future species. He also made controversial statements about Hinduism, claiming it was the only true culture and suggesting other religions stemmed from it.
In 2020, Bhagwat supported the Ram Janmabhoomi verdict and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) during a Dussehra speech, criticizing those who opposed these measures and their impact on community harmony. This led to responses from political figures such as Asaduddin Owaisi.
Personal Information
Full Name | Mohan Madhukar Bhagwat |
Born | 11 September 1950 (70 Year) |
Spouse | Unmarried |
Father Name | Madhukar Rao Bhagwat |
Mother Name | Malati |
Birth Place | Chandrapur, Bombay |
Organization | B.Sc (In Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry) |
Qualification | 10196, DB Gupta road, Keshav Kunj, Jhandewalan, Delhi |
Residence | Doctor of Science (DSc) |
Net worth | 10196, DB Gupta Road, Keshav Kunj, Jhandewalan, Delhi |
Awards and Honors | Doctor of science (DSc) |
4. Rajnath Singh

Rajnath Singh, born on July 10, 1951, is an Indian politician currently serving as the Defense Minister of India. He has a significant role in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), having been its President twice, from 2005 to 2009 and from 2013 to 2014. Singh was also the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and served as the Minister of Home Affairs during the first Modi government.
Singh began his career with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization, and has been a prominent figure in Indian politics ever since. He started as a swayamsevak (volunteer) in the RSS and later became involved with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the RSS’s student wing.
Born in Bhabhaura, Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh, to a farming family, Singh completed his early education locally and earned a master’s degree in physics from the University of Gorakhpur. Before entering politics, he worked as a physics professor at K.B. Mirzapur PG College. Singh was deeply influenced by the RSS’s ideology from a young age.
In 1974, he joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the BJP, and became actively involved in politics. He held various positions within the party, including the Regional Chief of the Jana Sangh and later the BJP. Singh’s political career includes serving as the Minister of National Education, where he was known for introducing significant educational reforms.
He was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Lucknow and later represented Ghaziabad. Singh also served as the MLA from Haidergarh in Uttar Pradesh. His leadership and contributions to the BJP have shaped the party’s policies and success in Indian politics.
Personal Information
Full Name | Rajnath Singh |
Born | 10 July 1951 (69 Year) |
Spouse | Savitri Singh |
Father Name | Ram Badan Singh |
Mother Name | 17, Akbar Road, Delhi |
Birth Place | Bhabhaura, Chakia Tehsil, Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh |
Political Party | Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) |
Political Affiliations | Bharatiya Jana Sangh (Before 1977) |
Qualification | M.Sc. in Physics (Gorakhpur University) |
Residence | 17, Akbar road, Delhi |
Children | 3 (Pankaj Sigh, Neeraj Singh, Anamika Singh) |
Nationality | Indian |
5. Yogi Adityanath

Yogi Adityanath, originally named Ajay Mohan Bisht, was born on June 5, 1972. He is an Indian Hindu monk and politician who has served as the 22nd Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh since March 19, 2017.
He was appointed Chief Minister on March 26, 2017, following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in the 2017 Assembly elections, where he played a prominent role. Since 1998, he has been elected five consecutive times as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Gorakhpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
Yogi Adityanath is also the head priest, or Mahant, of the Gorakhnath Math, a temple in Gorakhpur. He assumed this position in September 2014 after the passing of his spiritual mentor, Mahant Avaidyanath. In addition, he founded the Hindu Yuva Vahini, a youth organization with a strong Hindu nationalist stance. Known for his outspoken views, he is often regarded as a Hindu nationalist.
Born in the small village of Panchur in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh), Yogi Adityanath was the second of four brothers and three sisters. His father, Anand Singh Bisht, was a forest ranger. Yogi Adityanath completed his bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University in Uttarakhand. After becoming a disciple of the Nath sect and taking monastic vows, he was given the name Yogi Adityanath and became the successor to Mahant Avaidyanath. Despite being based in Gorakhpur, Adityanath has remained connected to his home village, where he established a school in 1998.
