Droupadi Murmu began her tenure as the fifteenth President of India in 2022, marking the first time a member of a tribal community held the office. Her political career spans local governance to national leadership, shaped by a background in teaching and public service in states including Odisha and Jharkhand, where she served as the first female governor.
Early Life and Career
Born in the Mayurbhanj district in 1958, Droupadi Murmu spent her early years in the Uparbeda village. She received her higher education at Rama Devi Women's University. Before shifting to full-time politics, she worked as a junior assistant in the State Irrigation and Power Department from 1979 to 1983. Later, she served as a school teacher in Rairangpur between 1994 and 1997, where she instructed students in Hindi, Odia, mathematics, and geography.
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Murmu entered electoral politics by winning a seat as a councillor for the Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat. Following this, she became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. She served two consecutive terms in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, holding the seat for the Rairangpur constituency from 2000 to 2009. During her time in the assembly, she functioned as a Minister of State with Independent Charge, managing portfolios including commerce, transportation, and fisheries.
Governance in Jharkhand
In 2015, Murmu was appointed as the Governor of Jharkhand, a position she held until 2021. Her tenure was marked by legislative debates regarding land rights and tenancy acts. In 2017, she addressed public opposition to proposed amendments affecting tribal land rights by returning the bills to the state government. During the same year, she gave her assent to the Freedom of Religion Bill and legislation concerning land acquisition.
National Presidency
Assuming the presidency in 2022, Murmu became the first president of India born after the country achieved independence. She is the second woman to occupy the role and the youngest individual to hold the position at the time of her inauguration. Her official duties have included international engagement, recognized through honours such as the honorary companion of the Order of Fiji in 2024 and an honorary doctorate from Constantine the Philosopher University in 2025.
Fast facts
- Born: 1958, Mayurbhanj district
- President of India: 2022–present
- Governor of Jharkhand: 2015–2021
- Previous Occupations: Teacher, clerk
- Education: Rama Devi Women's University
- Languages: Hindi, English, Odia, Santali
Questions readers ask
What was her role before the presidency?
She served as the Governor of Jharkhand and as a member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
Is she the first woman president of India?
No, she is the second woman to hold the office, following Pratibha Patil.
