Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Rajeev‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Chandrasekhar is an influential orator of Bharatiya Janata Party, a technology entrepreneur and a top BJP leader. He was thrice elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha and held the posts of Union Minister of State in the departments of Electronics and Information Technology, Skill Development, and Jal Shakti.

In 2025, he became the head of the BJP’s Kerala unit, thus changing his role from a leader to one of full-time organisational management. Along with that, he is still active in public policy, party strategy, and political ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌outreach.

By Rashmi | Monday, December 15, 2025, 04:06:45 PM [IST]

Rajeev Chandrasekhar Biography

Rajeev Chandrasekhar was Born to Air Commodore M. K. Chandrasekhar and Mrs Valli Chandrasekhar in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 31 May 1964.

He is an Indian politician, entrepreneur, technocrat and a Member of Parliament in the upper house, Rajya Sabha, from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) representing Karnataka. He is the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and Minister of State for the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

He served as an Independent member of the Rajya Sabha representing Karnataka from April 2006 to April 2018. In April 2018, he was re-elected for a third term as a BJP member. He has been a strong advocate for governance reforms, Internet freedom, national security, and the welfare of Armed Forces Personnel.

Chandrasekhar was appointed as the Minister of State for the Union Cabinet in July 2021. His holding areas were Electronics and Information Technology, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti. His tenure as a Union Minister extended till June 2024. The president assigned him the task of leading various national initiatives related to digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, workforce development, and the water sector.

After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Chandrasekhar moved from the cabinet to the organisational wing of the party. In March 2025, he became the President of the BJP's Kerala state unit after he was elected to that position by the party members. Consequently, he took over the responsibility of a party leader to energise the structure and to get more people involved and interested in the party in his home state. Up to now, he is still active, striving to exert influence in the political arena and discussions related to policy and organisational ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌strategy.

Known for his focus on governance, technology, and economics, he has addressed issues like corruption and governance in Parliament. He actively champions urban governance, economic reforms, and veteran issues. Notably, his efforts led to electoral reforms benefiting Armed Forces personnel and challenged Pakistan's MFN status post-Uri attack. He is recognised for his informed stance on digital issues and has received accolades for his support of the Armed Forces.

As an MP with a strong background in technology and entrepreneurship, he advocates for the transformative power of technology in governance. He supports the Digital India Program, believing it will enhance government efficiency and transparency. He emphasises the importance of access to technology for all citizens, especially the socio-economically backward, to streamline services and combat bureaucracy.

A proponent of Net Neutrality, he champions a free internet as crucial for democracy. Throughout his parliamentary tenure, he has pushed for simple regulations ensuring universal internet access and consumer rights.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar Personal Life

Full Name	Rajeev Chandrasekhar
Date of Birth	31 May 1964 (Age 61)
Place of Birth	Ahmedabad
Party Name	Bharatiya Janta Party
Education	Doctorate
Profession	Entrepreneur
Father's Name	M.K. Chandrasekhar
Mother's Name	Valli Chandrasekhar
Spouse's Name	Anju Chandrasekhar
Spouse's Profession	Entrepreneur
Children	1 Son(s) 1 Daughter(s)

Rajeev Chandrasekhar Net Worth

Net Worth

₹65.24 CRORE

ASSETS

₹86.3 CRORE

Liabilities

₹21.05 CRORE

Education Qualification of Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Rajeev Chandrasekhar studied in various schools across India and studied electrical engineering at Manipal Institute of Technology. He completed a Master's in Computer Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago in 1988.

He also completed an advanced management program from Harvard University and various technology programs at institutions such as Stanford University and Intel University. His academic journey culminated in being awarded a Doctor of Science degree from Visvesvaraya Technological University.

Interesting Facts about Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Rajeev Chandrasekhar served as the youngest president of FICCI-Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Political Timeline of Rajeev Chandrasekhar

2025: Elected President of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Kerala unit.
2024: Contested the Lok Sabha election from Thiruvananthapuram as the NDA candidate; lost the election to Shashi Tharoor of the Indian National Congress.
2021: Appointed as Puducherry election co-in charge Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology. Member, Working Group-IV (Finance) of the Committee on Public Accounts
2020: Appointed as BJP National Spokesperson Convenor, Working Group - IV (Finance) of the Public Accounts Committee Member, Indian Council of World Affairs
2019: Member, Public Accounts Committee Member, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Ministry of Communications Member, Joint Committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 Member, of ad-hoc Committee in the Rajya Sabha to study the alarming issue of pornography on social media and its effect on children and society as a whole
2018: Elected as BJP Rajya Sabha MP representing Karnataka
2017: Member, Council of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Member, Select Committee of Rajya Sabha on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-third Amendment) Bill, 2017 Member, Select Committee of Rajya Sabha on the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017 Member, Committee on Finance
2015: Rajeev’s fight for Freedom of Expression and speech on the Internet makes the Supreme Court strike down Article 66 A of the Information & Technology Act. Rajeev’s intervention sees actions against outlets serving liquor to underage patrons. One Rank One Pension - the Defence Minister formally announces an issue Rajeev fought for persistently since 2006. Rajeev calls for a Roadmap to end Child Sexual Abuse and forms the National Coalition to Protect Our Children (NCPOC). Member, Select Committee of Rajya Sabha on the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015 Member, Select Committee of Rajya Sabha on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Second Amendment) Bill, 2014 Member, Select Committee of Rajya Sabha on The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2013 Member, Select Committee of Rajya Sabha on the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013
2014: Rajeev’s fight for Armed Forces Voting Rights sees victory with the Supreme Court granting Armed Forces the right to vote. Member, Central Advisory Committee for National Cadet Corps Member, Select Committee of Rajya Sabha on the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2008 Member, Committee on Defence Member, Select Committee of Rajya Sabha on the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2014
2013: Launches ASK - an online campaign to give citizens an avenue to directly get their voice heard in Parliament
2012: Unanimously re-elected for a second term in Rajya Sabha (resigned w.e.f. 11 March 2018) Flags of Honour Foundation and Dr N K Kalia file petition on Capt Saurabh Kalia UN HRC Member, Committee on Finance Member, Committee on Urban Development
2010: Member, Committee on Information Technology Member, Parliamentary Forum on Youth
2009: Co-Chairperson, Vigilance and Monitoring Committee, Bangalore Urban District Member, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Finance
2008: President, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (F.I.C.C.I.)
2006: Elected to the Rajya Sabha Representing Urban Bengaluru, Karnataka Member, Committee on Information Technology Member, Parliamentary Forum on Youth Member, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Urban Development Rajeev Chandrasekhar sold his sixty-four per cent stake in BPL Communications to Essar Group for US$1.1 billion. Founded Jupiter Capital.
1999: Member, Advisory Committee, Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India Chairperson, Infrastructure Task Force, Government of Karnataka Member, Prime Minister’s Council on Trade and Development

Rajeev Chandrasekhar Early Life

1991: Rajeev Chandrasekhar returned to India and became part of the BPL Group. He founded BPL Mobile, one of the major telecom companies in India.
1988: Vinod Dham handpicked Rajeev Chandrasekhar to Intel and he worked there from 1988 to 1991. At Intel, he was part of the architectural team that designed the I486 processor.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar Achievements

2007- IIT Global Alumni Award
2013- Distinguished Alumni Award
Index Freedom of Expression Award in the category of Digital Freedom for fighting against internet censorship in India and challenging legislation that will stifle digital freedom.

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