Personal Information
Full Name | Yogi Adityanath (Ajay Mohan Bisht) |
Born | 5 June 1972 (48 Year) |
Father Name | Anand Singh Bisht |
Mother Name | Savitri Devi |
Birth Place | Panchur, Pauri Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh (Now in Uttarakhand) |
Political Party | Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) |
Qualification | BSc (HNB Garhwal University) |
Residence | 5, Kali das Marg, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) |
Net worth | 70 Lakh |
Occupation | Politician |
Books by Yogi Adityanath | Hathayoga Swarupa evam Sadhna (2007)Rajayoga Swarupa evam Sadhna |
6. Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi, born on June 19, 1970, is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Wayanad constituency in Kerala. He is a member of the Indian National Congress (INC) and served as the party president from December 16, 2017, to July 3, 2019. He also leads the Indian Youth Congress and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). Additionally, he is involved with the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust.
Rahul Gandhi was born in New Delhi and spent much of his childhood in Delhi and Dehradun, staying out of the public eye for safety reasons. He received his early education in these cities but was later homeschooled. He began his undergraduate studies at St. Stephen’s College in Delhi. Still, he transferred to Rollins College in Florida after the assassination of his father, Rajiv Gandhi, who was a former Prime Minister of India. Rahul graduated from Rollins College in 1994 and earned an M.Phil. from Cambridge University in 1995. He started his career at a strategy consulting firm in London and later returned to India to establish a software company in Mumbai.
In 2004, Rahul Gandhi entered politics, winning the parliamentary seat from Amethi, a constituency previously held by his father. He was re-elected in 2009 and 2014. In 2013, he was appointed Vice-President of the Congress Party. However, under his leadership, the party faced its worst electoral defeat in the 2014 general elections, securing only 44 seats, down from 206 in 2009.
Rahul Gandhi is the son of Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, and Sonia Gandhi, the current President of the Indian National Congress. His grandmother, Indira Gandhi, and great-grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, also served as Prime Ministers of India. His sister is Priyanka Vadra, and his brother-in-law is Robert Vadra.
Rahul Gandhi began his education at St. Columba’s School in Delhi and later attended The Doon School in Dehradun from 1981 to 1983. Due to security concerns following the assassination of his grandmother, Indira Gandhi, he and his sister Priyanka were homeschooled. Rahul enrolled in St. Stephen’s College in Delhi in 1989 but transferred to Harvard University after his first year. Following his father’s assassination in 1991, he moved to Rollins College in Florida, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts in 1994. At Rollins, he used the alias “Raul Vinci” for security reasons. He then pursued an M.Phil. from Trinity College, Cambridge, which he completed in 1995.
In March 2004, Rahul Gandhi announced his political entry, contesting the Lok Sabha elections for the Amethi constituency, previously held by his father. His mother, Sonia Gandhi, had moved to the neighboring constituency of Rae Bareli. At the time, the Congress Party struggled in Uttar Pradesh, holding only 10 of the state’s 80 Lok Sabha seats.
Personal Information
Full Name | Rahul Gandhi |
Born | 19 June 1970 (40 Year) |
Father Name | Rajiv Gandhi (20 August 1944 – 21 May 1991) |
Mother Name | Sonia Gandhi (born in 1946) |
Birth Place | New Delhi, India |
Political Party | Indian National Congress (INC) |
Qualification | Delhi UniversityBA (Rollins Collage, Florida)Harvard UniversityMPhil (Trinity college, Cambridge) |
Residence | 12, Tughlak Lane, New Delhi |
Net worth | 14.85 crore |
7. Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal, born on August 16, 1968, is an Indian politician and former government officer serving as the Chief Minister of Delhi since February 2015. He also briefly held the position from December 2013 to February 2014 but resigned after 49 days. Kejriwal is the national leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which won a landslide victory in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, securing 67 out of 70 seats.
In 2006, Kejriwal was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership for his role in the Parivartan movement, which focused on fighting corruption through the Right to Information (RTI) laws. He used the award money to establish the Public Cause Research Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to anti-corruption efforts.
Before entering politics, Kejriwal worked as a Joint Commissioner of Income Tax in New Delhi within the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). He graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his political career on December 28, 2013, when he became Delhi’s Chief Minister. However, he resigned on February 14, 2014, after just 49 days, citing the inability to pass an anti-corruption bill due to a lack of support from other political parties. He was re-elected as Chief Minister on February 14, 2015, following AAP’s victory in the Delhi Assembly elections.
