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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{short description|9th Chief Minister of Nagaland since 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2022}}
{{Family name hatnote|[[Rio (surname)#Naga family name|Rio]]|lang=Angami}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Neiphiu Rio
| name                = Neiphiu Rio
| image              = The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri Neiphiu Rio addressing at the inauguration of the World Bamboo Day function, at Kisama Heritage Village, in Kohima, Nagaland on September 18, 2010.jpg
| image              = NeiphiuRio.jpg
| caption            = Rio in 2010
| birth_name          = Neiphiu Guolhoulie Rio
| birth_name          = Neiphiu Guolhoulie Rio
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1950|11|11}}
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1950|11|11}}
| birth_place        = [[Tuophema]], [[Naga Hills District, British India|Naga Hills District]], [[Assam]], [[India]] <br/> ''{{small|(Now in [[Kohima district|Kohima District]], [[Nagaland]], India)}}''
| birth_place        = [[Naga Hills District, British India|Tuophema]], [[Assam (1947-1963)|Assam]], India <br/>(present-day [[Kohima district]], [[Nagaland]])
| residence          0= [[Sovima]], [[Chümoukedima district|Chümoukedima District]], Nagaland
| residence          = [[Kohima]]
| death_date          =  
| death_date          =  
| death_place        =  
| death_place        =  
| office              = 9th [[Chief Minister of Nagaland]]
| order              = 7th
| constituency        = [[Northern Angami-II]]
| subterm            = '''Cabinet'''
| deputy              = [[Yanthungo Patton]]
| suboffice          = {{hlist|[[Fourth Rio ministry|Rio IV]]|[[Fifth Rio ministry|Rio V]]}}
| office              = Chief Minister of Nagaland
| constituency        =            
| deputy              = {{ubl|[[T. R. Zeliang]] (since 2023)|[[Y. Patton]] (since 2018)}}
| termstart          = 8 March 2018
| termstart          = 8 March 2018
| termend            =  
| termend            =  
| predecessor        = [[T. R. Zeliang]]
| predecessor        = [[T. R. Zeliang]]
| governor            = * [[Padmanabha Acharya]]
| governor            = {{ubl|[[Padmanabha Acharya]] (2014–2019)|[[R. N. Ravi]] (2019–2021)|[[Jagdish Mukhi]] ''{{small|(additional charge; 2021-2023)}}''|[[La. Ganesan]] (2023-2025)|[[Ajay Kumar Bhalla]] ''{{small|(additional charge; from 2025)}}''}}
* [[R. N. Ravi]]
| governor1          = {{ubl|[[K. Sankaranarayanan]] (2008)|[[Gurbachan Jagat]] (2008-2009)|[[Nikhil Kumar (governor)|Nikhil Kumar]] (2009-2013)|[[Ashwani Kumar (police officer)|Ashwani Kumar]] (2013-2014)}}
* [[Jagdish Mukhi]]
| governor2          = [[Shyamal Datta]]
| constituency1      =  
| termstart1          = 12 March 2008
| termstart1          = 12 March 2008
| termend1            = 24 May 2014
| termend1            = 24 May 2014
| subterm1            = '''Cabinet'''
| suboffice1          = {{hlist|Rio II|Rio III}}
| predecessor1        = [[President's rule]]
| predecessor1        = [[President's rule]]
| successor1          = [[T. R. Zeliang]]
| successor1          = [[T. R. Zeliang]]
| constituency2      =
| termstart2          = 6 March 2003
| termstart2          = 6 March 2003
| termend2            = 3 January 2008
| termend2            = 3 January 2008
| subterm2            = '''Cabinet'''
| suboffice2          = Rio I
| predecessor2        = [[S. C. Jamir]]
| predecessor2        = [[S. C. Jamir]]
| successor2          = [[President's rule]]
| successor2          = [[President's rule]]
| office3            = [[Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| office3            = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| constituency3      = [[Nagaland (Lok Sabha constituency)|Nagaland]]
| constituency3      = [[Nagaland (Lok Sabha constituency)|Nagaland]]
| termstart3          = 26 May 2014
| termstart3          = 26 May 2014
| termend3            = 28 February 2018
| termend3            = 22 February 2018
| predecessor3        = [[C. M. Chang]]
| predecessor3        = [[C. M. Chang]]
| successor3          = [[Tokheho Yepthomi]]
| successor3          = [[Tokheho Yepthomi]]
| otherparty          = [[National Democratic Alliance]]<br/>[[Democratic Alliance of Nagaland]]
| otherparty          = {{bulletedlist|[[National Democratic Alliance]]|[[United Progressive Alliance]]|[[North-East Democratic Alliance]]|[[People's Democratic Alliance (Nagaland)]]}}
| party              = [[Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party]]
| party              = {{bulletedlist|[[Naga People's Front]] (2002–2017, 2025–present)|[[Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party]] (2018–2025)|[[Indian National Congress]] (1989–2002)}}
| spouse              = Kaisa Rio
| spouse              = {{marriage|Kaisa Rio|1975}}
| website            =  
| children            = 6
| footnotes          =  
| office4            = [[President (corporate title)|President]] of [[Naga People's Front]]
| date                =  
| term_start4        = 21 October 2025
| year                =  
| predecessor4        = Apong Pongener
| source              = [http://nagaland.nic.in/functionaries/assembly/minispage/rio.htm Nagaland Government]
| source              = https://nagaland.nic.in/functionaries/assembly/minispage/rio.htm Nagaland Government
| relatives          = [[Zhaleo Rio]] (brother)
}}
}}
'''Neiphiu Guolhoulie Rio''' (born 11 November 1950) is an Indian politician serving as the 9th [[Chief Minister of Nagaland]]. Rio has also served as Chief Minister for three separate terms (2002–07, 2007–12, 2012–14 and 2018–till date), making him the only Nagaland Chief Minister to have served three consecutive terms. He was a [[Member of Parliament]] from [[Nagaland (Lok Sabha constituency)|Nagaland]] in [[Lok Sabha]] from 2014 to 2018.
'''Neiphiu Rio''' (born 11 November 1950) is an Indian politician serving as the [[Chief Minister of Nagaland|Chief Minister of Nagaland and leader of the house in state assembly since 2018]], previously 2003 to 2014 and from 2018 till date. He is the longest serving Chief Minister of Nagaland. He was also a [[Member of Parliament]] from [[Nagaland (Lok Sabha constituency)|Nagaland]] in [[Lok Sabha]] from 2014 to 2018. He is also currently serving as the president of the [[Naga People's Front]].


