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{{Short description|President of India from 2017 to 2022}}
{{Redirect|Kovind|his wife|Savita Kovind|text=}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[His Excellency]]
| name               = Ram Nath Kovind
|name = Ram Nath Kovind
| image               = Ram Nath Kovind official portrait.jpg
|image = Ram Nath Kovind official portrait.jpg
| alt                = Kovind wearing a blue suit jacket.
|image_size = 200px
| order              = <!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per [[WP:CONSENSUS]] -->
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1945|10|1|df=y}}
| office              = <!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per [[WP:CONSENSUS]] -->[[President of India]]
|birth_place = Village Paraunkh, [[Derapur]], [[United Provinces (1937–50)|United Provinces]], [[British Raj|British India]] (now in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]])
| term_start          = 25 July 2017
|office = [[List of Presidents of India|14th]] [[President of India]]  
| term_end            = 25 July 2022
|term_start = 25  July 2017
| primeminister      = [[Narendra Modi]]
|primeminister = [[Narendra Modi]]
| vicepresident      = {{ubl|[[Mohammad Hamid Ansari]]|[[Venkaiah Naidu]]}}
|vicepresident = [[Venkaiah Naidu]] {{small|(since August 2017)}}<br>[[Mohammad Hamid Ansari]] {{small|(July–August 2017)}}
| predecessor        = [[Pranab Mukherjee]]
|predecessor = [[Pranab Mukherjee]]
| successor          = [[Droupadi Murmu]]
|office1 = 35th [[Governor of Bihar]]
| order1              = <!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per [[WP:CONSENSUS]] -->
|term_start1 = 16 August 2015
| office1            = <!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per [[WP:CONSENSUS]] -->[[Governor of Bihar]]
|term_end1 = 20 June 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://presidentofindia.nic.in/press-release-detail.htm?2993|title=Press Releases Detail - The President of India|website=presidentofindia.nic.in}}</ref>
| term_start1        = 16 August 2015
|predecessor1 = [[Keshari Nath Tripathi]]
| term_end1          = 21 June 2017
|successor1 = [[Keshari Nath Tripathi]]
| 1blankname1        = Chief Minister
|office2 = [[Member of Parliament]]
| 1namedata1          = [[Nitish Kumar]]
|term_start2 = 3 April 1994
| predecessor1        = [[Keshari Nath Tripathi]]
|term_end2 = 2 April 2006
| successor1          = Keshari Nath Tripathi
| office2            = <!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per [[WP:CONSENSUS]] -->[[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| constituency2      = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh]]
| term_start2        = 3 April 1994
| term_end2          = 2 April 2006
| predecessor2        = [[Subramanian Swamy]]
| successor2          = [[Vinay Katiyar]]
| signature          = Ram Nath Kovind Signature.png
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1945|10|1|df=yes}}
| birth_place         = [[Kanpur Dehat district|Paraunkh]], [[United Provinces (1937–50)|United Provinces]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br />(present-day [[Uttar Pradesh]], India)
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Savita Kovind]]|1974}}
| residence          = {{ubl|12, [[Janpath]], [[New Delhi]]}}<ref>{{cite news |title=A post-Presidential life: Sprawling 12 Janpath bungalow, pension of Rs 1.5 lakh and free travel for life awaits Ram Nath Kovind |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/a-post-presidential-life-sprawling-12-janpath-bungalow-pension-of-rs-1-5-lakh-and-free-travel-for-life-awaits-ram-nath-kovind-10952121.html |work=Firstpost |date=25 July 2022 |access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref>
| children            = 2
| nationality        =
| occupation          = {{hlist|Politician|lawyer}}
| awards              = [[Ram Nath Kovind#Awards and honours|See below]]
| alma_mater          = [[Kanpur University]] ([[B.Com.]], [[LL.B.]])
| party              = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| caption            = Official portrait, 2017
| order2              = <!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per [[WP:CONSENSUS]] -->
}}
 
'''Ram Nath Kovind''' ({{Indic Transl|hi|Rām Nāth Kovind|ɾɑm nɑt̪ʰ koʋɪnd̪}}{{audio|राम नाथ कोविन्द.ogg| }} ; born 1 October 1945) is an Indian politician and lawyer who served as the <!-- Do NOT add counts or ordinals, as per [[WP:CONSENSUS]] --> [[president of India]] from 2017 to 2022. He is the first person from [[Uttar Pradesh]] as well as the first member of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)]] to become the [[president of India]]. Prior to his presidency, he served as the [[Governor of Bihar]] from 2015 to 2017 and as a [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha|Member of Rajya Sabha]] from [[Uttar Pradesh]] for two successive terms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://presidentofindia.nic.in/press-release-detail.htm?2993 |title=Press Releases Detail&nbsp;– The President of India |website=presidentofindia.nic.in |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827223422/http://www.cgkhabar.com/ramnath-kovind-and-muslim-20170620/ |archive-date=27 August 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ram Nath Kovind resigns as Bihar Governor|title=Ram Nath Kovind resigns as Bihar Governor|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-nath-kovind-resigns-as-bihar-governor/article19108472.ece?homepage=true|access-date=20 June 2017|agency=The Hindu|date=20 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008160043/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-nath-kovind-resigns-as-bihar-governor/article19108472.ece?homepage=true|archive-date=8 October 2017}}</ref>  Prior to entering politics, he was a lawyer and he practised in the [[Delhi High Court]] and the [[Supreme Court of India]] until 1993.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind is NDA nominee for President|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-nath-kovind-bihar-governor-is-bjps-nominee-for-president/article19102980.ece|access-date=23 July 2017|agency=The Hindu|work=The Hindu|date=19 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624084504/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-nath-kovind-bihar-governor-is-bjps-nominee-for-president/article19102980.ece |archive-date=24 June 2017}}</ref>
 