Kejriwal was born into an upper-middle-class family in Siwani, Bhiwani district, Haryana. His father, Gobind Ram Kejriwal, was an electrical engineer. Arvind Kejriwal spent much of his early life in towns like Sonipat, Ghaziabad, and Hisar in northern India. He attended Campus School in Hisar and Holy Child School in Sonipat.
After schooling, Kejriwal took the IIT-JEE exam in 1985 and secured an All-India Rank (AIR) of 563. He graduated from IIT Kharagpur with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1989, he joined Tata Steel in Jamshedpur but left in 1992 to prepare for the Civil Services Examination. During this time, he volunteered with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity and the Ramakrishna Mission in North-East India.
After clearing the Civil Services Examination, Kejriwal joined the Indian Revenue Service in 1995 as an Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax. In 2000, he was granted two years of paid leave to pursue higher studies on the condition that he would not resign from his job for at least three years after returning. However, when he returned in 2002, he was unemployed for nearly a year. This led him to take unpaid leave and eventually resign from his post in February 2006. The Indian government claimed that he had violated the terms of his agreement by not working for the required three years. Kejriwal argued that his 18 months of work and 18 months of unpaid leave should count toward the three years. The dispute continued for several years until 2011, when he repaid the government with the help of loans from friends.
After leaving his government job, Kejriwal stated in 2013 that he had chosen public service over earning crores in a high-paying job. His involvement in the Jan Lokpal movement led to criticism that unelected activists should not dictate terms. This motivated him and other activists to enter politics and contest elections. In November 2012, they launched the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), with Kejriwal as its National Convenor. The party’s name, “Common Man’s Party,” reflected Kejriwal’s aim to represent the ordinary people. The formation of AAP led to a split between Kejriwal and Anna Hazare, the leader of the anti-corruption movement.
AAP contested the 2013 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, with Kejriwal running against the incumbent Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. During the campaign, Kejriwal became among the most mentioned Indian politicians on social media.
Personal Information
Full Name | Arvind Kejriwal |
Born | 17 August 1968 (52 Year) |
Spouse | Sunita Kejriwal (Married in 1995) |
Father Name | Govind Ram Kejriwal |
Mother Name | Gita Devi |
Birth Place | Siwani, Bhiwani, Haryana |
Political Party | Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) |
Qualification | IIT Kharagpur (B.Tech) |
Residence | 7, Flag Staff Marg, Civil Lines, New Delhi |
Net worth | 3.40 crore |
Awards and Honors | Ramon Magsaysay Award |
8. Mamta Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee, born on January 5, 1955, is an Indian politician who has served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal since 2011. She is the first woman to hold this position in the state. After parting ways with the Indian National Congress (INC), she founded the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC or TMC) in 1998 and became its leader. Her supporters often call her “Didi,” meaning elder sister, while some critics call her “Pishi,” which means paternal aunt in Bengali.
Mamata Banerjee has served as the Railway Minister of India twice, making her the first woman to do so. She was also the first and only woman to hold the position of Coal Minister, and she has served as the Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Women and Child Development. She gained prominence for her strong opposition to the Communist government’s land acquisition policies for industrial projects in West Bengal, particularly in Singur, where she championed farmers’ rights. This activism played a key role in her party’s landslide victory in the 2011 West Bengal Assembly elections, which ended the 34-year rule of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the state.
Mamata Banerjee was born into a Bengali Hindu family in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), West Bengal. Her parents were Promileswar Banerjee and Gayetri Devi. Tragically, her father passed away due to a lack of medical care when she was just 17 years old. Banerjee identifies herself as a Hindu.
In 1970, Banerjee completed her Higher Secondary education at Deshbandhu Sishu Sikshalay. She then earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from Jogamaya Devi College and a Master’s degree in Islamic History from the University of Calcutta. Additionally, she holds a degree in Education from Shri Shikshayatan College and a Law degree from Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College, Kolkata. Banerjee has also been awarded honorary doctorates, including a Doctorate in Literature (D.Litt.) from the University of Calcutta.