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Neiphiu Guolhoulie Rio was born on 11 November 1950 to an [[Angami Naga]] family from Tuophema. His mother and father were Kevilhouü and Guolhoulie Rio.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 March 2018|title=Who is Neiphiu Rio?|url=https://mattersindia.com/2018/03/who-is-neiphiu-rio/|access-date=22 September 2020|website=Matters India|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Chief Minister: Government of Nagaland :: Neiphiu Rio|url=https://www.nagaland.gov.in/portal/portal/StatePortal/Government/ChiefMinister|access-date=21 September 2020|website=Nagaland Government}}</ref> He received his early education from Baptist English School, Kohima and [[Sainik School, Purulia]], West Bengal. He attended college at [[St Joseph's College, Darjeeling]] and later graduated from Kohima Arts College.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Nagaland: Tribal body claims rich, influential exempted from institutional quarantine|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/may/17/nagaland-tribal-body-claims-rich-influential-exempted-from-institutional-quarantine-2144530.html|newspaper=The New Indian Express|access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref>
Neiphiu Rio was born on 11 November 1950 to an [[Angami Naga]] family from Tuophema. His parents were Guolhoulie and Kevilhouü Rio.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=9 March 2018|title=Who is Neiphiu Rio?|url=https://mattersindia.com/2018/03/who-is-neiphiu-rio/|access-date=22 September 2020|website=Matters India|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chief Minister: Government of Nagaland: Neiphiu Rio |url=https://www.nagaland.gov.in/portal/portal/StatePortal/Government/ChiefMinister |access-date=21 September 2020 |website=Nagaland Government}}</ref> He received his early education from Baptist English School, Kohima and [[Sainik School, Purulia]], [[West Bengal]]. He attended [[St Joseph's College, Darjeeling]] and later graduated from Kohima Arts College.<ref name=":0" />


