Shanta Kumar

Shanta Kumar is an Indian politician and senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with a distinguished career in both state and national governance.

He served twice as Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, was elected multiple times to the Lok Sabha, and held cabinet portfolios in the Government of India. A founder member of the BJP from the hill state, he also chaired a high-level committee for restructuring the Food Corporation of India.

As of 2026, he remains engaged in public discourse and party activities.

By Rashmi | Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 12:58:40 PM [IST]

Shanta Kumar Biography

Shanta Kumar was born on 12 September 1934 in Garhjamula, Kangra district (then Punjab province, now Himachal Pradesh). He pursued higher education, earning his B.A. and LL.B. degrees, and began his public life rooted in grassroots civic involvement before entering electoral politics.

His early political engagement began with local bodies in Kangra, where he was elected to the gram panchayat and later served as President of the Zila Parishad. He entered the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1972 and became the state’s third Chief Minister in 1977 under a Janata Party government.

Kumar went on to serve again as Chief Minister from 1990 to 1992 and held leadership roles in the Assembly, including Leader of the Opposition. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Kangra constituency in 1989, 1998, 1999, and again in 2014, participating actively in parliamentary affairs.

At the national level, he served in the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and later as Minister of Rural Development. He also chaired the Shanta Kumar Committee on restructuring the Food Corporation of India.

As of 2026, he continues to share insights on governance and democracy as a senior BJP statesman.

Shanta Kumar Personal Life

Full Name	Shanta Kumar
Date of Birth	12 Sep 1934 (Age 91)
Place of Birth	Garh Jamula, Distt. Kangra (Himachal Pradesh)
Party Name	Bharatiya Janta Party
Education	Graduate Professional
Profession	Political and Social Worker
Father's Name	Jagan Nath Sharma
Mother's Name	Kaushalya Devi
Spouse's Name	Santosh Kumari
Children	1 Son(s) 3 Daughter(s)

Shanta Kumar Net Worth

Net Worth

₹1.99 CRORE

ASSETS

₹1.99 CRORE

Liabilities

N/A

Interesting Facts about Shanta Kumar

He was the President, Vivekananda Medical Research Trust, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh.
He is very active in various literary activities; creating writing and constructive activities.

Political Timeline of Shanta Kumar

2025-2026: Remains a senior BJP leader, sharing experience in public forums and contributing to party strategy.
2023-2024: Continues to engage in political commentary and public discussions on governance and parliamentary conduct.
2015: 29 Jan 2015: He was the Member,General Purposes Committee.
2014: He was Re-elected to the 16th Lok Sabha (4th term) in 2014 from Kangra constituency. He defeated Chander Kumar of Congress Party, by 170,072 votes. 14 Aug 2014:He was the Chairperson, Committee on Public Undertakings,Chairperson, High Level Committee for the re-structuring of Food Corporation of India. 1 Sep.2014: He was the Member, Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
2008: 2008-2014: He was Nominated to Rajya Sabha from H.P. May 2008-Aug.2009: He was the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Commerce. Nov.2012-25July 2013: He was also Nominated to the Panel of Vice-Chairmen, Rajya Sabha
2002: 1July 2002- 6 April 2003: He was the Union Cabinet Minister,Rural Development
1999: He was Re-elected to the 13th Lok Sabha(3rd term) in 1999 from Kangra constituency. He defeated Sat Mahajan of Congress Party, by 100,742 votes. From 13Oct.1999- 30June 2002: He was the Union Cabinet Minister, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
1998: 1998-99:He was the Member, Rules Committee Member, Standing Committee on Defence and its Sub-Committee-I Member, Library Committee Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Power
1998: He was Re-elected to the 12th Lok Sabha(2nd term) in 1998 from Kangra constituency. He defeated Sat Mahajan of Congress Party, by 59,235 votes.
1990: He became the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh for the 2nd term. 1990-92:Member, Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
1989: He was elected to the 9th Lok Sabha in 1989, from Kangra constituency. He defeated Chandresh Kumari of Congress Party, by 59,204 votes.
1980: 1980-85: He was the Leader of Opposition, Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
1977: 1977-80: He became the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh
1972: 1972-85: He became Member of Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
1965: 1965-68: He was the President, Zila Parishad, Kangra

Shanta Kumar Achievements

He was elected to the 9th Lok Sabha in 1989: 12th Lok Sabha in 1998:13th Lok Sabha in 1999 from Kangra constituency.

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