Mamata Banerjee’s political journey began at 15 when she became involved with the Congress (I) Party’s student wing, the Chhatra Parishad while studying at Jogamaya Devi College. She quickly rose through the ranks, eventually serving in various roles within the party and participating in regional political movements.
In the 1970s, Banerjee made her mark in politics as a young leader within the Congress party. She gained attention in 1975 when she protested against communist leader Jayaprakash Narayan by climbing onto his car. She continued to rise in the party, serving as the General Secretary of the Mahila Congress in West Bengal from 1976 to 1980. In the 1984 general elections, Banerjee became one of India’s youngest parliamentarians by defeating prominent Communist leader Somnath Chatterjee to win the Jadavpur parliamentary seat in West Bengal. She was later appointed General Secretary of the Indian Youth Congress in Bengal.
However, in the 1989 elections, she lost her seat to Malini Bhattacharya of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Despite this setback, Banerjee was re-elected from the Calcutta South constituency in the 1991 general elections and held the seat in the 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, and 2009 elections.
In 1991, Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao appointed Banerjee as the Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Women and Child Development. As the Sports Minister, she made headlines by offering to resign in protest against the government’s lack of support for her initiatives to improve sports in the country during a rally at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. She was eventually removed from her ministerial position in 1993. In April 1996, Banerjee publicly criticized the Congress party, accusing it of being subordinate to the CPI-M in West Bengal and advocating for a “clean Congress.”
Personal Information
Full Name | Mamta Banerjee |
Born | 5 January 1955 (65 Year) |
Spouse | All India National Congress (TMC) (1998 to Present) |
Father Name | Promileswar Banerjee |
Mother Name | Ranjit Ghosh |
Birth Place | Calcutta |
Political Party | All India National congress (TMC) (1998 to Present) |
Political Affiliations | Indian National Congress (INC) (Before 1998) |
Qualification | BA (Calcutta University) MA (Calcutta University) B.Ed (Calcutta University) LLB (Calcutta University) |
Residence | R/o 30B, Harish Chatterjee Street, Kolkata |
Net worth | 9 Crore |
9. Sonia Gandhi

Sonia Gandhi, born on December 9, 1946, is an Indian politician who has played a significant role in the Indian National Congress (INC), a major political party in India. She became the party’s leader in 1998, seven years after the assassination of her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, a former Prime Minister of India. Sonia Gandhi held this position for 22 years, making her one of the longest-serving leaders of the party.
Sonia Gandhi was born in a Roman Catholic family in a small village near Vicenza, Italy. After completing her education in local schools, she moved to Cambridge, England, to study English. She met Rajiv Gandhi here, and they married in 1968. After their marriage, Sonia moved to India and lived with Rajiv Gandhi’s family, including his mother, Indira Gandhi, who was then the Prime Minister of India. Despite being part of a prominent political family, Sonia Gandhi stayed away from public life for many years.
After Rajiv Gandhi’s tragic death, Congress party members urged Sonia to lead the party, but she initially declined. However, in 1997, she agreed to enter politics, and in 1998, she was elected as the party’s president, defeating Jitendra Prasada. Under her leadership, the Congress party formed the government after the 2004 elections in alliance with other center-left parties. Although she could have become Prime Minister, Sonia Gandhi chose not to take the position. Instead, she led the ruling coalition and chaired the National Advisory Council.
During her leadership, Sonia Gandhi was instrumental in creating and successfully implementing several social welfare programs, such as the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), and the Food Security Bill. However, she also faced criticism for her involvement in controversies like the Bofors scandal and the National Herald case. Her foreign origins were often a subject of debate in Indian politics.
Sonia Gandhi’s active involvement declined later in her political career due to health issues. She stepped down as Congress president in December 2017 but returned in August 2019 to help unify the party. Despite never holding a government office, Sonia Gandhi has been recognized as one of the most powerful women in the world and one of India’s most influential political figures.
Sonia Gandhi was born Sonia Maino in Lusiana, a small village in Italy. Her parents, Stefano and Paola Maino, raised her and her two sisters, Nadia and Anoushka, in a conservative Roman Catholic family. Her father, Stefano, was a building contractor who supported Benito Mussolini and the Italian National Fascist Party. He fought alongside Hitler’s forces during World War II on the Eastern Front.