An active student leader during his School and College days, Rio entered politics at a very young age. He had headed many organizations before becoming the Chief Minister of Nagaland. He served as the President of Kohima District United Democratic Front (UDF) Youth Wing in 1974. He was also appointed the Chairman of Northern Angami Area Council in 1984. He also had been the honorary Vice President of [[Indian Red Cross Society]] Nagaland branch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nagaland.nic.in/minister/rio.htm|title=Bio-Data of Neiphiu Rio|website=nagaland.nic.in|access-date=21 September 2022}}</ref>
An active student leader during his school and college days, Rio entered politics at a very young age.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}} He had headed many organisations before becoming the Chief Minister of Nagaland. He served as the President of the youth wing of United Democratic Front (UDF) Youth Wing for Kohima District in 1974.<ref name=":0" /> He was also appointed the Chairman of Northern Angami Area Council in 1984.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}} He also had been the honorary Vice-President of [[Indian Red Cross Society]] Nagaland branch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nagaland.nic.in/minister/rio.htm|title=Bio-Data of Neiphiu Rio|website=nagaland.nic.in|access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref>


== Political career ==
== Political career ==
On entering politics, Rio was first elected to [[Nagaland Legislative Assembly]] as Congress (I) candidate from the Northern Angami-II constituency during the 7th General Elections of 1989. He was appointed the Minister for Sports and School Education and subsequently as Minister for Higher & Technical Education and Art & Culture; also served as Chairman in Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation, Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board and Development Authority of Nagaland. Rio was again elected from the same Constituency in 1993 as Congress (I) candidate and appointed Minister for Works & Housing.<ref>[https://nagaland.gov.in/portal/portal/StatePortal/Government/ChiefMinister Nagaland Government State Portal- Neiphiu Rio]</ref> As a member of the [[Indian National Congress]], Rio was Nagaland's Home Minister as part of the cabinet headed by [[S. C. Jamir]] from 1998 till 2002 when he resigned from the ministry accusing Chief Minister S. C. Jamir of blocking a negotiated settlement of the vexed [[Naga National Council|Naga issue]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=PTI |title=Nagaland home minister Neiphiu Rio resigns |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nagaland-home-minister-neiphiu-rio-resigns/articleshow/22785212.cms |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=20 September 2002 |language=en}}</ref>
On entering politics, Rio contested the Nagaland Assembly elections of 1987 unsuccessfully as an independent candidate.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}} Rio was first elected to [[Nagaland Legislative Assembly]] as Congress (I) candidate from the Northern Angami-II constituency during the 7th General Elections of 1989. He was appointed the Minister for Sports and School Education and subsequently as Minister for Higher & Technical Education and Art & Culture; also served as Chairman in Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation, Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board and Development Authority of Nagaland. Rio was again elected from the same Constituency in 1993 as Congress (I) candidate and appointed Minister for Works & Housing.<ref>[https://nagaland.gov.in/portal/portal/StatePortal/Government/ChiefMinister Nagaland Government State Portal- Neiphiu Rio]</ref> As a member of the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC), Rio was Nagaland's Home Minister as part of the cabinet headed by [[S. C. Jamir]] from 1998 till 2002 when he resigned from the ministry accusing Chief Minister S. C. Jamir of blocking a negotiated settlement of the vexed [[Naga National Council|Naga issue]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=PTI |title=Nagaland home minister Neiphiu Rio resigns |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nagaland-home-minister-neiphiu-rio-resigns/articleshow/22785212.cms |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=20 September 2002 |language=en}}</ref>


