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{{Short description|Indian lawyer and politician}}
{{Short description|Indian lawyer and politician (born 1948)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2018}}
 
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Kapil Sibal
| name                = Kapil Sibal
| image              = Kapil Sibal (cropped).jpg
| image              = Kapil Sibal (cropped).jpg
| office              = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| office1            = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| constituency        = [[Uttar Pradesh]]<ref name="thehindu.com">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kapil-sibal-wins-rajya-sabha-polls-from-uttar-pradesh/article8718509.ece|title = Despite BJP's strategy, Sibal wins RS seat from U.P.|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 11 June 2016|last1 = Rashid|first1 = Omar}}</ref>
| term_start1        = 16 June 2016<ref name="thehindu.com">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kapil-sibal-wins-rajya-sabha-polls-from-uttar-pradesh/article8718509.ece|title = Despite BJP's strategy, Sibal wins RS seat from U.P.|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 11 June 2016|last1 = Rashid|first1 = Omar}}</ref>
| term_start          = 4 July 2022
| constituency1      = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh]]
| term_end            =
| term_end1           =  
| predecessor        = [[Rewati Raman Singh]], [[Samajwadi Party|SP]]
| predecessor1       = [[Satish Sharma]]
| successor           =  
| successor1          =  
| constituency2       = [[Uttar Pradesh]]<ref name="thehindu.com"/>
| office4             = [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India]]
| term_start2          = 5 July 2016
| term_end2            = 25 May 2022
| predecessor2        = [[Satish Sharma]], [[Indian National Congress|INC]]
| successor2          =  
| office3             = [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister of Communications and Information Technology]]
| primeminister3      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| term_start3        = 19 January 2011
| term_end3          = 26 May 2014
| predecessor3        = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| successor3          = [[Ravi Shankar Prasad]]
| office4            = [[Ministry of Human Resource Development (India)|Minister of Human Resource Development]]
| primeminister4      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| primeminister4      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| term_start4        = 29 May 2009
| term_start4        = 19 January 2012
| term_end4          = 29 October 2012
| term_end4          = 26 May 2014
| predecessor4        = [[Arjun Singh (politician, born 1930)|Arjun Singh]]
| predecessor4        = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| successor4          = [[Pallam Raju]]
| successor4          = [[Ravi Shankar Prasad]]
| office5            = [[Ministry of Science and Technology (India)|Minister of Science and Technology]]
| office5            = [[Ministry of Human Resource Development (India)|Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Government of India]]
| primeminister5      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| primeminister5      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| term_start5        = 23 May 2004
| term_start5        = 29 May 2009
| term_end5          = 22 May 2009
| term_end5          = 29 October 2012
| predecessor5        = [[Vijay Goel (politician)|Vijay Goel]]
| predecessor5        = [[Arjun Singh (politician, born 1930)|Arjun Singh]]
| successor5          = [[Pawan Kumar Bansal]]
| successor5          = [[Pallam Raju]]
| office6            = [[Ministry of Earth Sciences (India)|Minister of Earth Sciences]]
| office6            = [[Ministry of Science and Technology (India)|Union Minister of Science and Technology, Government of India]]
| primeminister6      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| primeminister6      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| term_start6        = 29 January 2006
| term_start6        = 23 May 2004
| term_end6          = 22 May 2009
| term_end6          = 22 May 2009
| predecessor6        = [[Vijay Goel (politician)|Vijay Goel]]
| predecessor6        = [[Vijay Goel (politician)|Vijay Goel]]
| successor6          = [[Pawan Kumar Bansal]]
| successor6          = [[Pawan Kumar Bansal]]
| office7            = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| office7            = [[Ministry of Earth Sciences (India)|Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Government of India]]
| constituency7      = [[Chandni Chowk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chandni Chowk, Delhi]]
| primeminister7      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| term_start7        = 10 May 2004
| term_start7        = 29 January 2006
| term_end7          = 16 May 2014
| term_end7          = 22 May 2009
| predecessor7        = [[Vijay Goel (politician)|Vijay Goel]]
| predecessor7        = [[Vijay Goel (politician)|Vijay Goel]]
| successor7          = [[Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician)|Harsh Vardhan]]
| successor7          = [[Pawan Kumar Bansal]]
| office8            = [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Minister of Law and Justice]]
| office8            = [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Union Minister of Law and Justice, Government of India]]
| primeminister8      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| primeminister8      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| term_start8        = 11 May 2013
| term_start8        = 11 May 2013
Line 52: Line 42:
| predecessor8        = [[Ashwani Kumar (politician)|Ashwani Kumar]]
| predecessor8        = [[Ashwani Kumar (politician)|Ashwani Kumar]]
| successor8          = [[Ravi Shankar Prasad]]
| successor8          = [[Ravi Shankar Prasad]]
 
| office9            = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| constituency9      = [[Chandni Chowk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chandni Chowk]]
| term_start9        = 10 May 2004
| term_end9          = 16 May 2014
| predecessor9        = [[Vijay Goel (politician)|Vijay Goel]]
| successor9          = [[Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician)|Harsh Vardhan]]
| office10            = [[Supreme Court Bar Association (India)|President of Supreme Court Bar Association]]
| term_start10        = 16 May 2024
| term_end10          = 20 May 2025
| vicepresident10      = Rachna Srivastava
| 1blankname10        = Previous terms
| 1namedata10          = 1995 – 1998<br/>2001 – 2002
| predecessor10        = [[Adish Aggarwala]]
| successor10        = Vikas Singh
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1948|8|8|df=y}}
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1948|8|8|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Jalandhar]], [[East Punjab]], [[India]]
| birth_place        = [[Jalandhar]], [[East Punjab]], [[India]]
| death_date          =  
| death_date          =  
| death_place        =  
| death_place        =  
| party              = [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| party              = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (2022–present)
| otherparty          = [[Indian National Congress]] (2003 to 18 May 2022)
| otherparty          = [[Indian National Congress]] (2003–2022)
 
| spouse              = {{plainlist|
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Nina Sibal]]|1973|2000|end=died}}<br>{{marriage|Promila Sibal|2005}}
* {{marriage|[[Nina Sibal]]|1973|2000|end=died}}
| children            = 2 sons
* {{marriage|Promila Sibal|2005}}
}}
| children            = 2
| alma_mater          = [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]], [[Master of Arts|M.A.]])<br>[[Faculty of Law, University of Delhi]] ([[LL.B.]])<br>[[Harvard Law School]]<br>([[LL.M.]])
| alma_mater          = [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]], [[Master of Arts|M.A.]])<br>[[Faculty of Law, University of Delhi]] ([[LL.B.]])<br>[[Harvard Law School]]<br>([[LL.M.]])
|father               = [[Hira Lal Sibal]]
| father             = [[Hira Lal Sibal]]
| relatives           = [[Kanwal Sibal]] {{small|(brother)}}
| relatives           = [[Kanwal Sibal]] {{small|(brother)}}
| profession          = [[Senior Advocate]]<br>[[Politician]]
| profession          = [[Senior Advocate]]<br>[[Politician]]
| website            = [http://kapilsibal.in/ Official website]
| signature          = Signature of Kapil Sibal.svg
| signature          = Signature of Kapil Sibal.svg
}}
}}
'''Kapil Sibal''' (born 8 August 1948) is an Indian [[senior advocate]] and politician. he has represented several high-profile cases in the [[Supreme Court of India]] and is widely regarded as one of the famous lawyers of [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2002-11-21|title=Money and Power: Delhi's Elite Lawyer Network|url=https://www.mansworldindia.com/currentedition/from-the-magazine/money-power-delhis-elite-lawyer-network/|access-date=2022-01-25|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title='Celebrity' lawyers, kin of judges to fight cases in SC|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/-celebrity-lawyers-kin-of-judges-to-fight-cases-in-sc-386767|access-date=2022-01-25|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2002-11-21|title=Money and Power: Delhi's Elite Lawyer Network|newspaper=Man's World India |url=https://www.mansworldindia.com/currentedition/from-the-magazine/money-power-delhis-elite-lawyer-network/|access-date=2022-01-25|language=en-GB|quote=One of the highest-paid lawyers in the country, Sibal was practising on Wall Street but his political ambitions have kept him anchored in Delhi. “I came here as a young man because my wife, who was with the foreign service, was posted here. I didn’t come here to become a ‘celebrity lawyer!’ No one knows they are going to become a celebrity,” he scoffs.|last1=Chandran |first1=Prabha }}</ref> He is a Member of Parliament, in Rajya Sabha.
'''Kapil Sibal''' (born 8 August 1948) is an Indian lawyer and politician. A designated [[Senior counsel|Senior Advocate]], he served as a Union Minister in the [[ Manmohan Singh]] government and also as the President of [[Supreme Court Bar Association (India)|Supreme Court Bar Association]] (SCBA) from 1995 to 1998, 2001 to 2002, and from 2024 to 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LIST OF CONTESTED/ELECTED CANDIDATES WITH VOTES SECURED IN THE SCBA ELECTION-2024-25|url= https://scbaindia.org/el24/14.pdf|access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref> He has represented several high-profile cases in the [[Supreme Court of India]], and currently serves as a Member of Parliament, in the [[Rajya Sabha]], representing [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 November 2002|title=Money and Power: Delhi's Elite Lawyer Network|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/why-up-congress-leaders-are-upset-with-kapil-sibal/20150814.htm/|access-date=25 January 2022|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title='Celebrity' lawyers, kin of judges to fight cases in SC|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/-celebrity-lawyers-kin-of-judges-to-fight-cases-in-sc-386767|access-date=25 January 2022|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=21 November 2002|title=Money and Power: Delhi's Elite Lawyer Network|newspaper=Man's World India |url=https://www.mansworldindia.com/currentedition/from-the-magazine/money-power-delhis-elite-lawyer-network/|access-date=25 January 2022|language=en-GB|quote=One of the highest-paid lawyers in the country, Sibal was practising on Wall Street but his political ambitions have kept him anchored in Delhi. “I came here as a young man because my wife, who was with the foreign service, was posted here. I didn’t come here to become a ‘celebrity lawyer!’ No one knows they are going to become a celebrity,” he scoffs.|last1=Chandran |first1=Prabha }}</ref>