Sonia completed her primary education at a local Catholic school, where her teachers described her as a disciplined and hardworking student. At 13, she finished her primary education and aspired to become a flight attendant. 1964, she moved to Cambridge, England, to study English at the Bell Educational Trust. The following year, she met Rajiv Gandhi, who studied engineering at Trinity College, University of Cambridge. They married in 1968 in a Hindu ceremony, after which Sonia moved to India to live with her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, in New Delhi.
Sonia and Rajiv Gandhi had two children, Rahul Gandhi (born 1970) and Priyanka Vadra (born 1972). Throughout their early years, they avoided politics. Rajiv worked as a pilot, while Sonia focused on raising their family. She developed a close relationship with Indira Gandhi, whom she described as loving and supportive.
After Indira Gandhi’s government was ousted in 1977 following the Emergency, the Gandhi family briefly considered leaving India. However, in 1980, after the untimely death of Rajiv’s younger brother, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv entered politics. Sonia, however, continued to focus on her family and remained out of the political spotlight.
Personal Information
Full Name | Sonia Maino |
Born | 9 December 1946 (74 Year) |
Spouse | Rajiv Gandhi (Married in 1968, Died in 1991) |
Father Name | Stefano Maino |
Mother Name | Paola Maino |
Birth Place | Lusiana, Veneto, Italy |
Political Party | Indian National Congress Party (INC) |
Political Affiliations | United Public alliance (UPA) |
Qualification | United Public Alliance (UPA) |
Residence | 10, Janpath Marg, New Delhi |
Net worth | 11.83 crore |
10. Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar, born on March 1, 1951, is an Indian politician who has served as the Chief Minister (CM) of Bihar since 2015, holding this position on five different occasions. He has also held various ministerial roles in the Indian government.
Nitish Kumar is a member of the Janata Dal (United) party. His tenure as CM brought significant improvements to Bihar, transforming it from a state plagued by corruption, crime, and mismanagement into one with better governance. As CM, he hired over 100,000 teachers and administrators, ensured that doctors worked in primary healthcare centers, electrified numerous villages, improved infrastructure, reduced female illiteracy, and increased the average income of Bihari citizens.
On May 17, 2014, Nitish Kumar resigned as CM, taking responsibility for his party’s poor performance in the 2014 state elections. Jitan Ram Manjhi succeeded him. However, after a political crisis in Bihar, Nitish Kumar returned to power in February 2015 and won the November 2015 state elections. He became the national president of his party on April 10, 2016.
In July 2017, Nitish Kumar resigned as CM again due to differences with his coalition partner, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), particularly over corruption charges against Tejashwi Yadav, the Deputy Chief Minister from RJD. Shortly after resigning, he rejoined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), previously his opponent and was reappointed as CM the following day. One of the notable actions during his tenure was implementing a statewide alcohol ban in Bihar in April 2016.
Nitish Kumar was born in Bakhtiarpur, Bihar, to Kaviraj Ram Lakhan Singh, an Ayurvedic doctor, and Parmeshwari Devi. He belongs to the Kurmi farming community. In 1972, he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Bihar College of Engineering (now NIT Patna). After briefly working with the Bihar State Electricity Board, he entered politics.
On February 22, 1973, Nitish Kumar married Manju Kumari Sinha, who died in 2007 due to pneumonia. They had one son.
Nitish Kumar is considered a progressive politician. During his early political career, he was associated with leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, S. N. Sinha, Karpuri Thakur, and V. P. Singh. Between 1974 and 1977, he was actively involved in Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement and joined the Janata Party led by Satyendra Narain Sinha.
In Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, Nitish Kumar initially served as the Minister for Railways and later as the Minister for Agriculture in 1998-99. He resigned in August 1999 following the Gaisal train accident, although he denied responsibility as the Railway Minister. Despite his brief tenure, he introduced several reforms, including the 2002 online reservation system, expanding the number of railway ticket booking counters, and launching the “Tatkal” system for last-minute bookings.