After his resignation, Rio joined [[Nagaland People's Front|Naga People's Front]] which partnered with other Naga regionalist parties and the state branch of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) under his leadership to form the [[Democratic Alliance of Nagaland]] (DAN), a coalition which won the 2003 state elections, bringing the 10-year-long rule of the [[Indian National Congress]] in the state to an end. Rio subsequently took office as Chief Minister on 6 March 2003.
In the [[2013 Nagaland Legislative Assembly election]], he was elected from the [[Northern Angami II Assembly constituency|Northern Angami II constituency]] on an [[Naga People's Front]] (NPF) ticket defeating his INC rival Kevise Sogotsu with an overwhelming margin of 12,671 votes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Alam |first=J. |url=https://ceo.nagaland.gov.in/ElectionFiles/NLA/12th_General_Election_Report_NLA_2013.pdf |title=Report on the General Election to the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 2013 |date=2013 |publisher=Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland |location=Kohima |publication-date=2013 |pages=39 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125124535/https://ceo.nagaland.gov.in/ElectionFiles/NLA/12th_General_Election_Report_NLA_2013.pdf |archive-date=25 November 2022}}</ref>


Before completing his first term, Rio was dismissed as Chief Minister when [[President's Rule]] was imposed in Nagaland on 3 January 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/06/stories/2008010657970100.htm |title=Rio hints at going to court |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107025917/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/06/stories/2008010657970100.htm |archive-date=1 January 2008 |access-date=14 April 2022 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=6 January 2008 }}</ref> However, his party emerged as the single largest party in the ensuing elections and Rio, as the leader of DAN, was invited by the state Governor to form the government on 12 March 2008. During the 2013 Nagaland State elections, NPF won a thumping majority and Rio was re-elected as Chief Minister for a third term.<ref>{{cite news|last=PTI|date=5 March 2013|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/neiphiu-rio-11-ministers-take-oath-in-nagaland/article4478545.ece|title=Neiphiu Rio, 11 ministers take oath in Nagaland|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref>
== Chief Ministership of Nagaland==
[[File:The Chief Minister of Nagaland Shri N. Rio along with a delegation called on the Union Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil in New Delhi on June 2, 2004.jpg|thumb|Chief Minister Rio with then Union Home Minister [[Shivraj Patil]] in New Delhi on 2 June 2004.]]
After his resignation, Rio joined [[Nagaland People's Front|Naga People's Front]] which partnered with other Naga regionalist parties and the state branch of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) under his leadership to form the [[Democratic Alliance of Nagaland]] (DAN), a coalition which won the 2003 state elections, bringing the 10-year-long rule of the [[Indian National Congress]] in the state to an end.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}} Rio subsequently took office as Chief Minister on 6 March 2003.
 
Before completing his first term, Rio was dismissed as Chief Minister when [[President's Rule]] was imposed in Nagaland on 3 January 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last=[[Press Trust of India]] |date=6 January 2008 |title=Rio hints at going to court |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/06/stories/2008010657970100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107025917/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/06/stories/2008010657970100.htm |archive-date=7 January 2008 |access-date=14 April 2022 |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> However, his party emerged as the single largest party in the ensuing elections and Rio, as the leader of DAN, was invited by the state Governor to form the government on 12 March 2008. During the 2013 Nagaland State elections, NPF won a thumping majority and Rio was re-elected as Chief Minister for a third term.<ref>{{cite news|last=PTI|date=5 March 2013|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/neiphiu-rio-11-ministers-take-oath-in-nagaland/article4478545.ece|title=Neiphiu Rio, 11 ministers take oath in Nagaland|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref>