== Early life and education ==
Kovind was born to Maiku Lal and Kalawati in a [[Koli people|Koli]] family during the [[British Raj]] on 1 October 1945, in Paraunkh village in the [[Kanpur Dehat district|Kanpur Dehat]] district of [[Uttar Pradesh]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Profile of the President |url=https://presidentofindia.nic.in/profile.htm |website=presidentofindia.nic.in |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205230747/https://presidentofindia.nic.in/profile.htm |archive-date=5 February 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kovind: A choice thrown up by Dalit Hindutva interface |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jun/21/kovind-a-choice-thrown-up-by-dalit-hindutva-interface-1619013.html |access-date=13 December 2021 |website=The New Indian Express |date=21 June 2017 |page=Ram Nath Kovind is a [[Koli people|Koli]] Dalit from [[Uttar Pradesh|UP]] and a lawyer by training. He signifies the aspirational non-[[Jatav]] Dalit middle class that was not too enamoured nor overwhelmed by the anti-Hindutva Ambedkarite outlook seen in the Hindi heartland in the mid-1980s}}</ref> as the youngest of five brothers and two sisters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rashid |first1=Omar |title=Ram Nath Kovind, Paraukh and the road to Raisina Hill |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-nath-kovind-paraukhs-celebrated-son/article19110041.ece |access-date=1 March 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=20 June 2017 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/president-ram-nath-kovind-is-simple-and-soft-spoken-in-personal-life-2349065/|title=President Ram Nath Kovind is Simple And Soft-spoken in Personal Life|work=India.com|date=25 July 2017|access-date=26 November 2022}}</ref> His father Maikulal ran a shop and was also a farmer and a local [[vaidya]] (doctor).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailyo.in/politics/ram-nath-kovind-president-of-india-dalit-paraunkh-modi-meira-kumar-18488|title=From farmer's son to President, Ram Nath Kovind's story is a case of Dalit empowerment|work=DailyO|date=20 July 2017|access-date=26 November 2022}}</ref> His mother Kalawati was a homemaker.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/ram-nath-kovind-biography-1643093196-1 |title=Ram Nath Kovind Biography |work=Dainik Jagran |date=25 January 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022}}</ref> Kovind was born in a mud hut, which eventually collapsed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/india/president-election-2017-ground-report-celebration-at-ramnath-kovinds-house-1727150|title=कानपुर से ग्राउंड रिपोर्ट : रामनाथ कोविंद के गांव में जश्न, लोग गा रहे हैं- मेरे बाबा की भई सरकार|access-date=24 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721050114/https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/india/president-election-2017-ground-report-celebration-at-ramnath-kovinds-house-1727150|archive-date=21 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Hebbar|first=Nistula|date=20 July 2017|title=Ram Nath Kovind's long journey to Raisina Hill|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-nath-kovind-from-a-low-profile-political-career-to-the-highest-office/article19318301.ece|access-date=11 September 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Mohan|first=Archis|date=21 July 2017|title=Ram Nath Kovind's journey from mud house to Rashtrapati Bhavan|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/ram-nath-kovind-s-journey-from-mud-house-to-rashtrapati-bhavan-117072100079_1.html|access-date=11 September 2020}}</ref> He was only five when his mother died of burns when their thatched dwelling caught fire. Kovind later donated the land to the community.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Ram Nath Kovind's journey from a leaking mud-house to the palatial Rashtrapati Bhavan|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/president-elect-ram-nath-kovind-emotional-1025425-2017-07-20 |work=India Today |date=20 July 2017 |access-date=11 September 2020}}</ref>
 
After his elementary school education, he needed to walk each day to Kanpur village, {{Convert|8|km|abbr=on}} away, to attend junior school, as nobody in the village had a bicycle.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.india.com/news/india/nda-presidential-nominee-ram-nath-kovind-would-walk-8-km-daily-for-school-2252102/|title=NDA Presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind would walk 8&nbsp;km daily for school|last=Tiwari|first=Vaibhav|date=20 June 2017|work=India.com|access-date=25 July 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730004336/http://www.india.com/news/india/nda-presidential-nominee-ram-nath-kovind-would-walk-8-km-daily-for-school-2252102/|archive-date=30 July 2017}}</ref> He holds a [[Bachelor's degree|bachelor's]] degree in [[commerce]] and an [[Bachelor of Laws|LLB]] from [[DAV College, Kanpur|DAV College]] (affiliated with [[Kanpur University]]).<ref name=":et">{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ram-nath-kovind-a-crusader-for-the-rights-of-weaker-sections/articleshow/59218717.cms|title=Ram Nath Kovind: A crusader for the rights of weaker sections|last=PTI|date=19 June 2017|work=The Economic Times|access-date=19 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827223422/http://www.cgkhabar.com/ramnath-kovind-and-muslim-20170620/|archive-date=27 August 2017}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bihar-governor-ram-nath-kovind-10-facts-about-ndas-presidential-nominee/articleshow/59216836.cms|title=Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind: 10 facts about NDA's Presidential nominee&nbsp;– Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=19 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827223422/http://www.cgkhabar.com/ramnath-kovind-and-muslim-20170620/|archive-date=27 August 2017}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://governor.bih.nic.in/Governor.htm|title=Governor of Bihar|website=governor.bih.nic.in|access-date=20 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703104500/http://governor.bih.nic.in/Governor.htm|archive-date=3 July 2017}}</ref>
 
== Early career ==
[[File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils plaques for railway bridges in Bihar.jpg|thumb| Governor Kovind at a with Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] and senior leaders at railway flagoff ceremony in [[Bihar]], 2016]]
{{BLP sources section|date=July 2022}}
 
=== Advocate ===
After graduating in law from [[DAV College, Kanpur]], Kovind went to [[Delhi]] to prepare for the civil services examination. He passed this exam on his third attempt, He scored high enough to work in an allied service rather than in [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] and thus started practising law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/know-about-bjps-presidential-candidate-ram-nath-kovind-in-10-points/articleshow/59217524.cms|title=What you should know about BJP's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind|last=PTI|date=19 June 2017|via=The Economic Times|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170718010346/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/know-about-bjps-presidential-candidate-ram-nath-kovind-in-10-points/articleshow/59217524.cms|archive-date=18 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
Kovind enrolled as an advocate in 1971 with the bar council of [[Delhi]]. He was Central Government Advocate in the Delhi High Court from 1977 to 1979. Between 1977 and 1978, he also served as the personal assistant of [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Morarji Desai]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ram-nath-kovind-a-lawyer-who-cracked-civils-but-lost-2-elections/articleshow/59226467.cms|title=Ram Nath Kovind, a lawyer who cracked civils but lost 2 elections&nbsp;– Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170718010835/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ram-nath-kovind-a-lawyer-who-cracked-civils-but-lost-2-elections/articleshow/59226467.cms|archive-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1978, he became an advocate-on-record of the [[Supreme Court of India]] and served as a standing counsel for the [[Central Government]] in the [[Supreme Court of India]] from 1980 to 1993. He practised in the [[Delhi High Court]] and Supreme Court until 1993. As an advocate, he provided [[pro-bono]] aid to weaker sections of society, women and the poor under the Free Legal Aid Society of [[New Delhi]].<ref name=":et" />


