Arvind Kejriwal (born 16 August 1968) is an Indian politician and former civil servant. He founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and served three times as Chief Minister of Delhi. An IIT graduate and former income tax officer, he rose to national fame as a leader of the 2011 anti-corruption movement. He then built AAP into a party that won power in Delhi and Punjab. His recent years have been marked by his 2024 arrest in the Delhi excise policy case and AAP’s defeat in the 2025 Delhi election.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Arvind Kejriwal |
| Born | 16 August 1968, Siwani, Bhiwani district, Haryana, India |
| Age | 58 |
| Party | Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), national convenor |
| Office held | Chief Minister of Delhi (2013–2014, 2015–2024) |
| Education | BTech in Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur |
| Former career | Indian Revenue Service officer |
| Spouse | Sunita Kejriwal |
| Children | Harshita, Pulkit |
| Award | Ramon Magsaysay Award (2006) |
Early Life and Career
Kejriwal was born in Haryana into a middle-class family. He studied mechanical engineering at IIT Kharagpur and worked for Tata Steel. In 1995 he joined the Indian Revenue Service as an income tax officer. He co-founded the citizens’ group Parivartan, which used the Right to Information law to expose corruption and help ordinary people. For this work he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2006.
India Against Corruption
In 2011 Kejriwal was one of the main organisers of the India Against Corruption movement led by the veteran activist Anna Hazare. The movement demanded a strong anti-corruption ombudsman (Jan Lokpal) and drew huge crowds across the country. When Hazare opposed entering politics, Kejriwal went ahead and launched the Aam Aadmi Party in November 2012.
Chief Minister of Delhi
In its first election, in December 2013, AAP stunned Delhi’s established parties. Kejriwal defeated three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and formed a minority government, but he resigned after 49 days over the Jan Lokpal Bill. In the 2014 general election he contested Varanasi against Narendra Modi and lost. In February 2015 AAP won a record 67 of Delhi’s 70 seats, and in 2020 it won 62. His government became known for its focus on government schools, mohalla clinics, subsidised electricity and water, and free bus travel for women. AAP also won the 2022 Punjab election and gained national party status in 2023.
Arrest and 2025 Election
In March 2024 the Enforcement Directorate arrested Kejriwal in connection with alleged irregularities in Delhi’s liquor excise policy. He became the first sitting Chief Minister to be arrested. He denied the allegations and called the case politically motivated. The Supreme Court granted him bail in September 2024, and he resigned as Chief Minister soon afterwards, with Atishi taking over. In the February 2025 Delhi Assembly election the BJP won a majority, and Kejriwal lost his own New Delhi seat. He remains AAP’s national convenor and continues to lead the party, including in Punjab.
Personal Life
Kejriwal is married to Sunita Kejriwal, a former Indian Revenue Service officer, and they have two children, Harshita and Pulkit. He is known for his simple dress, often a sweater and muffler, which became part of his public image.
Key Milestones
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Arvind Kejriwal born?
Arvind Kejriwal was born on 16 August 1968 in Siwani, Bhiwani district, Haryana, India.