A [[University of Delhi]] and [[Harvard University]] graduate, Sibal has practiced law in [[Wall Street]] and held several important posts relating to law and administration including [[Additional Solicitor General of India|Additional Solicitor General]], and President of [[Supreme Court Bar Association (India)|Supreme Court Bar Association]]. Sibal first entered [[Rajya Sabha]] in 1998 to represent [[Bihar]]. Before that, he had unsuccessfully contested for the [[Lok Sabha]] against [[Sushma Swaraj]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Law & behold Kapil Sibal|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/law-behold-kapil-sibal/articleshow/692575.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2022-01-25|quote=Sibal first entered the Parliament in July 1998 when he was elected to the Rajya Sabha to represent Bihar. Prior to this (in 1996), he contested the South Delhi seat unsuccessfully against BJP's Sushma Swaraj.}}</ref> He later contested from [[Chandni Chowk (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chandni Chowk]] and won in 2004 and 2009.
A [[Delhi University|University of Delhi]] and [[Harvard University]] graduate, Sibal has practised law in [[Wall Street]] and held several important posts relating to law and administration including [[Additional Solicitor General of India|Additional Solicitor General]], and President of [[Supreme Court Bar Association (India)|Supreme Court Bar Association]]. Sibal first entered [[Rajya Sabha]] in 1998 to represent [[Bihar]]. Before that, he had unsuccessfully contested for the [[Lok Sabha]] against [[Sushma Swaraj]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Law & behold Kapil Sibal|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/law-behold-kapil-sibal/articleshow/692575.cms?from=mdr|access-date=25 January 2022|quote=Sibal first entered the Parliament in July 1998 when he was elected to the Rajya Sabha to represent Bihar. Prior to this (in 1996), he contested the South Delhi seat unsuccessfully against BJP's Sushma Swaraj.}}</ref> He later contested from [[Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency|Chandni Chowk]] and won in 2004 and 2009.


As a senior [[Indian National Congress]] member then, Sibal served under [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Manmohan Singh]] as a minister holding various portfolios over the years. As minister, he headed delegations of India in high-profile international forums. His actions in official capacity were controversial multiple times including when he undertook to regulate internet content. Sibal often was portrayed as an intellectual face of the Congress who batted for the party on television<ref>{{Cite news|title=Law & behold Kapil Sibal|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/law-behold-kapil-sibal/articleshow/692575.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2022-01-25|quote=Congress spokesman Kapil Sibal has been the party's face on television networks and most often than not he has been pitted against professional rival and BJP spokesperson Arun Jaitley.}}</ref> and in regular [[Columnist|columns]].
As an [[Indian National Congress]] (INC) member, Sibal served under [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Manmohan Singh]] as a minister holding various portfolios during his government. As minister, his actions in an official capacity were controversial multiple times, including when he undertook to regulate internet content. Sibal often was portrayed as an intellectual face of the INC who batted for the party on television<ref>{{Cite news|title=Law & behold Kapil Sibal|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/law-behold-kapil-sibal/articleshow/692575.cms?from=mdr|access-date=25 January 2022|quote=Congress spokesman Kapil Sibal has been the party's face on television networks and most often than not he has been pitted against professional rival and BJP spokesperson Arun Jaitley.}}</ref> and in regular [[Columnist|columns]].


In the [[Supreme Court of India]], he usually represented the [[Congress (India)|Congress]]. He left the [[Indian National Congress]] in 2022 to file his nomination for the [[Rajya Sabha]] independently but backed by [[Samajwadi Party]].<ref name="Quits INC" />
In the [[Supreme Court of India]], he usually represented the INC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DHNS |title=MUDA 'scam': Senior advocates Abhishek Singhvi, Kapil Sibal to fight CM Siddaramaiah's case |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/muda-scam-senior-advocates-abhishek-singhvi-kapil-sibal-to-fight-cm-siddaramaiahs-case-3154877 |access-date=20 August 2024 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DHNS |title=DH Evening Brief: Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik gets life imprisonment in terror case; Kapil Sibal quits Congress |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/dh-evening-brief-May-25-2022-top-news-breaking-news-india-news-world-news-1112403.html |access-date=20 August 2024 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rautray |first=Samanwaya |date=21 December 2017 |title=After six years, I stand vindicated: Kapil Sibal on 2G verdict |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/after-six-years-i-stand-vindicated-kapil-sibal-on-2g-verdict/articleshow/62191553.cms?from=mdr |access-date=20 August 2024 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 September 2019 |title='Opponents feared Ram, judges were in awe of him' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/opponents-feared-ram-judges-were-in-awe-of-him/articleshow/71040637.cms |access-date=20 August 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> He left the INC in 2022 to file his nomination for the [[Rajya Sabha]] as an independent, but was backed by [[Samajwadi Party]].<ref name="Quits INC" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=16 May 2024 |title='Keep on fighting your battles for democracy': Mamata congratulates Sibal |url=https://theprint.in/india/keep-on-fighting-your-battles-for-democracy-mamata-congratulates-sibal/2088772/ |access-date=17 May 2024 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Sibal was born on 8 August 1948 in [[Jalandhar]] in Punjab. His family migrated to India during the partition in 1947.<ref name="Detailed Profile">{{cite web|title=Birthplace of Sibal|url=http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4077|work=National Portal of India|publisher=Government of India|access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> Kapil Sibal moved to Delhi in 1964. After his schooling from [[St. John's High School, Chandigarh|St John's High School]], he joined [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]] for his B.A. He earned his [[LL.B.]] degree from the prestigious [[Faculty of Law, University of Delhi]], and later an M.A. in history from [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]]. He joined the bar association in 1972.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/election-news/key-contestants/story/kapil-sibal-42739-2009-03-26|title=Kapil Sibal|magazine=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-04-28}}</ref> In the year 1973, he qualified for [[Indian Administrative Services]] and was offered an appointment.<ref name="India Today">{{Citation|work=India Today|title=Kapil Sibal & Son Akhil Exclusive Interview With Karan Thapar|date=2016-08-21|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khGWYPUwAjI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/khGWYPUwAjI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-05-06}}{{cbignore}}</ref> But he declined the offer and decided to set up his own law practice.<ref name="India Today"/> Afterwards, he attended the [[Harvard Law School]] where he enrolled for an LL.M. which he completed in 1977.<ref name=alumini>{{cite web|last=alumni 1977|first=List of Harvard Law School|title=Listings and photographs of faculty, students|url=http://www.law.harvard.edu/library/special/research/biographical-research-guide.html|work=Harvard Law School|publisher=Harvard Law School Catalog|access-date=12 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112224140/http://www.law.harvard.edu/library/special/research/biographical-research-guide.html|archive-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> He was designated as senior lawyer in 1983.
Sibal was born on 8 August 1948 at [[Jalandhar]] in Punjab. His family migrated to India during the partition in 1947.<ref name="Detailed Profile">{{cite web|title=Birthplace of Sibal|url=http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4077|work=National Portal of India|publisher=Government of India|access-date=12 January 2014|archive-date=4 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704122833/http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4077|url-status=dead}}</ref> After his schooling from [[St. John's High School, Chandigarh]], he moved to Delhi in 1964 and joined the [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]] for his B.A. He earned his [[LL.B.]] degree from the prestigious [[Faculty of Law, University of Delhi]], and later an M.A. in History from [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]].<ref>{{cite news |title=From MA in history to a prospective RS nominee; know all about Kapil Sibal's educational qualifications |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/from-ma-in-history-to-a-prospective-rs-nominee-know-all-about-kapil-sibals-educational-qualifications |work=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref>  