|spouse = Savita Kovind (m. 1974)
=== Start of political career ===
|parents = Maiku Lal {{small|(Father)}}<br>Kalawati {{small|(Mother)}}
He joined the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) in 1991.<ref name=":3" /> He was the president of the BJP Dalit Morcha between 1998 and 2002 and the president of the All-India Koli Samaj.{{when|date=July 2017}} He also served as the national spokesperson of the party.{{When|date=July 2021}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hindu.com/2003/01/19/stories/2003011901650400.htm|title=Enact tougher laws to prevent crimes against dalits|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004221814/http://hindu.com/2003/01/19/stories/2003011901650400.htm|archive-date=4 October 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=19 January 2003}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=July 2021}} He donated his ancestral home in Paraunkh to the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]].<ref name=":3" /> Soon after joining the BJP, he contested [[Ghatampur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Ghatampur]] assembly constituency, but lost and later contested [[Bhognipur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Bhognipur]] in 2007 elections (both in [[Uttar Pradesh]]) assembly constituency on the BJP ticket but lost again.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ram Nath Kovind, a lawyer who cracked civils but lost 2 elections|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ram-nath-kovind-a-lawyer-who-cracked-civils-but-lost-2-elections/articleshow/59226467.cms|access-date=24 July 2017|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=20 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170718010835/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ram-nath-kovind-a-lawyer-who-cracked-civils-but-lost-2-elections/articleshow/59226467.cms|archive-date=18 July 2017}}</ref>
|children = Prashant Kumar {{small|(Son)}}<br>Swati {{small|(Daughter)}}
|alma_mater = [[Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University|Kanpur University]]
|party= [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]  
|profession = {{hlist|[[Advocate]]|[[Politician]]}}
}}
'''Ram Nath Kovind'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/support-ramnath-kovind-yogi-appeals-to-opposition/article19103602.ece?src=wiki|title=Support Ram Nath Kovind, Yogi appeals to opposition|last=Rashid|first=Omar|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-06-19|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-nath-kovind-bihar-governor-is-bjps-nominee-for-president/article19102980.ece?src=wiki|title=Who is Ram Nath Kovind?|last=|first=|work=The Hindu|access-date=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref> (born 1 October 1945) is an Indian politician.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-nath-kovind-bihar-governor-is-bjps-nominee-for-president/article19102980.ece|title=Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind is NDA nominee for post of President|last=Desk|first=The Hindu Net|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-06-19|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/presidential-election-2017-bihar-governor-ramnath-kovind-is-the-nda-candidate-says-amit-shah-3712037.html|title=Presidential Election 2017 LIVE: Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind is the NDA candidate, says Amit Shah|date=2017-06-19|work=Firstpost|access-date=2017-06-19|language=en-US}}</ref> Kovind became the 14th [[President of India]] upon winning the [[Indian presidential election, 2017|2017 presidential election]] in July 2017. He is the second president to have been a [[Dalit]] leader<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/20/asia/kovind-india-dalit-president/index.html|title=Man from India's lowest caste elected president|last=CNN|first=Huizhong Wu|website=CNN|date=20 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/presidential-election-bjp-picks-dalit-leader-ram-nath-kovind-as-nominee-congress-rules-out-consensus-4711721/|title=Presidential election: BJP picks Dalit leader Ram Nath Kovind as nominee; Congress rules out consensus|date=2017-06-19|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-06-23|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theweek.in/news/india/ram-nath-kovid-presidential-candidate-nda.html|title=Dalit leader Ram Nath Kovind is NDA presidential candidate|work=theweek.in|access-date=2017-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-governor-and-dalit-leader-ram-nath-kovind-is-nda-s-presidential-candidate-bjp-chief-amit-shah/story-1x2AphQCM3IuNC9hchnO3K.html|title=BJP picks Bihar governor and Dalit leader Ram Nath Kovind as presidential candidate, Modi dials Sonia|date=2017-06-19|website=hindustantimes.com|access-date=2017-06-19|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/190617/prez-polls-bjp-parliamentary-board-to-meet-might-announce-candidate-today.html|title=Bihar Governor, Dalit leader Ram Nath Kovind NDA's prez candidate: Shah|date=2017-06-19|website=deccanchronicle.com|access-date=2017-06-19|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Why NDA chose Bihar Governor Kovind, a Dalit leader, as President nominee|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/why-nda-chose-bihar-governor-kovind-a-dalit-leader-as-president-nominee-117061900618_1.html|website=www.business-standard.com|publisher=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thestatesman.com/india/dalit-leader-ram-nath-kovind-s-run-from-court-to-raisina-hills-1497865988.html|title=Dalit leader Ram Nath Kovind’s run from court to Raisina Hills|work=www.thestatesman.com|access-date=2017-06-23|language=en-US}}</ref> and member of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-3190708/BJP-appoints-OBC-governor-eyeing-backward-votes-Owaisi-hints-jumping-Bihar-fray-woo-Muslims.html|title=BJP appoints Dalit governor eyeing backward votes as Owaisi hints at jumping into Bihar fray to woo Muslims}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150809/jsp/bihar/story_36173.jsp#.VdHox4uUdyw|title=Raj Bhavan for man who shunned TV}}</ref> He was [[Governor of Bihar]] from 2015 to 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ram Nath Kovind resigns as Bihar Governor|title=Ram Nath Kovind resigns as Bihar Governor|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-nath-kovind-resigns-as-bihar-governor/article19108472.ece?homepage=true|accessdate=20 June 2017|agency=The Hindu|date=20 June 2017}}</ref> He served as [[Member of Parliament]] from 1994 through 2006. Ram Nath Kovind is also prez candidate of NDA.


In June 2017, he won the nomination of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] for [[President of India]] in the [[Indian presidential election, 2017|2017 Indian presidential election]]. After winning the nomination, he resigned from his post as Governor of Bihar, and President of India [[Pranab Mukherjee]] accepted his resignation on 20 June 2017.<ref name="Resignation">{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/presidential-election-2017-ram-nath-kovind-resigns-as-bihar-guv-keshari-nath-tripathi-takes-charge-3723635.html|title=Resignation as Governor of Bihar|last=|first=|date=2015-08-20|work=firstpost|access-date=2015-08-20|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en-IN}}</ref> According to polling after voting was closed on 17 July 2017, Kovind was expected to win the presidency with a voting outcome of 99%.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/presidential-elections-2017-ram-nath-kovind-meira-kumar-in-contest-for-top-post-1725494|title=Presidential Election Sees Nearly 99% Voting, Ram Nath Kovind Set For Easy Win: 10 Points|publisher=NDTV|accessdate=17 July 2017}}</ref> Kovind was declared as the winner after the counting of votes held on 20 July 2017.<ref name="rediff.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/president-of-india-kovind-vs-meira/20170720.htm|title=With 65% votes, Ram Nath Kovind is the next President of India - Rediff.com India News|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=2017-07-20}}</ref>
In 1997, Kovind, joined the protest against certain orders from the [[Government of India|central government]] that had adverse effects on the [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|SC/ST]] workers. Later, three amendments were made to the [[Constitution of India|Constitution]] that revoked the orders, by the [[Second Vajpayee ministry|NDA government]] headed by [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ram Nath Kovind is BJP's choice for president: All you need to know about the Dalit leader from UP|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/ramnath-kovind-is-bjps-presidential-pick-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-dalit-leader-form-up-3712909.html|work=Firstpost|date=20 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724070933/http://www.firstpost.com/india/ramnath-kovind-is-bjps-presidential-pick-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-dalit-leader-form-up-3712909.html|archive-date=24 July 2017|access-date=11 March 2021}}</ref>


==Early life==
=== Rajya Sabha ===
Kovind was born into a scheduled caste (Koli community), (Hindu Family), in Parakh Kanpur, Dehat District, Uttar Pradesh, india, to maiikulal kori and kalawati.
He was elected and became a [[Rajya Sabha]] MP from the state of [[Uttar Pradesh]] in April 1994. He served a total of twelve years, two consecutive terms, until March 2006. As a member of parliament, he served on the Parliamentary Committee for Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Tribes, [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Home Affairs]], [[Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas|Petroleum and Natural Gas]], [[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment|Social Justice and Empowerment]], [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Law and Justice]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}} He also served as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha House Committee. During his career as a parliamentarian, under the [[Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme]], he focused on education in rural areas by helping in the construction of school buildings in [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Uttarakhand]]. As a [[member of parliament]], he visited [[Thailand]], [[Nepal]], [[Pakistan]], [[Singapore]], [[Germany]], [[Switzerland]], [[France]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]] on study tours.<ref name=":2" />{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}