Personal Information
Full Name | Nitish Kumar |
Born | 1 March 1951 (69 Year) |
Spouse | Manju Kumari |
Father Name | Kaviraj Ram Lakhan Singh |
Mother Name | Parmeshwari Devi |
Birth Place | Bakhtiyarpur, Bihar |
Political Party | Janta Dal (United) |
Political Affiliations | Janata Dal |
Qualification | B.E. from National Institute of Technology (Mechanical Engineering) |
Residence | 1, Aney Marg, Patna, Bihar |
Net worth | 36.46 Lakhs |
Awards and Honors | Anuvrat Puraskar, by Shwetambar Terapanthi Mahasabha (Jain organization), for enforcing the total prohibition on liquor in Bihar, 2017 JP Memorial Award, Nagpur’s Manav Mandir, 2013 Ranked 77th in Foreign Policy Magazine’s Top 100 Global Thinkers 2012 XLRI, Jamshedpur Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Industrial & Social Peace 2011 “MSN Indian of the Year 2010” NDTV Indian of the Year – Politics, 2010 Forbes’ “India’s Person of the Year”, 2010 CNN-IBN “Indian of the Year Award” – Politics, 2010 NDTV Indian of the Year – Politics, 2009 Economics Times “Business Reformer of the Year 2009” Polio Eradication Championship Award 2009, by Rotary International CNN-IBN Great Indian of the Year – Politics, 2008 The Best Chief Minister, according to the CNN-IBN and Hindustan Times State of the Nation Poll 2007 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the top 10 politicians in India represent a diverse range of leadership styles, ideologies, and contributions to the country’s political landscape. Each has played a significant role in shaping India’s policies, governance, and international standing. These leaders have left an indelible mark on the nation’s history, whether through reform, economic development, social welfare initiatives, or maintaining law and order. Their influence extends beyond their tenure in office, impacting the lives of millions of Indians and contributing to the nation’s progress on various fronts. As India continues to evolve, these politicians serve as key figures in the ongoing narrative of the country’s democracy and governance.
FAQs
Q1: Who are considered the top 10 politicians in India?
Ans: The top 10 politicians in India typically include leaders who have significantly impacted the country’s politics. This list often features leaders like Narendra Modi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Amit Shah, Arvind Kejriwal, Nitish Kumar, Yogi Adityanath, Sharad Pawar, and Mayawati, among others.
Q2: What criteria determine the ranking of top politicians in India?
Ans: Politicians are often ranked based on their influence, popularity, leadership qualities, political achievements, impact on public policy, electoral success, and contributions to national development.
Q3: How does Narendra Modi stand out among Indian politicians?
Ans: Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, is known for his leadership style, economic reforms like GST and demonetization, and initiatives like “Make in India” and “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.” His strong public appeal and decisive governance have solidified his position as a prominent leader.
Q4: What is Sonia Gandhi’s role in Indian politics?
Ans: Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving president of the Indian National Congress, played a key role in leading the party to victory in the 2004 and 2009 general elections. She is known for her leadership in forming and managing the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition.
Q5: How has Mamata Banerjee influenced West Bengal politics?
Ans: Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, is known for ending the Communist Party’s 34-year rule in the state. Her focus on social welfare programs and strong political stance have made her a significant figure in Indian politics.
Q6: What makes Amit Shah a key player in Indian politics?
Ans: Amit Shah, a close associate of Narendra Modi, is known for his role as the Home Minister of India and for his organizational skills within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has been instrumental in the party’s electoral successes across the country.
Q7: Why is Arvind Kejriwal considered an important politician in India?
Ans: Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, gained prominence as an anti-corruption crusader and later as the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). His focus on education, healthcare, and governance reforms in Delhi has earned him widespread support.
Q8: What are Nitish Kumar’s contributions to Bihar?
Ans: Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, is credited with bringing significant development to the state, particularly in infrastructure, education, and law and order. His governance is seen as a shift from the previous era of corruption and mismanagement in Bihar.
Q9: How has Yogi Adityanath made an impact as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh?
Ans: Yogi Adityanath is known for his strong stance on law and order, his promotion of religious tourism, and his involvement in development projects in Uttar Pradesh. His governance style has been praised and criticized, making him a prominent figure in Indian politics.
Q10: What is the significance of Mayawati in Indian politics?
Ans: Mayawati, a leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), is known for her efforts to uplift the Dalit community in India. Her tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and her focus on social justice have made her an influential politician.