The Modi government has a diverse and highly educated cabinet, with ministers possessing impressive academic credentials from prestigious institutions worldwide. Here is a closer look at the educational backgrounds of some of the most highly educated ministers:
Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Designation: Minister of External Affairs
Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is a distinguished diplomat with an extensive academic background. He holds a degree from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi. He further pursued a Master’s in Political Science, an M.Phil, and a Ph.D. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi. His diplomatic career includes assignments in embassies in Moscow, Colombo, Budapest, and Tokyo, as well as key positions within the Ministry of External Affairs and the President’s Secretariat.
Nirmala Sitharaman
Designation: Minister of Finance & Minister of Corporate Affairs
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has a strong foundation in economics. She earned her undergraduate degree in Economics from Seethaiakshmi Ramaswamy College in Tiruchirapalli. She then pursued her Master’s degree in Economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. Professionally, she has served as an assistant to the Economist at the Agricultural Engineers Association in London and later as Senior Manager (Research and Analysis) with Price Waterhouse, also in London.
Piyush Goyal
Designation: Minister of Commerce and Industry, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & Minister of Textiles
Piyush Goyal is well-versed in commerce and law. In 1984, he completed his Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree at H.R. College of Commerce & Economics, University of Mumbai. He earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from Government Law College, University of Mumbai in 1987, and in the same year, he also qualified as a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
Ashwini Vaishnaw
Designation: Minister of Railways, Minister of Communications & Minister of Electronics and Information Technology
Ashwini Vaishnaw has a robust technical and administrative background. In 1991, he graduated with a gold medal in electronic and communications engineering from MBM Engineering College (JNVU), Jodhpur. He secured an all-India rank of 27 in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination in 1994. Later, in 2008, he pursued an MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Dr. Jitendra Singh
Designation: Minister of Science and Technology
Dr. Jitendra Singh has an extensive medical and scientific background. He completed his M.B.B.S. and M.D. in Medicine, and holds a Fellowship in Diabetes (MNAMS) in Diabetes and Endocrinology. He has received education from Stanley Medical College in Chennai, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, Government Medical College in Jammu, and an Honorary Ph.D. from Amity University in Noida.
Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
Designation: Minister of Civil Aviation & Minister of Steel
Jyotiraditya Scindia has an impressive educational pedigree. He started his higher education at St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, before transferring to Harvard College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1993. He further pursued a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2001.
General (Retd.) V.K. Singh
Designation: Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways & Civil Aviation
General V.K. Singh is highly educated in military and strategic studies. He graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) and earned an MSc in Defence Studies from Madras University. He further obtained a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College and later earned a Ph.D. from Barkatullah University in Bhopal.
Som Parkash
Designation: Minister of State for Commerce and Industry
Som Parkash is a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with a strong academic background. He has an MA in Economics from Punjab University, Chandigarh. His civil service career began in the 1988 batch in the Punjab cadre.
These ministers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Modi government, drawing on their diverse educational backgrounds and extensive professional experiences.