His father Maikulal Kori was a local vadiya, who operated a grocery store. His mother was Kalawati who died at a very young age of Kovind,
=== Other appointments ===
He has served on the Board of management of [[Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University|Dr. B.R Ambedkar University]], Lucknow,{{when|date=July 2017}} and on the Board of Governors of [[IIM Calcutta]].{{when|date=July 2017}} He has also represented India at the UN and addressed the United Nations General Assembly in October 2002.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/ramnath-kovind-profile/1079259|title=Ramnath Kovind Profile|date=19 June 2017|work=Outlook|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827223422/http://www.cgkhabar.com/ramnath-kovind-and-muslim-20170620/|archive-date=27 August 2017|url-status=live|language=en-IN}}</ref>


Kovind has 4 brothers and 3 sisters and he is the youngest amongst all of them.
== Governor of Bihar (2015–2017) ==
[[File:Ram Nath Kovind welcoming Pranab Mukherjee at Patna.jpg|alt=H.E the Governor of Bihar Shri Ram Nath Kovind welcoming Hon'ble President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Patna on 17 April 2017|thumb|Governor Ram Nath Kovind of Bihar welcoming President [[Pranab Mukherjee]] at Patna on 17 April 2017]]
On 8 August 2015, President [[Pranab Mukherjee]] appointed Kovind as the [[governor of Bihar]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ram-nath-kovind-acharya-dev-vrat-appointed-as-bihar-and-himachal-pradesh-governors/articleshow/48402785.cms|title=Ram Nath Kovind, Acharya Dev Vrat appointed as Bihar and Himachal Pradesh governors|last=PTI|date=8 August 2015|newspaper=The Economic Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827223422/http://www.cgkhabar.com/ramnath-kovind-and-muslim-20170620/|archive-date=27 August 2017}}</ref> On 16 August 2015, the acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Iqbal Ahmad Ansari, administered the oath to Kovind as the 26th governor of Bihar, in a ceremony at Raj Bhawan in Patna.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ram-nath-kovind-sworn-in-as-new-governor-of-bihar-288556-2015-08-16|title=36th Governor of Bihar|date=16 August 2015|work=indiatoday|access-date=16 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817124935/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ram-nath-kovind-sworn-in-as-new-governor-of-bihar/1/458947.html|archive-date=17 August 2015|url-status=live|language=en-IN}}</ref>


Kovind's appointment was criticised by then [[List of Chief Ministers of Bihar|Chief Minister of Bihar]] [[Nitish Kumar]] as it came months before [[2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election|2015 state Assembly elections]] and the appointment was made without consulting the state government as recommended by [[Sarkaria Commission]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/pm-praises-new-bihar-governor-ram-nath-kovind-31860.html|title=PM Modi praises new Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind|last=PTI|date=19 August 2015|via=India TV News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827223422/http://www.cgkhabar.com/ramnath-kovind-and-muslim-20170620/|archive-date=27 August 2017}}</ref> However, Kovind's term as the governor was praised for constituting a judicial commission to investigate irregularities in promotion of undeserving teachers, mismanagement of funds and appointment of undeserving candidates in universities.<ref name=":3" /> In June 2017, when he was announced as a [[2017 Indian presidential election#Candidates|candidate for presidential election]], Nitish Kumar backed his choice and praised him as being unbiased and working closely with the state government during his governorship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/presidential-election-2017-nitish-kumar-praises-ram-nath-kovind-remains-mum-on-party-support-3713969.html|title=Presidential Election 2017: Nitish Kumar praises Ram Nath Kovind, remains mum on party support|last=IANS|date=19 June 2017|via=First Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729002117/http://www.firstpost.com/india/presidential-election-2017-nitish-kumar-praises-ram-nath-kovind-remains-mum-on-party-support-3713969.html|archive-date=29 July 2017}}</ref>


Kovind grew up in humble circumstances in a small agrarian village where his father farmed and ran a small grocery store. His mother died when he was a young child. After earning degrees in commerce and law from Kanpur University, he moved to Delhi in order to take the civil services examination. Although he passed, Kovind chose to begin practicing law and was admitted to the bar in 1971.
== Presidential election ==
{{Main|2017 Indian presidential election}}
After nomination for the post of 14th president of India, he resigned from his post as the [[governor of Bihar]], and the President of India, [[Pranab Mukherjee]], accepted his resignation on 20 June 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 August 2015|title=Resignation as Governor of Bihar|language=en-IN|work=firstpost|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/presidential-election-2017-ram-nath-kovind-resigns-as-bihar-guv-keshari-nath-tripathi-takes-charge-3723635.html|url-status=live|access-date=20 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827223418/http://www.firstpost.com/india/presidential-election-2017-ram-nath-kovind-resigns-as-bihar-guv-keshari-nath-tripathi-takes-charge-3723635.html|archive-date=27 August 2017}}</ref> He won the election on 20 July 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ram Nath Kovind is the 14th President of India|language=en|work=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nda-candidate-ram-nath-kovind-is-the-14th-president-of-india/article19316904.ece|url-status=live|access-date=20 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720134017/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nda-candidate-ram-nath-kovind-is-the-14th-president-of-india/article19316904.ece|archive-date=20 July 2017}}</ref>


==Early career==
Kovind received 65.65% of the valid votes, against former [[Speaker of the Lok Sabha]], [[Meira Kumar]], the presidential candidate of the [[United Progressive Alliance|Opposition]] who received 34.35%. Kovind received 2,930 votes (From MPs and MLAs) amounting to [[Electoral College (India)|Electoral College]] votes of 702,044 (65.65%) as compared to 1,844 votes with a value of 367,314 (34.35%) votes for Meira Kumar lagging far behind with 367,314 votes, and 77 votes were invalid.<ref>{{cite news|date=21 July 2017|title=With 65 percent votes, Kovind sweeps elections|work=[[Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/with-65-65-percent-of-votes-nda-candidate-ram-nath-kovind-sweeps-presidential-poll/articleshow/59682784.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721124957/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/with-65-65-percent-of-votes-nda-candidate-ram-nath-kovind-sweeps-presidential-poll/articleshow/59682784.cms|archive-date=21 July 2017}}</ref> He is the first [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] candidate with RSS background to be elected to the post.<ref>{{cite news|date=21 July 2017|title=Kovind first President from Sangh, cross-voting boosts margin|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kovind-first-president-from-sangh-cross-voting-boosts-margin/articleshow/59691040.cms|url-status=live|access-date=23 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723104644/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kovind-first-president-from-sangh-cross-voting-boosts-margin/articleshow/59691040.cms|archive-date=23 July 2017}}</ref> The tally of votes (367,314) polled by Meira Kumar is only the second-highest for a losing candidate, that of [[Neelam Sanjiva Reddy]] in the 1969 presidential elections being the highest ever; he received 405,427 votes as against 420,077 by [[V. V. Giri]], the winner.
=== Advocate ===
After graduating in law from [[DAV College, Kanpur]], Kovind went to [[Delhi]] to prepare for the civil services examination. He passed this exam on his third attempt, but he did not join because he had only scored high enough to work in an allied service rather than in [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] and thus started practising law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/know-about-bjps-presidential-candidate-ram-nath-kovind-in-10-points/articleshow/59217524.cms|title=What you should know about BJP's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind|last=PTI|date=19 June 2017|via=The Economic Times|archive-url=https://archive.is/20170718010346/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/know-about-bjps-presidential-candidate-ram-nath-kovind-in-10-points/articleshow/59217524.cms|archive-date=18 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>


