These successful IITians turned politicians in India
What's the story
The world recognizes the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) as centers of academic excellence in science and technology.
Contrary to what most of the nation's engineering hopefuls may aspire to become, a small number of IIT alumni have gone on to become politicians and support their nation.
These are the top five IIT alumni who achieved political success.
#1
Former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, an alumnus of IIT Bombay
Four-time Goa CM and former Defense Minister, Manohar Parrikar, was an alumnus of IIT-Bombay where he graduated in metallurgical engineering from in the year 1978.
Notably, the BJP leader was the first ever IIT alumnus to become an MLA of a state and also serve as a Chief Minister.
He passed away on 17 March 2019 at 63 after battling a prolonged illness.
#2
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh is also an IIT-B alumnus
Veteran Congress leader Jairam Ramesh is also an IITian who later pursued a career in politics. He is currently a Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha representing Karnataka.
He is an IIT Bombay alumnus who pursued mechanical engineering at the institute.
He joined the Congress in 1998 and has held several key positions and also served as a Union Minister during the UPA regime.
#3
RLD chief Ajit Singh is also an IIT graduate
Ajit Singh, the founder Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), is an IITian who pursued computer science at IIT-Kharagpur.
He is the son of former PM Charan Singh. He was the President of Lok Dal and Janata Party who served as a Union Minister several times.
He later founded RLD in 1996. RLD joined UPA in 2011 and he was the Civil Aviation Minister from 2011-14.
#4
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is also an IITian
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is also an IITian who pursued mechanical engineering at IIT Kharagpur.
He is also a former civil servant who worked as an Indian Revenue Service officer before joining politics.
In 2012, Kejriwal founded the AAP and currently, he is the national convener of the party. He is the second-youngest chief minister of Delhi.
#5
Union Minister Jayant Sinha is an IIT-D alumnus
BJP leader and Union Minister Jayant Sinha, the son of veteran politician Yashwant Sinha, is an alumnus of IIT Delhi.
He is currently the Minister of State for Civil Aviation in the Modi government; he also served as the Minister of State for Finance during 2014-16.
He is also a Member of Parliament and represents the BJP from Jharkhand's Hazaribagh in the Lok Sabha.