Nitish Kumar is one of India’s most seasoned politicians and a central figure in Bihar politics. Known for his pragmatic governance style and strong hold over state coalitions, he has earned the nickname “Sushasan Babu” — a leader synonymous with good governance. In 2025, he was sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th time.
Early Life and Education
Birth and Background: Nitish Kumar was born on 1 March 1951 in Bakhtiarpur, Patna district, in Bihar.Family: His father, Ram Lakhhan Singh, was a freedom fighter and Ayurvedic practitioner, and his mother was Parmeshwari Devi.Education: He completed his schooling in Bakhtiarpur and went on to study Electrical Engineering at Bihar College of Engineering (now NIT Patna), earning his BSc in 1972Early Career: After graduating, he worked briefly in the Bihar State Electricity Board before dedicating himself full-time to politics
Political Journey
Early Activism: Nitish’s political awakening came during the Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) movement of the 1970s, a mass political movement for social change.Entry into Electoral Politics: He won his first assembly election from Harnaut in 1985. Later, he served as a Member of Parliament from Barh and NalandaParty Affiliations: He has been part of different political formations — initially in the Samata Party, and later a leading member of the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U).Union Minister: Over the years, he has held key union-level roles, including in Railways, Agriculture, and Surface Transport.
Chief Minister of Bihar
First Tenure: His first stint as CM was very brief only 7 days in 2000.
mintLong-Term Leadership: He returned to power in 2005 and has held the CM position over multiple terms since, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister of BiharRecord 10th Term: After the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election, in which the NDA won a landslide (202/243 seats), Nitish Kumar was sworn in for the 10th time as CM.Coalition Politics: He has frequently switched alliances at times with BJP, at other times with RJD and Congress showing political flexibility that critics call opportunistic, but supporters call pragmatic
Key Focus & Governance Style
Good Governance: Nitish is deeply associated with “sushasan” (good governance). He emphasizes law and order, infrastructure development, and state-level reformseducation especially in rural Bihar including better school infrastructure and support for students.Simplicity & Integrity: Despite his power, Nitish is known for a humble lifestyle. Reports say he leads a modest life, underlining his “man of the people” imagePolicy of Free Electricity: Ahead of the 2025 elections, he announced that households would get up to 125 units of electricity free per month for eligible consumers — a major pro-people welfare policy
Achievements and Challenges
Law & Order: Under his governance, Bihar has seen improvements in law and order.
Infrastructure: Expansion of roads, colleges, and public institutions has been a consistent priority.
Social Engineering: He has successfully built coalitions across caste lines, making his political base broad.
Challenges & Criticism:
Alliance Flip-flops: His frequent changing of political alliances is a double-edged sword — some call it pragmatism, others opportunism.
Economic Inequality: Despite development, critics argue that many rural and marginalized communities in Bihar are still not fully benefitting
Aging Leadership: At 74 (as of 2025), some question whether he can continue to lead with the same energy; yet, his political clout remains strong.
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Personal Life
Family: He was married to Manju Kumari Sinha (now deceased) and has a son, Nishant Kumar
Net Worth: According to his declared assets, his total net worth is around ₹1.64 crore, which is relatively modest for a politician of his stature.
Leadership Role in JD(U): Besides being CM, he is also the national president of JD(U).
Why Nitish Kumar Matters
Nitish Kumar is not just a regional political figure — he’s a symbol of political resilience and pragmatism. His engineering background gives him a technocratic approach to governance, while his decades in politics reflect deep experience. His ability to navigate complex caste and coalition dynamics has allowed him to repeatedly return to power. For Bihar, he stands as a leader who combines welfare, development, and political shrewdness.
Looking Ahead (2025 and Beyond)
With his 10th term, the expectations are high: Can he deliver on major promises such as job creation, infrastructure scale-up, and welfare schemes?
His leadership will be tested on how well he balances coalition politics with effective governance.
Observers will closely watch how his policies impact Bihar’s long-term economic trajectory, especially in health, education, and industrial development.
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