=== BJP member ===
== President of India (2017–2022) ==
He joined the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in 1991. He was President of the [[BJP SC Morcha|BJP Dalit Morcha]] between 1998 and 2002 and President of the All-India [[Koli People|Koli]] Samaj. He also served as national spokesperson of the party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hindu.com/2003/01/19/stories/2003011901650400.htm|title=Enact tougher laws to prevent crimes against dalits|publisher=The Hindu}}</ref> He donated his ancestral home in Derapur to the RSS. He contested from [[Ghatampur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Ghatampur]] and [[Bhognipur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Bhognipur]] (both in [[Uttar Pradesh|UP]]) assembly constituencies on the BJP ticket but lost both elections.
[[File:The Chief Justice of India, Shri Justice J.S. Khehar administering the oath of the office of the President of India to Shri Ram Nath Kovind, at a swearing-in ceremony in the central hall of Parliament, in New Delhi.jpg|thumb|[[J. S. Khehar]], Chief Justice of India, administering the oath of the office to President-elect Kovind, at a swearing-in ceremony in the central hall of the Samvidhan Sadan, in New Delhi in 2017]]
{{Main|Presidency of Ram Nath Kovind}}
Kovind took the oath as the 14th president of India on 25 July 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 July 2017|title=Ram Nath Kovind takes oath as India's 14th President|url=https://indtoday.com/ram-nath-kovind-takes-oath-as-indias-14th-president/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728175405/http://indtoday.com/ram-nath-kovind-takes-oath-as-indias-14th-president/|archive-date=28 July 2017|access-date=16 June 2021|website=indtoday.com}}</ref> In his 5-year term he addressed the [[Parliament of India]] five times. First address was upon taking oath, and subsequent four addresses were to joint sitting of both houses from 2018 to 2021. Kovind in his tenure administered oath of office to three [[Chief Justice of India|Chief Justices of India]] and 29 other judges of [[Supreme Court of India]]. He was succeeded by [[Droupadi Murmu]] on 21 July 2022.


=== Rajya Sabha (1994–2006)===
==Post presidency==
[[File:Ram Nath Kovind 2.png|thumb|right|180px|Kovind in October 2016]]
He was elected and became a Rajya Sabha MP from the state of [[Uttar Pradesh]] in April 1994. He served a total of twelve years, two consecutive terms, until March 2006. As a member of parliament, he visited Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom and the United States on study tours.


===Governor of Bihar (2015–2017)===
===Kovind Committee ===
On 8 August 2015, the President of India appointed Kovind as [[Governor of Bihar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ram-nath-kovind-acharya-dev-vrat-appointed-as-bihar-and-himachal-pradesh-governors/articleshow/48402785.cms|title=Ram Nath Kovind, Acharya Dev Vrat appointed as Bihar and Himachal Pradesh governors|last=PTI|first=|date=8 August 2015|publisher=|via=The Economic Times}}</ref> On 16 August 2015, the acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court, [[Iqbal Ahmad Ansari]], administered the oath to Kovind as the 36th Governor of Bihar.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ram-nath-kovind-sworn-in-as-new-governor-of-bihar/1/458947.html|title=36th Governor of Bihar|last=|first=|date=2015-08-16|work=indiatoday|access-date=2015-08-16|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en-IN}}</ref>
In September 2023, the [[Government of India]] formed an 8-member committee chaired by Kovind to suggest changes to the constitution for the implementation of "[[One Nation, One Election]]". The primary objective of this committee was to examine and propose specific amendments to the [[Representation of the People Act, 1951]], and any other relevant laws and regulations to enable simultaneous elections in the country.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former President Ram Nath Kovind to lead panel on 'one nation, one election' |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/politics/story/former-president-ram-nath-kovind-to-lead-panel-on-one-nation-one-election-396625-2023-09-02 |work=Business Today |date=2 September 2023 |access-date=14 March 2024}}</ref>
As Governor, he was praised for constituting a judicial commission to investigate irregularities in promotion of undeserving teachers, mis-management of funds and appointment of undeserving candidates in universities.<ref name=":3" />


Kovind resigned as Governor on 20 June 2017 to peruse his campaign for [[President of India]] in the [[Indian presidential election, 2017|2017 presidential election]].<ref name="Resignation"/>
In March 2024, his panel submitted an extensive report (over 18,000 pages) recommending synchronised elections across all government levels– [[Lok Sabha]], State Assemblies, and local bodies.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phukan |first=Sandeep |date=14 March 2024 |title=Ram Nath Kovind panel for simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly polls |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-nath-kovind-led-panel-on-one-nation-one-election-submits-report-to-president/article67949680.ece |work=The Hindu |issn=0971-751X |access-date=15 August 2025}}</ref>


==Presidency (since 2017)==
===Later political life ===
===2017 presidential campaign===
On 2 October 2025, Kovind, along with RSS Sarsanghchalak [[Mohan Bhagwat]], attended the centenary event of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] at Nagpur.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RSS at 100 {{!}} Former President Ram Nath KovindAt the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Vijayadashami |url=https://www.vsktelangana.org/Encyc/2025/10/2/former-president-of-india-ram-nath-kovind-centenary-of-the-rashtriya-swayamsevak-sangh-rss.html |access-date=13 January 2026 |website=www.vsktelangana.org |language=en}}</ref> He became the second president after [[Pranab Mukherjee]] to attend an event of the RSS.
{{main|Indian presidential election, 2017}}
Kovind was nominated for the President of India for the Bharatiya Janata Party in June 2017 which led to his resignation as [[Governor of Bihar]].<ref name="Resignation"/> His opponent is former [[Lok Sabha]] Speaker [[Meira Kumar]] for the [[Indian National Congress]].<ref name="DNAIndia">{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-prez-poll-close-to-99-voting-recorded-bjp-confident-of-victory-for-ram-nath-kovind-2505507|title=Prez Poll: Close to 99% voting recorded, BJP confident of victory for Ram Nath Kovind|publisher=DNAIndia|accessdate=17 July 2017}}</ref>


After voting ended on 17 July 2017, it was reported that Kovind was expected to win the presidency once results are announced on 20 July 2017 according to voting poll numbers.<ref name="Independent">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/ram-nath-kovind-india-untouchable-dalit-class-president-win-a7845431.html|title=Ram Nath Kovind: Man from India's 'Untouchable' Dalit caste expected become the president|publisher=[[Independent (newspaper)|Independent]]|accessdate=17 July 2017}}</ref>
Kovind unveiled his autobiography titled ''Triumph of the Indian Republic—My Life, My Struggles'' on his 80th birthday.{{citation needed|date=January 2026}}


Kovind was declared as the winner after the counting of votes held on 20 July 2017.<ref name="rediff.com"/> He will be administered oath by the Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, as The 14th President of India on 25 July 2017 at The Central Hall located in The Parliament House, New Delhi.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ram-nath-kovind-elected-india-14th-president/1/1006696.html|title=Ram Nath Kovind elected Indias 14th President, to take oath on July 25|access-date=2017-07-20}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
[[File:The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind opens the annual “Udyanotsav” of the Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on February 05, 2018. The First Lady of India, Smt. Savita Kovind is also seen (2).jpg|thumb|President Kovind with his wife [[Savita Kovind|First Lady Savita Kovind]]]]
Kovind married [[Savita Kovind|Savita]] on 30 May 1974. They have a son, Prashant Kumar, and a daughter, Swati who is an air hostess for [[Air India]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news |title=President's Daughter Moved To Ground Duties at Air India For Security Reasons |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/presidents-daughter-swati-gets-ground-role-at-air-india-for-security-reasons-1774490 |access-date=20 March 2020 |work=NDTV.com |date=12 November 2017}}</ref>