In 1989, he was appointed the [[Additional Solicitor General of India]]. In 1994, he appeared in the Parliament as a lawyer and successfully defended [[V. Ramaswami]] during impeachment proceedings. The impeachment motion was placed in the assembly for debate and voting on 10 May 1993. Of 401 members present in the assembly that day, there were 196 votes for impeachment and no votes against and 205 abstentions by ruling Congress and its allies. He had served as the President of the Supreme Court Bar association on three occasions, i.e. 1995–1996, 1997–1998 and 2001–2002.<ref name=Biography>{{cite web|last=Sibal|first=Detail about|title=Short Biography of Kapil Sibal|date=25 January 2012|url=http://www.preservearticles.com/2012012521459/short-biography-of-kapil-sibal.html|publisher=Preserve Article Press|access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref>
Sibal joined the bar association in 1972.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/election-news/key-contestants/story/kapil-sibal-42739-2009-03-26 |date=26 March 2009 |title=Kapil Sibal|magazine=India Today|language=en|access-date=28 April 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018142243/https://www.indiatoday.in/election-news/key-contestants/story/kapil-sibal-42739-2009-03-26 |archive-date= 18 October 2019 }}</ref> In the year 1973, he qualified for [[Indian Administrative Services]] and was offered an appointment.<ref name="India Today">{{Citation|work=India Today|title=Kapil Sibal & Son Akhil Exclusive Interview With Karan Thapar|date=21 August 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khGWYPUwAjI |publisher=YouTube |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/khGWYPUwAjI |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=6 May 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> But he declined the offer and decided to set up his own law practice.<ref name="India Today"/> Afterwards, he attended the [[Harvard Law School]] where he enrolled for an LL.M. which he completed in 1977.<ref name=alumini>{{cite web |title=Harvard Law School Graduates: A Biographical Research Guide |url=http://www.law.harvard.edu/library/special/research/biographical-research-guide.html |publisher=Harvard Law School Library |access-date=12 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112224140/http://www.law.harvard.edu/library/special/research/biographical-research-guide.html|archive-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> He was designated as senior lawyer in 1983.


==Career==
In 1989, he was appointed the [[Additional Solicitor General of India]]. In 1994, he appeared in the Parliament as a lawyer and successfully defended [[V. Ramaswami]] during impeachment proceedings. The impeachment motion was placed in the assembly for debate and voting on 10 May 1993. Of 401 members present in the assembly that day, there were 196 votes for impeachment and no votes against and 205 abstentions by ruling Congress and its allies. He had served as the President of the Supreme Court Bar association on four occasions, i.e. 1995–1996, 1997–1998 and 2001–2002, 2024-2025.<ref name=Biography>{{cite web|last=Sibal|first=Detail about|title=Short Biography of Kapil Sibal|date=25 January 2012|url=http://www.preservearticles.com/2012012521459/short-biography-of-kapil-sibal.html|publisher=Preserve Article Press|access-date=12 January 2014|archive-date=12 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112193546/http://www.preservearticles.com/2012012521459/short-biography-of-kapil-sibal.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Kapil Sibal joined the [[Bar association]] in 1972. He decided to set up his own law practice.<ref name="do">[http://dod.nic.in/kapilsibalresume.htm Minister for Earth Sciences, Govt. of India: Shri Kapil Sibal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415090114/http://dod.nic.in/kapilsibalresume.htm|date=15 April 2012}} [[Ministry of Earth Sciences (India)|Ministry of Earth Sciences]] website.</ref><ref>[http://www.csir.res.in/csir/external/heads/aboutcsir/leaders/kapil-speech/Curriculum%20Vitae-kapil.HTM Kapil Sibal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430002322/http://www.csir.res.in/csir/external/heads/aboutcsir/leaders/kapil-speech/Curriculum%20Vitae-kapil.HTM |date=30 April 2008 }} [[Council of Scientific and Industrial Research]] (CSIR).</ref> He was designated as a Senior Lawyer in 1983. He was the Additional Solicitor General of India between 1989 and 1990, as well.<ref name="do"/><ref>[http://203.200.89.92/dst/about_us/kapil-sibal-resume.htm  Kapil Sibal, Hon'ble Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529220727/http://203.200.89.92/dst/about_us/kapil-sibal-resume.htm |date=29 May 2011 }} [[Ministry of Science and Technology (India)|Ministry of Science and Technology]]</ref>
 
==Legal career==
Kapil Sibal joined the [[Bar association]] in 1972. He decided to set up his own law practice.<ref name="do">[http://dod.nic.in/kapilsibalresume.htm Minister for Earth Sciences, Govt. of India: Shri Kapil Sibal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415090114/http://dod.nic.in/kapilsibalresume.htm|date=15 April 2012}} [[Ministry of Earth Sciences (India)|Ministry of Earth Sciences]] website.</ref><ref>[http://www.csir.res.in/csir/external/heads/aboutcsir/leaders/kapil-speech/Curriculum%20Vitae-kapil.HTM Kapil Sibal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430002322/http://www.csir.res.in/csir/external/heads/aboutcsir/leaders/kapil-speech/Curriculum%20Vitae-kapil.HTM |date=30 April 2008 }} [[Council of Scientific and Industrial Research]] (CSIR).</ref> He was designated as a Senior Lawyer by the High Court of Delhi on 8 November 1983. He was the Additional Solicitor General of India between 1989 and 1990, as well.<ref name="do"/><ref>[http://203.200.89.92/dst/about_us/kapil-sibal-resume.htm  Kapil Sibal, Hon'ble Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529220727/http://203.200.89.92/dst/about_us/kapil-sibal-resume.htm |date=29 May 2011 }} [[Ministry of Science and Technology (India)|Ministry of Science and Technology]]</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
Over the years, he has held several important positions in the [[Government of India]] and the Society, such as: Additional Solicitor General of India (December 1989 – 1990); Member, Board of Management, [[Indira Gandhi National Open University]] (1993); President, Supreme Court Bar Association (1995–96, 1997–98 and 2001–2002); Member, [[Rajya Sabha]] (July 1998); Member, Executive Council, Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies (July, 2001); Member, Business Advisory Committee (August, 2001); Member, Committee on Home Affairs (January, 2002); Co-chairman, Indo-US Parliamentary Forum (2002); Member, Board of [[International AIDS Vaccine Initiative]] (2002); Member, Programme Board of the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]]'s Indian AIDS initiative (2003); Member, [[Working Group on Arbitrary Detention]] set up by the [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights|Human Rights Commission]], [[Geneva]].
Over the years, he has held several important positions in the [[Government of India]] and the Society, such as: Additional Solicitor General of India (December 1989 – 1990); Member, Board of Management, [[Indira Gandhi National Open University]] (1993); President, Supreme Court Bar Association (1995–96, 1997–98 and 2001–2002); Member, [[Rajya Sabha]] (July 1998); Member, Executive Council, Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies (July 2001); Member, Business Advisory Committee (August 2001); Member, Committee on Home Affairs (January 2002); Co-chairman, Indo-US Parliamentary Forum (2002); Member, Board of [[International AIDS Vaccine Initiative]] (2002); Member, Programme Board of the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]]'s Indian AIDS initiative (2003); Member, [[Working Group on Arbitrary Detention]] set up by the [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights|Human Rights Commission]], [[Geneva]].


===Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha===
===Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha===
[[File:Shri Kapil Sibal takes over the charge of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology in New Delhi May 24, 2004.jpg|thumb|Kapil Sibal takes over the charge of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology in New Delhi 24 May 2004|left]]
[[File:Shri Kapil Sibal takes over the charge of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology in New Delhi May 24, 2004.jpg|thumb|Kapil Sibal takes over the charge of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology in New Delhi 24 May 2004|left]]


In the 2004 general elections, Sibal became an MP by winning the [[Chandni Chowk]] constituency against TV actor [[Smriti Irani]] of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) in the National Capital Territory representing the Congress Party and was inducted into the Cabinet under Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] as Union Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences. He won the constituency of [[Chandni Chowk]] for the second time for the [[Indian National Congress]] in the [[Lok Sabha]] elections of 2009.
In the 2004 general elections, Sibal became an MP by winning the [[Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency|Chandni Chowk]] constituency against TV actor [[Smriti Irani]] of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) in the National Capital Territory representing the Congress Party and was inducted into the Cabinet under Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] as Union Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences. He won the constituency of [[Chandni Chowk]] for the second time for the [[Indian National Congress]] in the [[Lok Sabha]] elections of 2009.
 
During his tenure as Telecom Minister his comment about the loss in the [[2G spectrum case]] being only notional and causing "zero loss"<ref>{{cite news|title=No loss to Govt from 2G spectrum allocation: Sibal|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/article1065479.ece|access-date=6 December 2011|newspaper=Hindu Businessline|date=7 January 2011}}</ref> created a public outcry<ref>{{cite web|last=Ninan|first=T N|title=Sibal's 'zero loss' claim carries zero credibility|url=http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-sibals-zero-loss-claim-carries-zero-credibility/20110118.htm|publisher=Rediff|access-date=6 December 2011}}</ref> and he had to clarify it later.<ref>{{cite news|title=I never said zero loss if spectrum was auctioned: Kapil Sibal|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-01/news/28645574_1_zero-loss-spectrum-allocation-criminal-culpability|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=1 March 2011|agency=PTI}}</ref> Kapil Sibal was indicted by [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|CAG]] for favoring M/S Phoenix Rose LLC by overlooking rules and regulations and handpicking that company for creating a database for over 500,000 working professionals of [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|People of Indian Origin]] settled in the US. CAG's report said that the project's cost was ${{formatnum:120000}} but three years after the initiation, the company has dumped the networking site, completing just over 16% of the targeted work.<ref>{{cite news|title=CAG indictment adds to Kapil Sibal troubles|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_cag-indictment-adds-to-kapil-sibal-troubles_1564476|access-date=7 December 2011|newspaper=Daily News and Analysis|date=11 July 2011}}</ref>


Also during his time in that office, his move to regulate internet content<ref>{{cite news|last=Timmons|first=Heather|title=India Asks Google, Facebook to Screen User Content|url=http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/india-asks-google-facebook-others-to-screen-user-content/|work=The New York Times|access-date=6 December 2011|date=5 December 2011}}</ref> was criticized across many social networking sites like [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]] and [[Google+]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Iyer|first=Srividya|title=Kapil Sibal under attack: Twitter, Facebook users target him|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-07/social-media/30485176_1_kapil-sibal-democratic-medium-facebook|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622121100/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-07/social-media/30485176_1_kapil-sibal-democratic-medium-facebook|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 June 2013|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=7 December 2011}}</ref>
During his tenure as Telecom Minister his comment about the loss in the [[2G spectrum case]] being only notional and causing "zero loss"<ref>{{cite news|title=No loss to Govt from 2G spectrum allocation: Sibal|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/article1065479.ece|access-date=6 December 2011|newspaper=Hindu Businessline|date=7 January 2011}}</ref> created a public outcry<ref>{{cite web|last=Ninan|first=T N|title=Sibal's 'zero loss' claim carries zero credibility|url=http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-sibals-zero-loss-claim-carries-zero-credibility/20110118.htm|publisher=Rediff|access-date=6 December 2011}}</ref> and he had to clarify it later.<ref>{{cite news|title=I never said zero loss if spectrum was auctioned: Kapil Sibal|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-01/news/28645574_1_zero-loss-spectrum-allocation-criminal-culpability|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121112622/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-01/news/28645574_1_zero-loss-spectrum-allocation-criminal-culpability|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 January 2012|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=1 March 2011|agency=PTI}}</ref> Kapil Sibal was indicted by [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|CAG]] for favouring M/S Phoenix Rose LLC by overlooking rules and regulations and handpicking that company for creating a database for over 500,000 working professionals of [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|People of Indian Origin]] settled in the US. CAG's report said that the project's cost was ${{formatnum:120000}} but three years after the initiation, the company has dumped the networking site, completing just over 16% of the targeted work.<ref>{{cite news|title=CAG indictment adds to Kapil Sibal troubles|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_cag-indictment-adds-to-kapil-sibal-troubles_1564476|access-date=7 December 2011|newspaper=Daily News and Analysis|date=11 July 2011}}</ref>


He represented India in the Annual Meetings of the [[World Economic Forum]] in 2005 and 2009 held at [[Davos]], [[Switzerland]]. He led the Indian delegation to the [[Annapolis Conference]], USA, held to gather International support for establishment of a Palestinian state and the realization of [[Peace process in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict|Israeli–Palestinian peace]] during November 2007. He led the Indian delegation to the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] (UNFCCC) at [[Bali]] in December 2007.
Also during his time in that office, his move to regulate internet content<ref>{{cite news|last=Timmons|first=Heather|title=India Asks Google, Facebook to Screen User Content|url=http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/india-asks-google-facebook-others-to-screen-user-content/|work=The New York Times|access-date=6 December 2011|date=5 December 2011}}</ref> was criticised across many social networking sites like [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]] and [[Google+]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Iyer|first=Srividya|title=Kapil Sibal under attack: Twitter, Facebook users target him|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-07/social-media/30485176_1_kapil-sibal-democratic-medium-facebook|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622121100/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-07/social-media/30485176_1_kapil-sibal-democratic-medium-facebook|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 June 2013|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=7 December 2011}}</ref>


Sibal approved the creation of an [[Indian Institute of Technology Muddenahalli]] as part of the 11th [[Five-Year plans of India|5-year plan]].<ref>[http://www.deccanherald.com/content/25455/iit-muddenahalli-11th-plan.html 'IIT at Muddenahalli in 11th plan']. Deccanherald.com. Retrieved on 2011-01-22.</ref>
He represented India in the Annual Meetings of the [[World Economic Forum]] in 2005 and 2009 held at [[Davos]], Switzerland. He led the Indian delegation to the [[Annapolis Conference]], USA, held to gather International support for establishment of a Palestinian state and the realisation of [[Peace process in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict|Israeli–Palestinian peace]] during November 2007. He led the Indian delegation to the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] (UNFCCC) at [[Bali]] in December 2007.
He is also the person who introduced the [[Continuous and comprehensive evaluation|Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE)]] system in India for Class IX and Class X and he has also started the changes in the [[IIT JEE]] pattern. He has laid the foundation stone for [[IIT Patna]].


After the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]], Sibal announced that a fresh onslaught of deadly tsunami were likely along the India southern coast and [[Andaman Islands|Andaman]] and [[Nicobar Islands]], even though was no sign of turbulence in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/false-warning-of-tsunami-causes-panic-in-india-1.1171743|title= Tsunami - The Irish Times|website=www.irishtimes.com|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref> The announcement was a false alarm and the Home Affairs minister withdrew their announcement.<ref name="Tran">Tran, Tina. (30 December 2004) [[Associated Press]] "[http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20041230-1108-tsunami-falsewarning.html False tsunami alarm sparks panic in Indian Ocean region.]"</ref> Three days after the announcement, [[Indian National Congress]] president [[Sonia Gandhi]] called [[Department of Science and Technology (India)|Science & Technology]] minister Kapil Sibal to express her concern about Sibal's 30 December public warning being "[[wikt:hogwash|hogwash]]".<ref>[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] (2 January 2005) "[http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=40261 Congress chief steps in as home, S&T ministers lock horns.]"</ref>
Sibal introduced the [[Continuous and comprehensive evaluation|Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE)]] system in India for Class IX and Class X and he has also started the changes in the [[IIT JEE]] pattern. He has laid the foundation stone for [[IIT Patna]].
[[File:Kapil Sibal inaugurating the ‘National Cloud’ under the ‘MeghRaj’ initiative of the Department of Electronics & IT, in New Delhi. The Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.jpg|thumb|Kapil Sibal inaugurating the ‘National Cloud’ MeghRaj in February 2014]]
After the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]], Sibal announced that a fresh onslaught of deadly tsunami were likely along the India southern coast and [[Andaman Islands|Andaman]] and [[Nicobar Islands]], even though there was no sign of turbulence in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/false-warning-of-tsunami-causes-panic-in-india-1.1171743|title= Tsunami - The Irish Times|website=www.irishtimes.com|access-date=11 November 2019}}</ref> The announcement was a false alarm and the Home Affairs minister withdrew their announcement.<ref name="Tran">Tran, Tina. (30 December 2004) [[Associated Press]] "[http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20041230-1108-tsunami-falsewarning.html False tsunami alarm sparks panic in Indian Ocean region.]"</ref> Three days after the announcement, [[Indian National Congress]] president [[Sonia Gandhi]] called [[Department of Science and Technology (India)|Science & Technology]] minister Kapil Sibal to express her concern about Sibal's 30 December public warning being "[[wikt:hogwash|hogwash]]".<ref>[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] (2 January 2005) "[http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=40261 Congress chief steps in as home, S&T ministers lock horns.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419124851/http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=40261 |date=19 April 2012 }}"</ref>


===Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha===
===Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha===
;Parliamentary Committee assignments  
;Parliamentary Committee assignments  
* 13 Sept. 2021 onwards: Member [[Committee on External Affairs]]<ref name="Committee on External Affairs">{{cite web |title=Committee on External Affairs : Loksabha |url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Committee/CommitteeInformation.aspx?comm_code=11&tab=2 |website=loksabhaph.nic.in |access-date=20 January 2022}}</ref>
* 13 September 2021 onwards: Member [[Committee on External Affairs]]<ref name="Committee on External Affairs">{{cite web |title=Committee on External Affairs : Loksabha |url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Committee/CommitteeInformation.aspx?comm_code=11&tab=2 |website=loksabhaph.nic.in |access-date=20 January 2022}}</ref>


===Independent candidate===
On 25 May 2022, he filed his nomination for [[Rajya Sabha]] elections as an independent candidate with support of [[Samajwadi Party]]. Samajwadi Party chief [[Akhilesh Yadav]] had accompanied him while he filed his nominations. Subsequently, he broke to the media that he had resigned from the [[Indian National Congress]] on 16 May.<ref name="Quits INC">{{cite news |last1=Phukan |first1=Sandeep |title=Kapil Sibal says he has quit Congress, files Rajya Sabha nomination papers with Samajwadi Party backing |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kapil-sibal-files-rajya-sabha-nomination-as-independent-candidate-backed-by-samajwadi-party-says-he-quit-congress-on-may-16/article65459553.ece |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=25 May 2022 |language=en-IN}}</ref>
On 25 May 2022, he filed his nomination for [[Rajya Sabha]] elections as an independent candidate with support of [[Samajwadi Party]]. [[Samajwadi Party]] chief [[Akhilesh Yadav]] had accompanied him while he filed his nominations. Subsequently, he broke to the media that he had resigned from the [[Indian National Congress]] on 16 May.<ref name="Quits INC">{{cite news |last1=Phukan |first1=Sandeep |title=Kapil Sibal says he has quit Congress, files Rajya Sabha nomination papers with Samajwadi Party backing |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kapil-sibal-files-rajya-sabha-nomination-as-independent-candidate-backed-by-samajwadi-party-says-he-quit-congress-on-may-16/article65459553.ece |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=25 May 2022 |language=en-IN}}</ref>
==Elections==
===Rajya Sabha===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Position
! colspan="2" |Party
! <small>Constituency</small>
! From
! To
! Tenure
!Result
|-
| [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]<br><small>(1st Term)</small>
| {{Party name with color|Indian National Congress|rowspan=2}}
| [[Bihar]]
| <small>8 July</small><br>1998
| <small>13 May</small><br>2004
| '''{{ayd|1998|7|8|2004|5|13}}'''
|Elected
|-
| [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]<br><small>(2nd Term)</small>
| rowspan="2"|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
| <small>5 July</small><br>2016
| <small>4 July</small><br>2022
| '''{{ayd|2016|7|5|2022|7|4}}'''
|Elected
|-
| [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]<br><small>(3rd Term)</small>
| {{Party name with color|Independent politician|shortname=Ind}}
| <small>5 July</small><br>2022
| <small>4 July</small><br>2028
| '''{{ayd|2022|7|5|2028|7|4}}'''
|Elected
|}


==Other works==
==Other works==
In 2011 Sibal has also announced a [[Aakash (tablet)|touchscreen tablet computer]] to be co-developed with private partnership. It was to be available to students for {{INRConvert|1500}}. Satish Jha, chairman of [[OLPC]] India, the leading competitor to this venture, questioned his claim that a $35 laptop could be created in a year.<ref>[http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMC8wNy8yNiNBcjAxNzAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom Article – OLPC picks holes in govt’s laptop agenda]. Epaper.timesofindia.com (26 July 2010). Retrieved on 2011-01-22.</ref> Five state Chief Ministers endorsed the OLPC initiative and the [[List of Chief Ministers of Rajasthan|Chief Minister of Rajasthan]] himself inaugurated the project on the day Sibal showcased his future laptop. The event was attended by two members of the Union Cabinet.<ref>[http://lug-iitd.posterous.com/olpc-stall-pics-nogallary OLPC Stall Pics ((nogallary)) – LUG@IITD Community Blog]. Lug-iitd.posterous.com (23 July 2010). Retrieved on 2011-01-22.</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/29/stories/2010072958740500.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804002756/http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/29/stories/2010072958740500.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 August 2010 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Laptop experience for Rajasthan villagers | date=29 July 2010}}</ref> This also lead to an open letter by [[Nicholas Negroponte]] offering him complete access to MIT and [[OLPC]] technologies to help realise India's dream to create a laptop of its own.<ref>[http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMC8wNy8yOSNBcjAxNTAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom Article – $35 laptop: OLPC founder wants stress on design]. Epaper.timesofindia.com (29 July 2010). Retrieved on 2011-01-22.</ref>
In 2011 Sibal also announced a [[Aakash (tablet)|touchscreen tablet computer]] to be co-developed with private partnership. It was to be available to students for {{INRConvert|1500}}. Satish Jha, chairman of [[OLPC]] India, the leading competitor to this venture, questioned his claim that a $35 laptop could be created in a year.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130828034810/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMC8wNy8yNiNBcjAxNzAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom Article – OLPC picks holes in govt’s laptop agenda]. Epaper.timesofindia.com (26 July 2010). Retrieved on 22 January 2011.</ref> Five state Chief Ministers endorsed the OLPC initiative and the [[List of Chief Ministers of Rajasthan|Chief Minister of Rajasthan]] himself inaugurated the project on the day Sibal showcased his future laptop. The event was attended by two members of the Union Cabinet.<ref>[http://lug-iitd.posterous.com/olpc-stall-pics-nogallary OLPC Stall Pics ((nogallary)) – LUG@IITD Community Blog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715105944/http://lug-iitd.posterous.com/olpc-stall-pics-nogallary |date=15 July 2011 }}. Lug-iitd.posterous.com (23 July 2010). Retrieved on 22 January 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/29/stories/2010072958740500.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804002756/http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/29/stories/2010072958740500.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 August 2010 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Laptop experience for Rajasthan villagers | date=29 July 2010}}</ref> This also lead to an open letter by [[Nicholas Negroponte]] offering him complete access to MIT and [[OLPC]] technologies to help realise India's dream to create a laptop of its own.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100804005253/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMC8wNy8yOSNBcjAxNTAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom Article – $35 laptop: OLPC founder wants stress on design]. Epaper.timesofindia.com (29 July 2010). Retrieved on 22 January 2011.</ref>
The computer was eventually released online as the UbiSlate7C1 tablet PC at {{INRConvert|4199}} and the Ubislate7C+ tablet PC at {{INRConvert|5199}}<ref>[http://ubislate.com/device-specification/index.html UbiSlate device specifications] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120075221/http://ubislate.com/device-specification/index.html |date=20 January 2013 }} ubislate.com, Retrieved on 1 March 2013.</ref> As of February 2012, Datawind had over 1,400,000 pre-orders, but had only shipped 10,000 units - 0.7% of orders.<ref>[https://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/aakash-stalls/ Aakash lurches toward another crisis as India loses patience with DataWind] Engadget, Retrieved on 1 March 2013.</ref> As of November 2012, many customers who put in orders still had not received their computers and were offered refunds.<ref>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/datawind-to-clear-all-paid-orders-for-aakash-in-6-weeks/article4108396.ece Datawind to clear all paid orders for Aakash in 6 weeks] The Hindu Business Line, Retrieved on 1 March 2013.</ref>
The computer was eventually released online as the UbiSlate7C1 tablet PC at {{INRConvert|4199}} and the Ubislate7C+ tablet PC at {{INRConvert|5199}}.<ref>[http://ubislate.com/device-specification/index.html UbiSlate device specifications] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120075221/http://ubislate.com/device-specification/index.html |date=20 January 2013 }} ubislate.com, Retrieved on 1 March 2013.</ref> As of February 2012, Datawind had over 1,400,000 pre-orders, but had only shipped 10,000 units - 0.7% of orders.<ref>[https://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/aakash-stalls/ Aakash lurches toward another crisis as India loses patience with DataWind] Engadget, Retrieved on 1 March 2013.</ref> As of November 2012, many customers who put in orders still had not received their computers and were offered refunds.<ref>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/datawind-to-clear-all-paid-orders-for-aakash-in-6-weeks/article4108396.ece Datawind to clear all paid orders for Aakash in 6 weeks] The Hindu Business Line, Retrieved on 1 March 2013.</ref>


