Annapurna Devi

Annapurna Devi was born on February 2, 1970, in present-day Jharkhand. She pursued her higher education from Ranchi University and later entered public life, initially without a planned political career. Her entry into politics came after the death of her husband, Ramesh Yadav, in 1998, which marked a turning point in her life.

She began her political journey with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1998. She later continued as an MLA in Jharkhand after the state’s formation and served multiple terms representing the Kodarma constituency between 1998 and 2014. During this period, she also held ministerial roles, including handling departments such as Irrigation, Women & Child Welfare, and Registration.

In 2019, she switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party, marking a major political shift. She was fielded as the BJP candidate from Kodarma in the Lok Sabha elections and won with a significant margin, defeating former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi. This victory marked her entry into national politics.

Her role in the Union government began in 2021 when she was appointed Minister of State for Education. She later rose to a Cabinet-level position and, in June 2024, was appointed Union Minister for Women and Child Development in the Modi government. This elevation marked a significant milestone in her political career, positioning her among key women leaders in the Union Cabinet.

As of 2026, she continues to serve as a Union Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament, maintaining an active role in legislative work and national policy, particularly in areas related to women and child welfare.