Kovind secured roughly two-thirds of the votes from the [[Electoral College (India)|electoral college]] of elected members of federal, state and union territory legislatures and was elected to a five-year term as [[President of India|President]].<ref name="TH_results1">{{cite news|title=Ram Nath Kovind is the 14th President of India|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nda-candidate-ram-nath-kovind-is-the-14th-president-of-india/article19316904.ece?homepage=true|accessdate=21 July 2017|work=The Hindu|date=21 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> Kovind's term of office will begin on 25 July 2017.
==Political positions==
In 2010, he was reported to have said that "[[Islam]] and [[Christianity]] are alien to the nation" as spokesperson of the BJP.<ref>{{cite news|title=Why is India's next president so unknown?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/40344572|work=BBC |date=20 July 2017 |access-date=20 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721060743/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/40344572|archive-date=21 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=When NDA Presidential pick Kovind said Islam, Christianity are alien to India|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jun/20/when-nda-presidential-pick-kovind-said-islam-christianity-are-alien-to-india-1618873.html |date=20 June 2017 |work=The New Indian Express|access-date=20 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728210110/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jun/20/when-nda-presidential-pick-kovind-said-islam-christianity-are-alien-to-india-1618873.html|archive-date=28 July 2017}}</ref> As reported by ''[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]'' and published by ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', he made this comment in response to the [[National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities|Ranganath Misra Commission]] which recommended 15 per cent reservation for religious and linguistic minorities in government jobs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Islam, Christianity alien, so cannot get quota: BJP|url=http://hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/islam-christianity-alien-so-cannot-get-quota-bjp/story-6uQb8s0QywnDq6ib60QceK.html |date=26 March 2010 |work=Hindustan Times|access-date=20 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827223422/http://www.cgkhabar.com/ramnath-kovind-and-muslim-20170620/|archive-date=27 August 2017}}</ref> Although more recently, the issue was raised in the media if whether or not he was misquoted and that he in fact said "Islam and Christianity are alien to the notion (of [[Caste system in India|caste]])" as opposed to what was reported as 'nation'.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ram Nath Kovind's 'Islam, Christianity' statement triggers nation vs notion row|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ram-nath-kovind-s-2010-statement-on-islam-christianity-back-again-triggers-nation-vs-notion-row/story-Do2uyDIb2orE0fa1Mho7sJ.html|access-date=24 July 2017|work=Hindustan Times|date=27 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725140428/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ram-nath-kovind-s-2010-statement-on-islam-christianity-back-again-triggers-nation-vs-notion-row/story-Do2uyDIb2orE0fa1Mho7sJ.html|archive-date=25 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cgkhabar.com/ramnath-kovind-and-muslim-20170620/|title=ईसाइयों और मुसलमानों पर कोविन्द के चौंकाने वाले विचार|date=20 June 2017|access-date=24 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827223422/http://www.cgkhabar.com/ramnath-kovind-and-muslim-20170620/|archive-date=27 August 2017|work=Chhattisgarh Khabar}}</ref>


=== Tenure ===
== Awards and honours ==
Kovind was sworn-in as [[President of India]] on 25 July 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://indtoday.com/ram-nath-kovind-takes-oath-as-indias-14th-president/ |title=Ram Nath Kovind takes oath as India’s 14th President |date=2017-07-25 |website=indtoday.com}}</ref>
*{{flag|Madagascar}}:
**[[File:MDG National Order - Grand Cross 2nd Class BAR.png|50px]] [[National Order of Madagascar]], ''Grand Cross 2nd Class'' (14 March 2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/29637/press+release+on+state+visit+of+president+to+madagascar+march+1415+2018|title=Press Release on State Visit of President to Madagascar (March 14–15, 2018)|access-date=1 June 2019}}</ref>
*{{flag|Equatorial Guinea}}:
**[[File:Ordine dell'Indipendenza (Guinea Equatoriale).png|50px]] Order of Independence, ''Grand Collar'' (8 April 2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mea.gov.in/outoging-visit-detail.htm?29807/IndiaEquatorial+Guinea+Joint+Statement+during+the+State+Visit+of+President+of+India+to+Equatorial+Guinea|title=India-Equatorial Guinea Joint Statement during the State Visit of President of India to Equatorial Guinea |access-date=14 June 2019}}</ref>
*{{flag|Eswatini}}:
**[[File:Royal Order of the Crown (Swaziland).gif|50px]] [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Eswatini|Order of the Lion]], ''Collar'' (9 April 2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/29805/IndiaSwaziland_Joint_Statement_during_State_Visit_of_President_to_Swaziland_April_910_2018|title= India-Swaziland Joint Statement during State Visit of President to Swaziland (April 9–10, 2018)|work= Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India|access-date=14 June 2019}}</ref>
*{{flag|Croatia}}:
**[[File:Ribbon of an order of king Tomislav.png|50px]] [[Grand Order of King Tomislav]] (26 March 2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/31177/press+statement+by+president+during+state+visit+to+croatia|title= Press Statement by President during State Visit to Croatia|work= Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India|access-date=26 March 2019}}</ref>
*{{flag|Bolivia}}:
**[[File:BOL Order of Condor of the Andes - Grand Cross BAR.png|50px]] [[Order of the Condor of the Andes]], ''Grand Collar'' (26 March 2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/31191/Press+Statement+by+President+during+State+Visit+to+Bolivia|title= Press Statement by President during State Visit to Bolivia|work= Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India|access-date=29 March 2019}}</ref>
*{{flag|Guinea}}:
**[[File:National Order of Merit - Grand Cross (Guinea).png|50px]] [[National Order of Merit (Guinea)|National Order of Merit]], ''Grand Cross'' (3 August 2019)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/president-ram-nath-kovind-honoured-guinea-highest-award-1576959-2019-08-04|title=President Ram Nath Kovind honoured with Guinea's highest award|date=4 August 2019|work=India Today|access-date=21 September 2019|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001213/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/president-ram-nath-kovind-honoured-guinea-highest-award-1576959-2019-08-04|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear}}


==Personal life==
== See also ==
Kovind married Savita Kovind in 1974. They have a son, Prashant Kumar, and a daughter, Swati Kovind.
* [[Presidency of Ram Nath Kovind]]
* [[President of India]]
{{Clear}}


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|30em}}


==Other websites==
== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline}}


{{commonscat}}
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* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ram-nath-kovind-will-win-comfortably-bjp-kumar-best-choice-opposition/articleshow/59630767.cms Ram Nath Kovind will win comfortably: BJP] at [[Times of India]]
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{{s-bef|before=[[Pranab Mukherjee]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of India]]|years=2017–2022}}
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{{Presidents of India}}
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[[Category:1945 births]]
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{{simple-Wikipedia}}

Latest revision as of 06:25, 17 January 2026


"Kovind" redirects here. For his wife, see Savita Kovind.