==Publications==
==Publications==
An anthology of Kapil Sibal's poems titled ''I Witness: Partial Observation'' was published by Roli Books, [[New Delhi]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Reddy|first=Sheela|title=A Couple of Syllables|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?238350|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=Outlook India|date=8 September 2008}}</ref> in August 2008.
An anthology of Kapil Sibal's poems titled ''I Witness: Partial Observation'' was published by Roli Books, [[New Delhi]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Reddy|first=Sheela|title=A Couple of Syllables|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?238350|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=Outlook India|date=8 September 2008}}</ref> in August 2008.


Kapil Sibal has penned down the lyrics of the songs "Tere bina" and "Mast hawa" for 2016 Hindi film ''[[Shorgul]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/i-belong-to-the-romantic-genre-kapil-sibal-2854837/|title=I belong to romantic genre|date=15 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/kapil-sibal-turns-lyricist-for-shorgul/article8699171.ece|title=Kapil Sibal turns lyricist for Shorgul|newspaper=The Hindu|date=7 June 2016|last1=Basu|first1=Indira}}</ref>
His lyrics were also turned into a studio album by [[A. R. Rahman]] titled [[Raunaq (album)|Raunaq: Conversation of Music and Poetry]] in 2014.
 
Kapil Sibal wrote the lyrics of the songs "Tere bina" and "Mast hawa" for 2016 Hindi film ''[[Shorgul]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2016 |title=I belong to the romantic genre: Kapil Sibal |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/i-belong-to-the-romantic-genre-kapil-sibal-2854837/ |url-access=subscription |website=The Indian Express |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111165956/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/i-belong-to-the-romantic-genre-kapil-sibal-2854837/ |archive-date= 11 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/kapil-sibal-turns-lyricist-for-shorgul/article8699171.ece|title=Kapil Sibal turns lyricist for Shorgul|newspaper=The Hindu|date=7 June 2016|last1=Basu|first1=Indira |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607003128/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/kapil-sibal-turns-lyricist-for-shorgul/article8699171.ece |archive-date= 7 June 2016 }}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Kapil Sibal's father was [[Hira Lall Sibal]], a renowned advocate, his family migrated to India during the partition in 1947. In 1994, H.L. Sibal was named a "Living Legend of the Law" by the International Bar Association and in 2006, the Government of India honoured him with the 'Padma Bhushan' award for his distinguished services in the field of Public Affairs.<ref name="kapilsibal">{{cite web|url=https://www.kapilsibal.in/about-me/personal-profile/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111074433/https://www.kapilsibal.in/about-me/personal-profile/ |archive-date=2013-11-11 |url-status=dead |title=Personal Profile &#124; Kapil Sibal &#124; Official Website &#124; Perspectives and News about India, and Facts of Progress under the UPA Government|access-date=4 May 2015}}</ref>
Kapil Sibal's father was [[Hira Lall Sibal]], a renowned advocate, his family migrated to India during the partition in 1947. In 1994, H.L. Sibal was named a "Living Legend of the Law" by the International Bar Association and in 2006, the Government of India honoured him with the 'Padma Bhushan' award for his distinguished services in the field of Public Affairs.<ref name="kapilsibal">{{cite web|url=https://www.kapilsibal.in/about-me/personal-profile/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111074433/https://www.kapilsibal.in/about-me/personal-profile/ |archive-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=dead |title=Personal Profile |website= Kapil Sibal |access-date=4 May 2015}}</ref>
He married [[Nina Sibal]] in 1973, who died of [[breast cancer]] in 2000.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000701/nation.htm#12 The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Nation]. Tribuneindia.com. Retrieved on 2011-01-22.</ref> Amit and Akhil, Sibal's two sons from his first marriage, are both lawyers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Basu|first=Arundhati|title=Legally speaking|url=http://ww.telegraphindia.com/1051112/asp/weekend/story_5441621.asp|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=12 November 2005|location=Calcutta, India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426002108/http://ww.telegraphindia.com/1051112/asp/weekend/story_5441621.asp|archive-date=26 April 2012}}</ref> In 2005, Sibal married Promila Sibal.<ref>{{cite news|title='When I'm in politics, I stick to the party line; when I'm a poet, I don't'|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080824/jsp/7days/story_9734997.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203221715/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080824/jsp/7days/story_9734997.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2013|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=24 August 2008|author=Bishakha De Sarkar|location=Calcutta, India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Chadha|first=Kum Kum|title=Kapil da dhaba|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/62229.aspx|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=10 February 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829124108/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/62229.aspx|archive-date=29 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune-times/No-politricks-for-Kapil-Sibal/articleshow/44009939.cms |title=No 'politricks' for Kapil Sibal|work=Times of India|access-date=2023-02-04|date=21 April 2003|author=Gaurav Thakur}}</ref> His brother is [[Kanwal Sibal]], a retired top diplomat of the [[Indian Foreign Service]], and a former foreign secretary of India.
He married [[Nina Sibal]] in 1973, who died of [[breast cancer]] in 2000.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000701/nation.htm#12 The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Nation]. Tribuneindia.com. Retrieved on 22 January 2011.</ref> Amit and Akhil, Sibal's two sons from his first marriage, are both lawyers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Basu|first=Arundhati|title=Legally speaking|url=http://ww.telegraphindia.com/1051112/asp/weekend/story_5441621.asp|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=12 November 2005|location=Calcutta, India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426002108/http://ww.telegraphindia.com/1051112/asp/weekend/story_5441621.asp|archive-date=26 April 2012}}</ref> In 2005, Sibal married Promila Sibal.<ref>{{cite news|title='When I'm in politics, I stick to the party line; when I'm a poet, I don't'|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080824/jsp/7days/story_9734997.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203221715/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080824/jsp/7days/story_9734997.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2013|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=24 August 2008|author=Bishakha De Sarkar|location=Calcutta, India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Chadha|first=Kum Kum|title=Kapil da dhaba|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/62229.aspx|access-date=28 December 2011|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=10 February 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829124108/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/62229.aspx|archive-date=29 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune-times/No-politricks-for-Kapil-Sibal/articleshow/44009939.cms |title=No 'politricks' for Kapil Sibal|work=Times of India|access-date=4 February 2023|date=21 April 2003|author=Gaurav Thakur}}</ref> His brother is [[Kanwal Sibal]], a retired top diplomat of the [[Indian Foreign Service]], and a former foreign secretary of India.


