He was born on 2 December 1960 in a Brahmin family.
He was educated at St. Xaviers School, Patna. Thereafter he did his BA from Patna College, Patna University and LL.B. from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla.
As a child, he represented Bihar State in the All India Junior Swimming Championship.
In 1991, he married Dr Mallika Nadda and now the couple have two sons. His mother-in-law is former LS MP Jayshree Banerjee.
JP Nadda was Union Health Minister from 2014 to 2019 under Modi government.
He was a cabinet minister in Himachal Pradesh government twice (1998 – 2003) and (2008-2010).