Ram Nath Kovind
Kovind wearing a blue suit jacket.
Official portrait, 2017
President of India
In office
25 July 2017 – 25 July 2022
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Vice President
Preceded byPranab Mukherjee
Succeeded byDroupadi Murmu
Governor of Bihar
In office
16 August 2015 – 21 June 2017
Chief MinisterNitish Kumar
Preceded byKeshari Nath Tripathi
Succeeded byKeshari Nath Tripathi
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
3 April 1994 – 2 April 2006
Preceded bySubramanian Swamy
Succeeded byVinay Katiyar
ConstituencyUttar Pradesh
Personal details
Born (1945-10-01) 1 October 1945 (age 80)
Paraunkh, United Provinces, British India
(present-day Uttar Pradesh, India)
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)
(
m. 1974)
Children2
Residence
[1]
Alma materKanpur University (B.Com., LL.B.)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer
AwardsSee below
SignatureError creating thumbnail: File missing

Ram Nath Kovind (Template:Indic TranslAbout this sound  (help·info) ; born 1 October 1945) is an Indian politician and lawyer who served as the president of India from 2017 to 2022. He is the first person from Uttar Pradesh as well as the first member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to become the president of India. Prior to his presidency, he served as the Governor of Bihar from 2015 to 2017 and as a Member of Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh for two successive terms.[2][3] Prior to entering politics, he was a lawyer and he practised in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India until 1993.[4]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Kovind was born to Maiku Lal and Kalawati in a Koli family during the British Raj on 1 October 1945, in Paraunkh village in the Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh,[5][6] as the youngest of five brothers and two sisters.[7][8] His father Maikulal ran a shop and was also a farmer and a local vaidya (doctor).[9] His mother Kalawati was a homemaker.[10] Kovind was born in a mud hut, which eventually collapsed.[11][12][13] He was only five when his mother died of burns when their thatched dwelling caught fire. Kovind later donated the land to the community.[14]

After his elementary school education, he needed to walk each day to Kanpur village, 8 km (5.0 mi) away, to attend junior school, as nobody in the village had a bicycle.[15] He holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and an LLB from DAV College (affiliated with Kanpur University).[16][17][18]

Early career[edit | edit source]

Governor Kovind at a with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leaders at railway flagoff ceremony in Bihar, 2016

Advocate[edit | edit source]

After graduating in law from DAV College, Kanpur, Kovind went to Delhi to prepare for the civil services examination. He passed this exam on his third attempt, He scored high enough to work in an allied service rather than in IAS and thus started practising law.[19]

Kovind enrolled as an advocate in 1971 with the bar council of Delhi. He was Central Government Advocate in the Delhi High Court from 1977 to 1979. Between 1977 and 1978, he also served as the personal assistant of Prime Minister of India Morarji Desai.[20] In 1978, he became an advocate-on-record of the Supreme Court of India and served as a standing counsel for the Central Government in the Supreme Court of India from 1980 to 1993. He practised in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court until 1993. As an advocate, he provided pro-bono aid to weaker sections of society, women and the poor under the Free Legal Aid Society of New Delhi.[16]

Start of political career[edit | edit source]

He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1991.[20] He was the president of the BJP Dalit Morcha between 1998 and 2002 and the president of the All-India Koli Samaj.[when?] He also served as the national spokesperson of the party.[when?][21][failed verification] He donated his ancestral home in Paraunkh to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.[20] Soon after joining the BJP, he contested Ghatampur assembly constituency, but lost and later contested Bhognipur in 2007 elections (both in Uttar Pradesh) assembly constituency on the BJP ticket but lost again.[22]

In 1997, Kovind, joined the protest against certain orders from the central government that had adverse effects on the SC/ST workers. Later, three amendments were made to the Constitution that revoked the orders, by the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.[23]

Rajya Sabha[edit | edit source]

He was elected and became a Rajya Sabha MP from the state of Uttar Pradesh in April 1994. He served a total of twelve years, two consecutive terms, until March 2006. As a member of parliament, he served on the Parliamentary Committee for Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Tribes, Home Affairs, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Social Justice and Empowerment, Law and Justice.[citation needed] He also served as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha House Committee. During his career as a parliamentarian, under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme, he focused on education in rural areas by helping in the construction of school buildings in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. As a member of parliament, he visited Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States on study tours.[17][citation needed]

Other appointments[edit | edit source]

He has served on the Board of management of Dr. B.R Ambedkar University, Lucknow,[when?] and on the Board of Governors of IIM Calcutta.[when?] He has also represented India at the UN and addressed the United Nations General Assembly in October 2002.[24]

Governor of Bihar (2015–2017)[edit | edit source]

H.E the Governor of Bihar Shri Ram Nath Kovind welcoming Hon'ble President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Patna on 17 April 2017
Governor Ram Nath Kovind of Bihar welcoming President Pranab Mukherjee at Patna on 17 April 2017

On 8 August 2015, President Pranab Mukherjee appointed Kovind as the governor of Bihar.[25] On 16 August 2015, the acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Iqbal Ahmad Ansari, administered the oath to Kovind as the 26th governor of Bihar, in a ceremony at Raj Bhawan in Patna.[26]

Kovind's appointment was criticised by then Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar as it came months before 2015 state Assembly elections and the appointment was made without consulting the state government as recommended by Sarkaria Commission.[27] However, Kovind's term as the governor was praised for constituting a judicial commission to investigate irregularities in promotion of undeserving teachers, mismanagement of funds and appointment of undeserving candidates in universities.[20] In June 2017, when he was announced as a candidate for presidential election, Nitish Kumar backed his choice and praised him as being unbiased and working closely with the state government during his governorship.[28]

Presidential election[edit | edit source]

Main article: 2017 Indian presidential election

After nomination for the post of 14th president of India, he resigned from his post as the governor of Bihar, and the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, accepted his resignation on 20 June 2017.[29] He won the election on 20 July 2017.[30]

Kovind received 65.65% of the valid votes, against former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar, the presidential candidate of the Opposition who received 34.35%. Kovind received 2,930 votes (From MPs and MLAs) amounting to Electoral College votes of 702,044 (65.65%) as compared to 1,844 votes with a value of 367,314 (34.35%) votes for Meira Kumar lagging far behind with 367,314 votes, and 77 votes were invalid.[31] He is the first BJP candidate with RSS background to be elected to the post.[32] The tally of votes (367,314) polled by Meira Kumar is only the second-highest for a losing candidate, that of Neelam Sanjiva Reddy in the 1969 presidential elections being the highest ever; he received 405,427 votes as against 420,077 by V. V. Giri, the winner.

President of India (2017–2022)[edit | edit source]

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
J. S. Khehar, Chief Justice of India, administering the oath of the office to President-elect Kovind, at a swearing-in ceremony in the central hall of the Samvidhan Sadan, in New Delhi in 2017
Main article: Presidency of Ram Nath Kovind

Kovind took the oath as the 14th president of India on 25 July 2017.[33] In his 5-year term he addressed the Parliament of India five times. First address was upon taking oath, and subsequent four addresses were to joint sitting of both houses from 2018 to 2021. Kovind in his tenure administered oath of office to three Chief Justices of India and 29 other judges of Supreme Court of India. He was succeeded by Droupadi Murmu on 21 July 2022.

