Kiren Rijiju (born 19 November 1971) is an Indian politician of the Bharatiya Janata Party from Arunachal Pradesh and the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs. One of the most prominent leaders from the North-East, he has served in Narendra Modi‘s government since 2014 as Minister of State for Home, Sports Minister, Law Minister and Earth Sciences Minister.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Kiren Rijiju |
| Born | 19 November 1971, Nakhu, West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, India |
| Age | 54 |
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Office | Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs (2024–present) |
| Earlier offices | Home (Minister of State, 2014–2019); Youth Affairs and Sports (2019–2021); Law and Justice (2021–2023); Earth Sciences (2023–2024) |
| Constituency | Arunachal West |
| Education | Hansraj College, Delhi (B.A.); University of Delhi (LL.B.) |
| Spouse | Joram Rina Rijiju |
| Children | 3 |
Early Life
Rijiju was born in a village near Nafra in the western hills of Arunachal Pradesh. His father, Rinchin Kharu, was the first pro-tem speaker of the state assembly. He studied in Delhi, where he was active in student politics, and is a Buddhist.
Political Career
He won the Arunachal West Lok Sabha seat in 2004 at the age of 32, lost narrowly in 2009 and has won it in 2014, 2019 and 2024. As Minister of State for Home he dealt with border management and disaster response. As Sports Minister with independent charge he promoted the Fit India Movement and Khelo India games and was in office when India won seven medals at the Tokyo Olympics. Promoted to the cabinet as Law Minister in July 2021, he criticised the collegium system by which judges appoint judges, and was moved to Earth Sciences in May 2023. In June 2024 he became Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, responsible for managing the government’s business in both Houses, and of Minority Affairs, where he piloted the Waqf (Amendment) Act of 2025.
Personal Life
He is married to Joram Rina Rijiju, a professor of history, and they have three children. He is a fitness enthusiast known for videos of his workouts and for playing several sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Kiren Rijiju born?
Kiren Rijiju was born on 19 November 1971 in Nakhu, West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, India and is 54 years old.
Featured image: Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, speaks to the media after an all-party meeting at Parliament House, New Delhi, 21 July 2024. Photo by Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, licensed under Government Open Data License – India, via Wikimedia Commons.
