From the Finance Minister to the Foreign Minister, here's a list of JNU alumni.
JNU has produced students who played a major role in Indian politics, administration, and the international arena. JNU alumni currently hold important positions in the country and the world.
JNU has produced students who played a major role in Indian politics, administration, and the international arena. JNU alumni currently hold important positions in the country and the world. Let's learn about them...
JNU alumni include some of the country's current top ministers. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman received an MA in Economics from JNU. Today, she is responsible for the country's economic policies. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar received a PhD in International Relations from JNU. Today, he strongly represents India's foreign policy to the world. This demonstrates that JNU education provides students with a global perspective and a deep understanding.
JNU has a deep connection with student politics. Sitaram Yechury, the long-time general secretary of the CPI(M), was a JNU student and served as student union president. He passed away in 2024. D. Raja, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), also studied at JNU and developed his understanding of politics there. These leaders shaped Indian politics for decades.
JNU has produced not only traditional leaders but also new political leaders. Yogendra Yadav, a renowned psephologist and founder of the Swaraj Party, received his MA from JNU. He worked to connect politics with an understanding of data and public opinion.
JNU also has international recognition. Baburam Bhattarai, former Prime Minister of Nepal, earned his PhD from JNU. He believes that JNU gave him a new political and ideological perspective. Former Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan and Etihad Airways Chairman Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan were also students at JNU. This clearly demonstrates JNU's influence beyond India.
JNU is often associated with just one ideology, but the reality is that it has produced people of all persuasions. Maneka Gandhi, a BJP leader and former minister, learned German from JNU. Jharkhand BJP leader Shivshankar Oron studied Chinese at JNU. Senior BJP ideologue Anirban Ganguly and BJYM National Vice President Abhinav Prakash are also JNU alumni. This demonstrates that JNU provides opportunities for students of all persuasions to thrive.
JNU alumni have excelled not only in politics but also in administration and education. Nobel Prize-winning economist Abhijit Banerjee studied at JNU. Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and a senior IAS officer, earned his MA from JNU. Former R&AW chief Alok Joshi was also a JNU alumnus. Additionally, JNU has produced numerous IAS, IFS, and IPS officers, journalists, writers, and professors.
