Shri Rahul Gandhi

Party President of the Indian National Congress from 2017-19 - 84th AICC Plenary Session, New Delhi

Rahul Gandhi is a four-term Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, and has represented the people of Wayanad, Kerala since 2019. Previously, he was the Member of Parliament from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh from 2004 to 2019.

He is also a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and a trustee of the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust and the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. In the past years, he has held several significant offices of responsibility including:

• General Secretary - All-India Congress Committee (AICC)
• Vice-President - Indian National Congress (INC)
• General Secretary (Incharge) - Indian Youth Congress (IYC)
• General Secretary (Incharge) - National Students’ Union of India (NSUI)
• Member - Parliamentary Standing Committee, Home Affairs
• Member - Parliamentary Standing Committee, External Affairs
• Member - Parliamentary Standing Committee, Human Resource Development
• Member - Consultative Committee, Civil Aviation

Rahul Gandhi's political journey is rooted in pro-people policies, justice for the marginalised, equitable growth and his deep belief in truth and the power of love.

Family, Early Life and Education

Rahul Gandhi was born on 19th June 1970 to Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi. He spent his formative years in New Delhi, studying at St. Columba's School. He went on to study at the Doon School in Dehradun. Around this time, his father, Rajiv Gandhi, entered politics and became Prime Minister after the assassination of Rahul’s grandmother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Due to constant security threats, Rahul and his sister, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi were also home schooled.

A year after attending St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, for his undergraduate studies he moved to the US to attend Harvard University. Following the assassination of his father and the security concerns that surfaced, Rahul Gandhi shifted to Rollins College in Florida. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1994. Thereafter, he went on to pursue and complete his M.Phil. in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge (Trinity College) in 1995.

Upon graduation, Rahul started his professional journey at the Monitor Group, a management consulting firm in London. Once he returned to India, he set up a technology outsourcing firm - Backops Services Private Ltd. in Mumbai, where he served as a director.

Political journey

In 2004, Rahul Gandhi announced his entry into Indian politics. He contested his first election from Amethi, in Uttar Pradesh – the same seat his late father represented – where he won by an overwhelming margin of almost three lakh votes. He has been a champion of people’s rights, and has chosen to espouse the politics which brings together all communities and has been a strong opponent of divisive forces.

On September 24th, 2007, Rahul Gandhi was appointed General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). In his new role he was incharge of the party’s two important frontals - Indian Youth Congress and the National Students Union of India - the cradle of leadership and the nursery of Congress’ foundation. Under his leadership, the NSUI and IYC witnessed an exponential growth in membership - from 2 to 25 lakhs. He has been a strong advocate of greater representation of students, youth and women in the decision-making process.

He has consistently pressed for rural development, educational opportunities, women empowerment, and greater youth participation in politics. During the last two decades of being in active electoral politics, Rahul Gandhi has been a strong advocate for the underprivileged and economically disadvantaged sections of society and consistently strives hard for ensuring plurality and diversity in mainstream politics. On May 11, 2011, he was arrested in Bhatta Parsaul village in Uttar Pradesh for supporting farmers who were protesting for fair compensation for their land, which authorities had acquired for a highway project.

In January 2013, he was appointed Vice President of the Indian National Congress.

Presidency of the Indian National Congress

Rahul Gandhi assumed the Presidency of the Indian National Congress on December 16, 2017. As the president of India’s oldest party, which valiantly fought for and won the war of Indian independence, he spearheaded the voice of people from all across the country. He held the government accountable and emerged as the most formidable critic of the anti-people policies of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Rahul Gandhi has been the voice of the voiceless and has worked hard to alleviate the hardships borne by the people over the last decade of misgovernance, economic mismanagement and crony capitalism.

Political journey post-Presidency

Rahul Gandhi stepped down as President of the Indian National Congress in May 2019.

Since then, he has continued to pursue his political vision of a more democratic, prosperous, egalitarian, and just India. Among the key issues that he has consistently championed is the cause of social harmony and social justice for all of India’s people, regardless of their race, caste, class, ethnicity, gender, or religion.

In a historic move in September 2022, Rahul took the INC’s message of tolerance, unity, compassion and love directly to the people by embarking on the Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY). This monumental padyatra of 4080 kilometres was undertaken on September 7, 2022 from Kanyakumari in the South and culminated on January 30, 2023 in Kashmir in the North.

The Yatra was a tremendous success, with millions of people participating and showing their support for the message of love, justice, and tolerance. One of Rahul Gandhi’s most admirable strengths, honed during the Yatra, is the art of listening. He believes to represent India, one must first learn to listen to India. Along this unprecedented journey on foot, Rahul met people from across age groups, regions, religion, professions, people who spoke different languages but who were all united by the idea of India. Following Rahul Gandhi’s example, many state units of the INC took out similar yatras in their own states as well. The BJY heralded a revolution in Indian political discourse by placing the politics of love and harmony at its core - and insisting upon uniting the nation at a time when forces of division are at work.

Following his relentless pursuit for justice, in January 2024, Rahul Gandhi embarked upon the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (BJNY). The BJNY - a journey from Manipur in the North East of India to Mumbai on our West coast began on January 14, 2024 and culminated on March 16, 2024. This 6,700 km long yatra focuses on bringing comprehensive social, economic, and political justice to the people of India.

Through BJNY, Rahul Gandhi has transformed and unveiled the transformative paradigm of justice by announcing the Paanch Nyay Agenda. The ‘Paanch Nyay’ are five pillars of justice for youth, women, farmers, workers and the marginalised communities. Yuva Nyay, Nari Nyay, Kisan Nyay, Shramik Nyay and Hissedari Nyay lay the blueprint for the future of India. Rahul Gandhi's steadfast perseverance and commitment to justice, unity, and equity capture the spirit of an India where people have equal opportunities to prosper, rise and be heard. His vision embodies the true Indian spirit - one brimming with hope, prosperity, kindness, and justice for everyone.

Vision

Rahul Gandhi fiercely believes that governments ought to be accountable and must serve the people. He believes that policy making should focus on equitable distribution of resources, it should help bridge the widening economic divide, it must protect and provide for India’s farmers, the youth, workers, women, and marginalised communities. He champions greater representation of the oppressed Dalit, Adivasi, and OBC communities through policies that will help alleviate multi-dimensional poverty, create employment, and address income disparity.

He envisions transforming the business environment in India by empowering small businesses to grow and scale. His vision for India's growing economy involves transforming it into a production powerhouse, where wealth is not concentrated in the hands of a few.

Additionally, he strongly supports decentralisation and emphasises on the importance of state and local governance. In Rahul Gandhi’s vision, India unites to honour and celebrate its rich diversity, heritage, and ambition, promoting a language of love.

Interest and hobbies

Over the years, Rahul Gandhi has shared his favourite books and hobbies. He is a voracious reader and some of his favourite books include the ‘Unfettered Mind’ by Takuan Soho and the writings of Swami Vivekananda. He has also studied most major religious texts of the world and has a keen and inquisitive mind.

Rahul Gandhi is a certified scuba diver, finding joy and tranquillity beneath the waves in his free time. He particularly enjoys free diving that is diving without the aid of scuba gear, relying solely on his ability to hold his breath.

Widely known for his fitness, Rahul holds a black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art, a proof of his dedication and discipline. He also enjoys cycling for long distances with friends.