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
 
{{Commons category|Kapil Sibal}}
 
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/in-conversation-kapil-sibal-hrd-minister/362478/ In Conversation: Kapil Sibal, HRD Minister] [[Business Standard]]
* [http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/in-conversation-kapil-sibal-hrd-minister/362478/ In Conversation: Kapil Sibal, HRD Minister] [[Business Standard]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110529220727/http://203.200.89.92/dst/about_us/kapil-sibal-resume.htm Profile at Ministry of Science and Technology, Official website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110529220727/http://203.200.89.92/dst/about_us/kapil-sibal-resume.htm Profile at Ministry of Science and Technology, Official website]
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[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Delhi]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Delhi]]
[[Category:People from Jalandhar]]
[[Category:People from Jalandhar]]
[[Category:Punjabi people]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Delhi]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Bihar]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Bihar]]
[[Category:Senior Advocates in India]]
[[Category:Senior advocates in India]]
[[Category:United Progressive Alliance candidates in the 2014 Indian general election]]
[[Category:United Progressive Alliance candidates in the 2014 Indian general election]]
[[Category:Education Ministers of India]]
[[Category:Ministers of education of India]]
[[Category:Law Ministers of India]]
[[Category:Law ministers of India]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Supreme Court of India lawyers]]
[[Category:Supreme Court of India lawyers]]
[[Category:Science ministers of India]]

Latest revision as of 18:33, 13 February 2026


Kapil Sibal
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Assumed office
16 June 2016[1]
Preceded bySatish Sharma
ConstituencyUttar Pradesh
Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India
In office
19 January 2012 – 26 May 2014
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byManmohan Singh
Succeeded byRavi Shankar Prasad
Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Government of India
In office
29 May 2009 – 29 October 2012
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byArjun Singh
Succeeded byPallam Raju
Union Minister of Science and Technology, Government of India
In office
23 May 2004 – 22 May 2009
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byVijay Goel
Succeeded byPawan Kumar Bansal
Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Government of India
In office
29 January 2006 – 22 May 2009
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byVijay Goel
Succeeded byPawan Kumar Bansal
Union Minister of Law and Justice, Government of India
In office
11 May 2013 – 26 May 2014
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byAshwani Kumar
Succeeded byRavi Shankar Prasad
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
10 May 2004 – 16 May 2014
Preceded byVijay Goel
Succeeded byHarsh Vardhan
ConstituencyChandni Chowk
President of Supreme Court Bar Association
In office
16 May 2024 – 20 May 2025
Vice PresidentRachna Srivastava
Previous terms1995 – 1998
2001 – 2002
Preceded byAdish Aggarwala
Succeeded byVikas Singh
Personal details
Born (1948-08-08) 8 August 1948 (age 77)
Jalandhar, East Punjab, India
Political partyIndependent (2022–present)
Other political
affiliations		Indian National Congress (2003–2022)
Spouse(s)
​
(
m. 1973; died 2000)
Promila Sibal
(
m. 2005)
Children2
Parent(s)
RelativesKanwal Sibal (brother)
Alma materSt. Stephen's College, Delhi (B.A., M.A.)
Faculty of Law, University of Delhi (LL.B.)
Harvard Law School
(LL.M.)
ProfessionSenior Advocate
Politician
Signature

Kapil Sibal (born 8 August 1948) is an Indian lawyer and politician. A designated Senior Advocate, he served as a Union Minister in the Manmohan Singh government and also as the President of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) from 1995 to 1998, 2001 to 2002, and from 2024 to 2025.[2] He has represented several high-profile cases in the Supreme Court of India, and currently serves as a Member of Parliament, in the Rajya Sabha, representing Uttar Pradesh.[3][4][5]

A University of Delhi and Harvard University graduate, Sibal has practised law in Wall Street and held several important posts relating to law and administration including Additional Solicitor General, and President of Supreme Court Bar Association. Sibal first entered Rajya Sabha in 1998 to represent Bihar. Before that, he had unsuccessfully contested for the Lok Sabha against Sushma Swaraj.[6] He later contested from Chandni Chowk and won in 2004 and 2009.

As an Indian National Congress (INC) member, Sibal served under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a minister holding various portfolios during his government. As minister, his actions in an official capacity were controversial multiple times, including when he undertook to regulate internet content. Sibal often was portrayed as an intellectual face of the INC who batted for the party on television[7] and in regular columns.

In the Supreme Court of India, he usually represented the INC.[8][9][10][11] He left the INC in 2022 to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha as an independent, but was backed by Samajwadi Party.[12][13]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Sibal was born on 8 August 1948 at Jalandhar in Punjab. His family migrated to India during the partition in 1947.[14] After his schooling from St. John's High School, Chandigarh, he moved to Delhi in 1964 and joined the St. Stephen's College, Delhi for his B.A. He earned his LL.B. degree from the prestigious Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, and later an M.A. in History from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.[15]

Sibal joined the bar association in 1972.[16] In the year 1973, he qualified for Indian Administrative Services and was offered an appointment.[17] But he declined the offer and decided to set up his own law practice.[17] Afterwards, he attended the Harvard Law School where he enrolled for an LL.M. which he completed in 1977.[18] He was designated as senior lawyer in 1983.

In 1989, he was appointed the Additional Solicitor General of India. In 1994, he appeared in the Parliament as a lawyer and successfully defended V. Ramaswami during impeachment proceedings. The impeachment motion was placed in the assembly for debate and voting on 10 May 1993. Of 401 members present in the assembly that day, there were 196 votes for impeachment and no votes against and 205 abstentions by ruling Congress and its allies. He had served as the President of the Supreme Court Bar association on four occasions, i.e. 1995–1996, 1997–1998 and 2001–2002, 2024-2025.[19]

Legal career[edit | edit source]

Kapil Sibal joined the Bar association in 1972. He decided to set up his own law practice.[20][21] He was designated as a Senior Lawyer by the High Court of Delhi on 8 November 1983. He was the Additional Solicitor General of India between 1989 and 1990, as well.[20][22]

Political career[edit | edit source]

Over the years, he has held several important positions in the Government of India and the Society, such as: Additional Solicitor General of India (December 1989 – 1990); Member, Board of Management, Indira Gandhi National Open University (1993); President, Supreme Court Bar Association (1995–96, 1997–98 and 2001–2002); Member, Rajya Sabha (July 1998); Member, Executive Council, Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies (July 2001); Member, Business Advisory Committee (August 2001); Member, Committee on Home Affairs (January 2002); Co-chairman, Indo-US Parliamentary Forum (2002); Member, Board of International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (2002); Member, Programme Board of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Indian AIDS initiative (2003); Member, Working Group on Arbitrary Detention set up by the Human Rights Commission, Geneva.

Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha[edit | edit source]

Kapil Sibal takes over the charge of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology in New Delhi 24 May 2004

In the 2004 general elections, Sibal became an MP by winning the Chandni Chowk constituency against TV actor Smriti Irani of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the National Capital Territory representing the Congress Party and was inducted into the Cabinet under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as Union Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences. He won the constituency of Chandni Chowk for the second time for the Indian National Congress in the Lok Sabha elections of 2009.

During his tenure as Telecom Minister his comment about the loss in the 2G spectrum case being only notional and causing "zero loss"[23] created a public outcry[24] and he had to clarify it later.[25] Kapil Sibal was indicted by CAG for favouring M/S Phoenix Rose LLC by overlooking rules and regulations and handpicking that company for creating a database for over 500,000 working professionals of People of Indian Origin settled in the US. CAG's report said that the project's cost was $120,000 but three years after the initiation, the company has dumped the networking site, completing just over 16% of the targeted work.[26]

Also during his time in that office, his move to regulate internet content[27] was criticised across many social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Google+.[28]

He represented India in the Annual Meetings of the World Economic Forum in 2005 and 2009 held at Davos, Switzerland. He led the Indian delegation to the Annapolis Conference, USA, held to gather International support for establishment of a Palestinian state and the realisation of Israeli–Palestinian peace during November 2007. He led the Indian delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Bali in December 2007.

Sibal introduced the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system in India for Class IX and Class X and he has also started the changes in the IIT JEE pattern. He has laid the foundation stone for IIT Patna.

Kapil Sibal inaugurating the ‘National Cloud’ MeghRaj in February 2014

After the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, Sibal announced that a fresh onslaught of deadly tsunami were likely along the India southern coast and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, even though there was no sign of turbulence in the region.[29] The announcement was a false alarm and the Home Affairs minister withdrew their announcement.[30] Three days after the announcement, Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi called Science & Technology minister Kapil Sibal to express her concern about Sibal's 30 December public warning being "hogwash".[31]

Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha[edit | edit source]

Parliamentary Committee assignments

On 25 May 2022, he filed his nomination for Rajya Sabha elections as an independent candidate with support of Samajwadi Party. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had accompanied him while he filed his nominations. Subsequently, he broke to the media that he had resigned from the Indian National Congress on 16 May.[12]

Elections[edit | edit source]

Rajya Sabha[edit | edit source]

Position Party Constituency From To Tenure Result
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
(1st Term) 		INC Bihar 8 July
1998 		13 May
2004 		5 years, 310 days Elected
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
(2nd Term) 		Uttar Pradesh 5 July
2016 		4 July
2022 		5 years, 364 days Elected
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
(3rd Term) 		Independent 5 July
2022 		4 July
2028 		5 years, 365 days Elected

Other works[edit | edit source]

In 2011 Sibal also announced a touchscreen tablet computer to be co-developed with private partnership. It was to be available to students for ₹1,500 (US$21). Satish Jha, chairman of OLPC India, the leading competitor to this venture, questioned his claim that a $35 laptop could be created in a year.[33] Five state Chief Ministers endorsed the OLPC initiative and the Chief Minister of Rajasthan himself inaugurated the project on the day Sibal showcased his future laptop. The event was attended by two members of the Union Cabinet.[34][35] This also lead to an open letter by Nicholas Negroponte offering him complete access to MIT and OLPC technologies to help realise India's dream to create a laptop of its own.[36] The computer was eventually released online as the UbiSlate7C1 tablet PC at ₹4,199 (US$59) and the Ubislate7C+ tablet PC at ₹5,199 (US$73).[37] As of February 2012, Datawind had over 1,400,000 pre-orders, but had only shipped 10,000 units - 0.7% of orders.[38] As of November 2012, many customers who put in orders still had not received their computers and were offered refunds.[39]

Publications[edit | edit source]

An anthology of Kapil Sibal's poems titled I Witness: Partial Observation was published by Roli Books, New Delhi,[40] in August 2008.