At a memorial service in Kohima for the victims of [[2021 Nagaland killings]], Rio said "I am hopeful that the country and the rest of the world will not only understand the Nagas’ story but also the want for lasting peace."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nath |first1=Hemanta Kumar |date=9 December 2021 |title=Oting incident was a misuse and abuse of AFSPA: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/oting-incident-was-a-misuse-and-abuse-of-afspa-nagaland-cm-neiphiu-rio-1886171-2021-12-09 |access-date=23 January 2022 |work=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
At a memorial service in Kohima for the victims of [[2021 Nagaland killings]], Rio said "I am hopeful that the country and the rest of the world will not only understand the Nagas’ story but also the want for lasting peace."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nath |first1=Hemanta Kumar |date=9 December 2021 |title=Oting incident was a misuse and abuse of AFSPA: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/oting-incident-was-a-misuse-and-abuse-of-afspa-nagaland-cm-neiphiu-rio-1886171-2021-12-09 |access-date=23 January 2022 |work=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
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== Achievements ==
== Achievements ==


Rio has played a key role in setting up the Music Task Force, the first music industry in the country. He was awarded The [[Mother Teresa]] Millennium award, for his outstanding leadership and contributions to politics in [[Kolkata]] in the year 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.oneindia.in/2007/05/01/rio-receives-mother-teresa-award-1178008637.html|title=Nagaland: Rio receives Mother Teresa award |access-date=14 April 2022 |website=Oneindia.com |date=1 May 2022}}</ref>
Rio has played a key role in setting up the Music Task Force, the first music industry in the country. He was awarded the ''Mother Teresa Millennium award'' for his outstanding leadership and contributions to politics in [[Kolkata]] in the year 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2007/05/01/rio-receives-mother-teresa-award-1178008637.html|title=Nagaland: Rio receives Mother Teresa award |access-date=14 April 2022 |website=Oneindia |date=1 May 2007}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Rio is married to Kaisa Rio. Together they have five daughters and one son.<ref>{{cite news|last=Taneja|first=Richa|date=8 March 2018|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/know-all-about-incumbent-neiphiu-rio-the-new-chief-minister-of-nagaland-1821287|title=All About Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland's Chief Minister For Fourth Term|newspaper=NDTV|access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref> His brother [[Zhaleo Rio]] was elected to Nagaland Assembly in 2013 and 2019 from [[Ghaspani-2 Assembly constituency|Ghaspani II Constituency]] and was the Deputy Speaker of the assembly in 2018. His mother Kevilhouü Rio died on 1 January 2020, at the age of 92. His father had died 30 years before his mother's death.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 January 2020|title=Nagaland Chief minister mother passes away|url=https://www.nagalandpost.com/nagaland-cm-neiphiu-rio-s-mother-passes-away/209009.html|access-date=24 June 2020|website=Nagaland Post}}</ref>
Rio is married to Kaisa Rio. Together they have five daughters and one son.<ref>{{cite news|last=Taneja|first=Richa|date=8 March 2018|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/know-all-about-incumbent-neiphiu-rio-the-new-chief-minister-of-nagaland-1821287|title=All About Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland's Chief Minister For Fourth Term|newspaper=NDTV|access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref> His brother [[Zhaleo Rio]] was elected to Nagaland Assembly in 2013, 2018 and 2023 from [[Ghaspani-2 Assembly constituency|Ghaspani II Constituency]] and was the Deputy Speaker of the assembly in 2018. His mother Kevilhouü Rio died on 1 January 2020, at the age of 92. His father had died 30 years before his mother's death.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 January 2020|title=Nagaland Chief minister mother passes away|url=https://www.nagalandpost.com/nagaland-cm-neiphiu-rio-s-mother-passes-away/209009.html|access-date=24 June 2020|website=Nagaland Post}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050403201615/http://www.nagaland.nic.in/functionaries/assembly/minispage/rio.htm Profile] at Nagaland NIC.
* {{Commons category-inline|Neiphiu Rio}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Neiphiu Rio}}
*[https://www.insidene.com/neiphiu-rio-extends-best-wishes-to-khrievitso-kense-youngest-player-shortlisted-for-ipl-auction/ Neiphiu Rio extends ‘best wishes’ to Khrievitso Kense, youngest player shortlisted for IPL auction]


