Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao was born on 17 February 1954 in Chintamadaka village of Medak district in present‑day Telangana. He studied at Osmania University, earning a Master’s degree in Telugu literature. Early in his political life, he joined the Youth Congress, and later moved to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), where he served as an MLA from Siddipet multiple times before resigning in 2001 to champion the cause of a separate Telangana state.
In 2001, Rao founded the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) with the central aim of securing statehood for Telangana, leading sustained grassroots agitation and negotiations that eventually culminated in the creation of Telangana on 2 June 2014. His leadership during the movement earned him widespread recognition in the region.
After statehood was granted, Rao became the first Chief Minister of Telangana, serving from June 2014 until December 2023 through multiple terms, overseeing major state‑level policies and administrative initiatives. He was instrumental in shaping early governance structures, social welfare schemes, and regional infrastructure projects.
Following the end of his tenure as Chief Minister, Rao transitioned to opposition politics and was formally recognised as the Leader of the Opposition in the Telangana Legislative Assembly in December 2023.
As of 2026, he continues in that role, leading his party’s legislative strategy, critiquing policies of the state government, and remaining a central figure in Telangana’s political landscape.
| Full Name | Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao |
| Date of Birth | 17 Feb 1954 (Age 72) |
| Place of Birth | Siddipeta, Telangana |
| Party Name | Bharat Rashtra Samithi |
| Education | Graduate |
| Profession | Politician |
| Father's Name | Raghavar Rao |
| Mother's Name | Venkatamma |
| Spouse's Name | Shobha |
| Children | 1 Son(s) 1 Daughter(s) |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Caste | Velama |
| Year | Election | Type | Constituency | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Telangana Assembly election | MLA | Gajwel | Won |
| 2014 | Telangana Assembly election | MLA | Gajwel | Won |
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