Post presidency[edit | edit source]

Kovind Committee[edit | edit source]

In September 2023, the Government of India formed an 8-member committee chaired by Kovind to suggest changes to the constitution for the implementation of "One Nation, One Election". The primary objective of this committee was to examine and propose specific amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and any other relevant laws and regulations to enable simultaneous elections in the country.[34]

In March 2024, his panel submitted an extensive report (over 18,000 pages) recommending synchronised elections across all government levels– Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies.[35]

Later political life[edit | edit source]

On 2 October 2025, Kovind, along with RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, attended the centenary event of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at Nagpur.[36] He became the second president after Pranab Mukherjee to attend an event of the RSS.

Kovind unveiled his autobiography titled Triumph of the Indian Republic—My Life, My Struggles on his 80th birthday.[citation needed]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

President Kovind with his wife First Lady Savita Kovind

Kovind married Savita on 30 May 1974. They have a son, Prashant Kumar, and a daughter, Swati who is an air hostess for Air India.[18][37]

Political positions[edit | edit source]

In 2010, he was reported to have said that "Islam and Christianity are alien to the nation" as spokesperson of the BJP.[38][39] As reported by IANS and published by Hindustan Times, he made this comment in response to the Ranganath Misra Commission which recommended 15 per cent reservation for religious and linguistic minorities in government jobs.[40] Although more recently, the issue was raised in the media if whether or not he was misquoted and that he in fact said "Islam and Christianity are alien to the notion (of caste)" as opposed to what was reported as 'nation'.[41][42]

Awards and honours[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "A post-Presidential life: Sprawling 12 Janpath bungalow, pension of Rs 1.5 lakh and free travel for life awaits Ram Nath Kovind". Firstpost. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  2. ↑ "Press Releases Detail – The President of India". presidentofindia.nic.in. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017.
  3. ↑ Ram Nath Kovind resigns as Bihar Governor (20 June 2017). "Ram Nath Kovind resigns as Bihar Governor". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind is NDA nominee for President". The Hindu. The Hindu. 19 June 2017. Archived from the original on 24 June 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  5. ↑ "Profile of the President". presidentofindia.nic.in. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  6. ↑ "Kovind: A choice thrown up by Dalit Hindutva interface". The New Indian Express. 21 June 2017. p. Ram Nath Kovind is a Koli Dalit from UP and a lawyer by training. He signifies the aspirational non-Jatav Dalit middle class that was not too enamoured nor overwhelmed by the anti-Hindutva Ambedkarite outlook seen in the Hindi heartland in the mid-1980s. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  7. ↑ Rashid, Omar (20 June 2017). "Ram Nath Kovind, Paraukh and the road to Raisina Hill". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "President Ram Nath Kovind is Simple And Soft-spoken in Personal Life". India.com. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  9. ↑ "From farmer's son to President, Ram Nath Kovind's story is a case of Dalit empowerment". DailyO. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  10. ↑ "Ram Nath Kovind Biography". Dainik Jagran. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  11. ↑ "कानपुर से ग्राउंड रिपोर्ट : रामनाथ कोविंद के गांव में जश्न, लोग गा रहे हैं- मेरे बाबा की भई सरकार". Archived from the original on 21 July 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  12. ↑ Hebbar, Nistula (20 July 2017). "Ram Nath Kovind's long journey to Raisina Hill". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  13. ↑ Mohan, Archis (21 July 2017). "Ram Nath Kovind's journey from mud house to Rashtrapati Bhavan". Business Standard India. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  14. ↑ "Ram Nath Kovind's journey from a leaking mud-house to the palatial Rashtrapati Bhavan". India Today. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  15. ↑ Tiwari, Vaibhav (20 June 2017). "NDA Presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind would walk 8 km daily for school". India.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 PTI (19 June 2017). "Ram Nath Kovind: A crusader for the rights of weaker sections". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind: 10 facts about NDA's Presidential nominee – Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Governor of Bihar". governor.bih.nic.in. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  19. ↑ PTI (19 June 2017). "What you should know about BJP's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind" – via The Economic Times.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 "Ram Nath Kovind, a lawyer who cracked civils but lost 2 elections – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 June 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  21. ↑ "Enact tougher laws to prevent crimes against dalits". The Hindu. 19 January 2003. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011.
  22. ↑ "Ram Nath Kovind, a lawyer who cracked civils but lost 2 elections". The Times of India. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  23. ↑ "Ram Nath Kovind is BJP's choice for president: All you need to know about the Dalit leader from UP". Firstpost. 20 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  24. ↑ "Ramnath Kovind Profile". Outlook. 19 June 2017. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  25. ↑ PTI (8 August 2015). "Ram Nath Kovind, Acharya Dev Vrat appointed as Bihar and Himachal Pradesh governors". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017.
  26. ↑ "36th Governor of Bihar". indiatoday. 16 August 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  27. ↑ PTI (19 August 2015). "PM Modi praises new Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind". Archived from the original on 27 August 2017 – via India TV News.
  28. ↑ IANS (19 June 2017). "Presidential Election 2017: Nitish Kumar praises Ram Nath Kovind, remains mum on party support". Archived from the original on 29 July 2017 – via First Post.
  29. ↑ "Resignation as Governor of Bihar". firstpost. 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  30. ↑ "Ram Nath Kovind is the 14th President of India". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  31. ↑ "With 65 percent votes, Kovind sweeps elections". Times of India. 21 July 2017. Archived from the original on 21 July 2017.
  32. ↑ "Kovind first President from Sangh, cross-voting boosts margin". The Times of India. 21 July 2017. Archived from the original on 23 July 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  33. ↑ "Ram Nath Kovind takes oath as India's 14th President". indtoday.com. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  34. ↑ "Former President Ram Nath Kovind to lead panel on 'one nation, one election'". Business Today. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  35. ↑ Phukan, Sandeep (14 March 2024). "Ram Nath Kovind panel for simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly polls". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  36. ↑ "RSS at 100 | Former President Ram Nath KovindAt the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Vijayadashami". www.vsktelangana.org. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  37. ↑ "President's Daughter Moved To Ground Duties at Air India For Security Reasons". NDTV.com. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  38. ↑ "Why is India's next president so unknown?". BBC. 20 July 2017. Archived from the original on 21 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  39. ↑ "When NDA Presidential pick Kovind said Islam, Christianity are alien to India". The New Indian Express. 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  40. ↑ "Islam, Christianity alien, so cannot get quota: BJP". Hindustan Times. 26 March 2010. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  41. ↑ "Ram Nath Kovind's 'Islam, Christianity' statement triggers nation vs notion row". Hindustan Times. 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  42. ↑ "ईसाइयों और मुसलमानों पर कोविन्द के चौंकाने वाले विचार". Chhattisgarh Khabar. 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  43. ↑ "Press Release on State Visit of President to Madagascar (March 14–15, 2018)". Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  44. ↑ "India-Equatorial Guinea Joint Statement during the State Visit of President of India to Equatorial Guinea". Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  45. ↑ "India-Swaziland Joint Statement during State Visit of President to Swaziland (April 9–10, 2018)". Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  46. ↑ "Press Statement by President during State Visit to Croatia". Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  47. ↑ "Press Statement by President during State Visit to Bolivia". Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  48. ↑ "President Ram Nath Kovind honoured with Guinea's highest award". India Today. 4 August 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2019.

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Preceded by
Subramanian Swamy 		Member of Parliament
for Uttar Pradesh
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Vinay Katiyar
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Keshari Nath Tripathi 		Governor of Bihar
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Keshari Nath Tripathi
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Pranab Mukherjee 		President of India
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Droupadi Murmu

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