{{S-start}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br/>for [[Nagaland (Lok Sabha constituency)|Nagaland]] |years=2014 – 2018}}
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{{s-aft|after=[[T. R. Zeliang]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[T. R. Zeliang]]}}
|-
|-
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Naga people]]
[[Category:Naga people]]
[[Category:Chief Ministers of Nagaland]]
[[Category:Chief ministers of Nagaland]]
[[Category:Sainik School alumni]]
[[Category:Sainik School alumni]]
[[Category:People from Kohima district]]
[[Category:People from Kohima district]]

Latest revision as of 16:36, 18 March 2026


In this article, the surname is Rio.

Neiphiu Rio
Rio in 2010
7th Chief Minister of Nagaland
Assumed office
8 March 2018
Governor
Deputy
Cabinet
Preceded byT. R. Zeliang
In office
12 March 2008 – 24 May 2014
Governor
Cabinet
  • Rio II
  • Rio III
Preceded byPresident's rule
Succeeded byT. R. Zeliang
In office
6 March 2003 – 3 January 2008
GovernorShyamal Datta
CabinetRio I
Preceded byS. C. Jamir
Succeeded byPresident's rule
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
26 May 2014 – 22 February 2018
Preceded byC. M. Chang
Succeeded byTokheho Yepthomi
ConstituencyNagaland
President of Naga People's Front
Assumed office
21 October 2025
Preceded byApong Pongener
Personal details
Born
Neiphiu Guolhoulie Rio

(1950-11-11) 11 November 1950 (age 75)
Tuophema, Assam, India
(present-day Kohima district, Nagaland)
Political party
Other political
affiliations
Spouse(s)
Kaisa Rio
(
m. 1975)
Children6
RelativesZhaleo Rio (brother)
ResidenceKohima

Neiphiu Rio (born 11 November 1950) is an Indian politician serving as the Chief Minister of Nagaland and leader of the house in state assembly since 2018, previously 2003 to 2014 and from 2018 till date. He is the longest serving Chief Minister of Nagaland. He was also a Member of Parliament from Nagaland in Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2018. He is also currently serving as the president of the Naga People's Front.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Neiphiu Rio was born on 11 November 1950 to an Angami Naga family from Tuophema. His parents were Guolhoulie and Kevilhouü Rio.[1][2] He received his early education from Baptist English School, Kohima and Sainik School, Purulia, West Bengal. He attended St Joseph's College, Darjeeling and later graduated from Kohima Arts College.[1]

An active student leader during his school and college days, Rio entered politics at a very young age.[citation needed] He had headed many organisations before becoming the Chief Minister of Nagaland. He served as the President of the youth wing of United Democratic Front (UDF) Youth Wing for Kohima District in 1974.[1] He was also appointed the Chairman of Northern Angami Area Council in 1984.[citation needed] He also had been the honorary Vice-President of Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland branch.[3]

Political career[edit | edit source]

On entering politics, Rio contested the Nagaland Assembly elections of 1987 unsuccessfully as an independent candidate.[citation needed] Rio was first elected to Nagaland Legislative Assembly as Congress (I) candidate from the Northern Angami-II constituency during the 7th General Elections of 1989. He was appointed the Minister for Sports and School Education and subsequently as Minister for Higher & Technical Education and Art & Culture; also served as Chairman in Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation, Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board and Development Authority of Nagaland. Rio was again elected from the same Constituency in 1993 as Congress (I) candidate and appointed Minister for Works & Housing.[4] As a member of the Indian National Congress (INC), Rio was Nagaland's Home Minister as part of the cabinet headed by S. C. Jamir from 1998 till 2002 when he resigned from the ministry accusing Chief Minister S. C. Jamir of blocking a negotiated settlement of the vexed Naga issue.[5]

In the 2013 Nagaland Legislative Assembly election, he was elected from the Northern Angami II constituency on an Naga People's Front (NPF) ticket defeating his INC rival Kevise Sogotsu with an overwhelming margin of 12,671 votes.[6]

Chief Ministership of Nagaland[edit | edit source]

Chief Minister Rio with then Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in New Delhi on 2 June 2004.

