You might know him as one of the strong voices in Indian politics today, but Kiran Rijiju’s story didn’t start in Parliament—it started on the school sports field as an athlete! Born in the state of the rising sun, he has made people believe that no matter where you start, dedication and passion take you anywhere you want in life.
His father was Arunachal’s First Pro-Tem Speaker
On November 19, 1971, Kiren Rijiju was born in Nafra, a small town in Arunachal Pradesh. His interest in politics and public service came from his dad, Rinchin Kharu, a big name in Arunachal politics. In fact, when the state’s first legislative assembly started, his father was picked as the pro-tem speaker.1
With a figure like that guiding him, Kiren grew up a sharp student, full of confidence from a young age.
He was an athlete in his school days
Rijiju went to school in Arunachal Pradesh, where he was a bright student and also very active in sports, even competing in various sports at the national level.2
He later moved to Delhi for higher education. He studied at Hansraj College, one of the best colleges in the city, and then went on to study law at the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi.
Back then, he had no clue how much those degrees would pay off. When he stepped into politics, that education turned out to be gold, especially when he climbed up to handle big roles like the sports ministry and legal affairs, where his past fit right in.
His wife is a gold medalist from Arunachal University
Kiren is married to Joram Rina Rijiju, an Associate Professor teaching history at Dera Natung Government College, Itanagar.3 She is a gold medalist from Arunachal University and a graduate from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi. The couple has three children together- Sancho Rijiju, Nathey Rijiju, and Jajey Rijiju.
His wife has been a strong support for him, not just at home but also in his political career.
He is the BJP’s face in the North-Eastern India
Kiren Rijiju’s political career started in the early 2000s when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His ability to speak well and connect with people helped him quickly rise through the ranks in the party, especially in the northeastern region of India.
In 2004, he was elected as a Member of Parliament from the Arunachal West constituency. He has been re-elected multiple times, showing the trust people have in him. His initial tenure lasted until 2009, after which he made a comeback in 2014 and has been serving since then.
As a Union Minister in the Central Government
Kiren Rijiju has held several different roles in the central government. Between 2014 and 2019, he served as the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Minority Affairs. Later, from 2021 to 2023, he took on the role of Union Minister of Law and Justice.
As the Minister of Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju worked to speed up the appointment of judges in the High Courts and the Supreme Court. His efforts led to more progress in filling these important positions than in earlier years. However, some of his statements and approach towards the judiciary caused public debate and drew criticism from a few legal experts.
In 2023, Kiren Rijiju took on the responsibilities as the Cabinet Minister of Earth Sciences and Food Processing Industries. It showed he could juggle totally different roles. His tenure in these roles was short-lived, though, as he assumed the office of Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs4 and Minority Affairs in June 2024.
Since then, he’s pushed through bills like the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and got them passed. His big role in national politics puts him on India’s law-making map, and he’s still at it for all to watch.
Note- His biography will be updated here as new details emerge.
References
- Kiren Rijiju’s emotional tribute to father goes viral on Internet, East Mojo ↩︎
- Press Information Bureau’s Press release on 31 May 2019 ↩︎
- History Department Details on Dera Natung Government College, Itanagar’s Official Website ↩︎
- Ministry OF Parliamentary Affairs Official Website ↩︎