His lyrics were also turned into a studio album by A. R. Rahman titled Raunaq: Conversation of Music and Poetry in 2014.

Kapil Sibal wrote the lyrics of the songs "Tere bina" and "Mast hawa" for 2016 Hindi film Shorgul.[41][42]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Kapil Sibal's father was Hira Lall Sibal, a renowned advocate, his family migrated to India during the partition in 1947. In 1994, H.L. Sibal was named a "Living Legend of the Law" by the International Bar Association and in 2006, the Government of India honoured him with the 'Padma Bhushan' award for his distinguished services in the field of Public Affairs.[43] He married Nina Sibal in 1973, who died of breast cancer in 2000.[44] Amit and Akhil, Sibal's two sons from his first marriage, are both lawyers.[45] In 2005, Sibal married Promila Sibal.[46][47][48] His brother is Kanwal Sibal, a retired top diplomat of the Indian Foreign Service, and a former foreign secretary of India.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Rashid, Omar (11 June 2016). "Despite BJP's strategy, Sibal wins RS seat from U.P." The Hindu.
  2. ↑ "LIST OF CONTESTED/ELECTED CANDIDATES WITH VOTES SECURED IN THE SCBA ELECTION-2024-25" (PDF). Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  3. ↑ "Money and Power: Delhi's Elite Lawyer Network". 21 November 2002. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  4. ↑ Service, Tribune News. "'Celebrity' lawyers, kin of judges to fight cases in SC". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  5. ↑ Chandran, Prabha (21 November 2002). "Money and Power: Delhi's Elite Lawyer Network". Man's World India. Retrieved 25 January 2022. One of the highest-paid lawyers in the country, Sibal was practising on Wall Street but his political ambitions have kept him anchored in Delhi. "I came here as a young man because my wife, who was with the foreign service, was posted here. I didn't come here to become a 'celebrity lawyer!' No one knows they are going to become a celebrity," he scoffs.
  6. ↑ "Law & behold Kapil Sibal". The Economic Times. Retrieved 25 January 2022. Sibal first entered the Parliament in July 1998 when he was elected to the Rajya Sabha to represent Bihar. Prior to this (in 1996), he contested the South Delhi seat unsuccessfully against BJP's Sushma Swaraj.
  7. ↑ "Law & behold Kapil Sibal". The Economic Times. Retrieved 25 January 2022. Congress spokesman Kapil Sibal has been the party's face on television networks and most often than not he has been pitted against professional rival and BJP spokesperson Arun Jaitley.
  8. ↑ DHNS. "MUDA 'scam': Senior advocates Abhishek Singhvi, Kapil Sibal to fight CM Siddaramaiah's case". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  9. ↑ DHNS. "DH Evening Brief: Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik gets life imprisonment in terror case; Kapil Sibal quits Congress". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  10. ↑ Rautray, Samanwaya (21 December 2017). "After six years, I stand vindicated: Kapil Sibal on 2G verdict". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  11. ↑ "'Opponents feared Ram, judges were in awe of him'". The Times of India. 9 September 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Phukan, Sandeep (25 May 2022). "Kapil Sibal says he has quit Congress, files Rajya Sabha nomination papers with Samajwadi Party backing". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  13. ↑ PTI (16 May 2024). "'Keep on fighting your battles for democracy': Mamata congratulates Sibal". ThePrint. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  14. ↑ "Birthplace of Sibal". National Portal of India. Government of India. Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "From MA in history to a prospective RS nominee; know all about Kapil Sibal's educational qualifications". Free Press Journal.
  16. ↑ "Kapil Sibal". India Today. 26 March 2009. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Kapil Sibal & Son Akhil Exclusive Interview With Karan Thapar", India Today, YouTube, 21 August 2016, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 6 May 2018
  18. ↑ "Harvard Law School Graduates: A Biographical Research Guide". Harvard Law School Library. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  19. ↑ Sibal, Detail about (25 January 2012). "Short Biography of Kapil Sibal". Preserve Article Press. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Minister for Earth Sciences, Govt. of India: Shri Kapil Sibal Archived 15 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine Ministry of Earth Sciences website.
  21. ↑ Kapil Sibal Archived 30 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
  22. ↑ Kapil Sibal, Hon'ble Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Archived 29 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine Ministry of Science and Technology
  23. ↑ "No loss to Govt from 2G spectrum allocation: Sibal". Hindu Businessline. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  24. ↑ Ninan, T N. "Sibal's 'zero loss' claim carries zero credibility". Rediff. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  25. ↑ "I never said zero loss if spectrum was auctioned: Kapil Sibal". The Economic Times. PTI. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  26. ↑ "CAG indictment adds to Kapil Sibal troubles". Daily News and Analysis. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  27. ↑ Timmons, Heather (5 December 2011). "India Asks Google, Facebook to Screen User Content". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  28. ↑ Iyer, Srividya (7 December 2011). "Kapil Sibal under attack: Twitter, Facebook users target him". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 June 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  29. ↑ "Tsunami - The Irish Times". www.irishtimes.com. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  30. ↑ Tran, Tina. (30 December 2004) Associated Press "False tsunami alarm sparks panic in Indian Ocean region."
  31. ↑ The Financial Express (2 January 2005) "Congress chief steps in as home, S&T ministers lock horns. Archived 19 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine"
  32. ↑ "Committee on External Affairs : Loksabha". loksabhaph.nic.in. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  33. ↑ Article – OLPC picks holes in govt’s laptop agenda. Epaper.timesofindia.com (26 July 2010). Retrieved on 22 January 2011.
  34. ↑ OLPC Stall Pics ((nogallary)) – LUG@IITD Community Blog Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Lug-iitd.posterous.com (23 July 2010). Retrieved on 22 January 2011.
  35. ↑ "Laptop experience for Rajasthan villagers". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 29 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 August 2010.
  36. ↑ Article – $35 laptop: OLPC founder wants stress on design. Epaper.timesofindia.com (29 July 2010). Retrieved on 22 January 2011.
  37. ↑ UbiSlate device specifications Archived 20 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine ubislate.com, Retrieved on 1 March 2013.
  38. ↑ Aakash lurches toward another crisis as India loses patience with DataWind Engadget, Retrieved on 1 March 2013.
  39. ↑ Datawind to clear all paid orders for Aakash in 6 weeks The Hindu Business Line, Retrieved on 1 March 2013.
  40. ↑ Reddy, Sheela (8 September 2008). "A Couple of Syllables". Outlook India. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  41. ↑ "I belong to the romantic genre: Kapil Sibal". The Indian Express. 15 June 2016. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024.
  42. ↑ Basu, Indira (7 June 2016). "Kapil Sibal turns lyricist for Shorgul". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016.
  43. ↑ "Personal Profile". Kapil Sibal. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  44. ↑ The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Nation. Tribuneindia.com. Retrieved on 22 January 2011.
  45. ↑ Basu, Arundhati (12 November 2005). "Legally speaking". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  46. ↑ Bishakha De Sarkar (24 August 2008). "'When I'm in politics, I stick to the party line; when I'm a poet, I don't'". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. Retrieved 28 December 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  47. ↑ Chadha, Kum Kum (10 February 2006). "Kapil da dhaba". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 29 August 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  48. ↑ Gaurav Thakur (21 April 2003). "No 'politricks' for Kapil Sibal". Times of India. Retrieved 4 February 2023.

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