After his resignation, Rio joined Naga People's Front which partnered with other Naga regionalist parties and the state branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under his leadership to form the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), a coalition which won the 2003 state elections, bringing the 10-year-long rule of the Indian National Congress in the state to an end.[citation needed] Rio subsequently took office as Chief Minister on 6 March 2003.

Before completing his first term, Rio was dismissed as Chief Minister when President's Rule was imposed in Nagaland on 3 January 2008.[7] However, his party emerged as the single largest party in the ensuing elections and Rio, as the leader of DAN, was invited by the state Governor to form the government on 12 March 2008. During the 2013 Nagaland State elections, NPF won a thumping majority and Rio was re-elected as Chief Minister for a third term.[8]

At a memorial service in Kohima for the victims of 2021 Nagaland killings, Rio said "I am hopeful that the country and the rest of the world will not only understand the Nagas’ story but also the want for lasting peace."[9]

Achievements[edit | edit source]

Rio has played a key role in setting up the Music Task Force, the first music industry in the country. He was awarded the Mother Teresa Millennium award for his outstanding leadership and contributions to politics in Kolkata in the year 2007.[10]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Rio is married to Kaisa Rio. Together they have five daughters and one son.[11] His brother Zhaleo Rio was elected to Nagaland Assembly in 2013, 2018 and 2023 from Ghaspani II Constituency and was the Deputy Speaker of the assembly in 2018. His mother Kevilhouü Rio died on 1 January 2020, at the age of 92. His father had died 30 years before his mother's death.[12]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Who is Neiphiu Rio?". Matters India. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  2. ↑ "Chief Minister: Government of Nagaland: Neiphiu Rio". Nagaland Government. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  3. ↑ "Bio-Data of Neiphiu Rio". nagaland.nic.in. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  4. ↑ Nagaland Government State Portal- Neiphiu Rio
  5. ↑ PTI (20 September 2002). "Nagaland home minister Neiphiu Rio resigns". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  6. ↑ Alam, J. (2013). Report on the General Election to the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 2013 (PDF). Kohima: Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland. p. 39. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 November 2022.
  7. ↑ Press Trust of India (6 January 2008). "Rio hints at going to court". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 January 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  8. ↑ PTI (5 March 2013). "Neiphiu Rio, 11 ministers take oath in Nagaland". The Hindu. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  9. ↑ Nath, Hemanta Kumar (9 December 2021). "Oting incident was a misuse and abuse of AFSPA: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio". India Today. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  10. ↑ "Nagaland: Rio receives Mother Teresa award". Oneindia. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  11. ↑ Taneja, Richa (8 March 2018). "All About Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland's Chief Minister For Fourth Term". NDTV. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  12. ↑ "Nagaland Chief minister mother passes away". Nagaland Post. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.

External links[edit | edit source]

Lok Sabha
Preceded by
C. M. Chang 		Member of Parliament
for Nagaland
2014 – 2018 		Succeeded by
Tokheho Yepthomi
Political offices
Preceded by
S. C. Jamir 		Chief Minister of Nagaland
6 March 2003 – 3 January 2008 		Succeeded by
President's rule
Preceded by
President's rule 		Chief Minister of Nagaland
12 March 2008 – 24 May 2014 		Succeeded by
T. R. Zeliang
Preceded by
T. R. Zeliang 		Chief Minister of Nagaland
8 March 2018 – Present 		Incumbent
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