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{{short description|Defence Minister of India}}
{{short description|Indian politician (born 1951)}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}{{Use Indian English|date=February 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
 
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name               = Rajnath Singh
| name = Rajnath Singh
| image               = Defence_Minister_Shri_Rajnath_Singh_in_February_2020 (cropped).jpg
| image = 2025 Rajnath Singh (cropped).jpg
| image_size         = 210px
| image_size = 220px
| caption             = Singh in February 2020
| caption = Official portrait, 2025
| office             = [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]
| office = 29th [[Minister of Defence (India)|Union Minister of Defence]]
| primeminister       = [[Narendra Modi]]
| president = [[Ramnath Kovind]]<br/>[[Droupadi Murmu]]
| term_start         = 30 May 2019
| primeminister = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor         = [[Nirmala Sitharaman]]
| term_start = 30 May 2019
| office1            = [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]]
| term_end =
| primeminister1      = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor = [[Nirmala Sitharaman]]
| term_start1        = 26 May 2014
| office2 = 30th [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Union Minister of Home Affairs]]
| term_end1          = 30 May 2019
| president2 = [[Pranab Mukherjee]]<br>Ramnath Kovind
| predecessor1        = [[Sushilkumar Shinde]]
| primeminister2 = Narendra Modi
| successor1          = [[Amit Shah]]
| term_start2 = 26 May 2014
| office2            = [[Minister of Agriculture (India)|Minister of Agriculture]]
| term_end2 = 30 May 2019
| primeminister2      = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
| predecessor2 = [[Sushilkumar Shinde]]
| term_start2        = 24 May 2003
| successor2 = [[Amit Shah]]
| term_end2          = 22 May 2004
| office3 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| predecessor2        = [[Ajit Singh (politician)|Ajit Singh]]
| constituency3 = [[Lucknow (Lok Sabha constituency)|Lucknow]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| successor2          = [[Sharad Pawar]]
| term_start3 = 16 May 2014
| office3            = [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways|Minister of Road Transport and Highways]]
| term_end3 =
| primeminister3      = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
| predecessor3 = [[Lalji Tandon]]
| term_start3        = 22 November 1999
| successor3 =  
| term_end3          = 27 October 2000
| constituency4 = [[Ghaziabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Ghaziabad]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| predecessor3        = Nitish Kumar
| term_start4 = 16 May 2009
| successor3          = [[B.C. Khanduri]]
| term_end4 = 16 May 2014
| office4            = 20th [[List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh|Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]]
| predecessor4 = ''Constituency established''
| governor4          = [[Suraj Bhan]]<br />[[Vishnu Kant Shastri]]
| successor4 = [[V. K. Singh]]
| term_start4        = 28 October 2000
| office5 = 8th [[List of national presidents of the Bharatiya Janata Party|National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| term_end4          = 8 March 2002
| term_start5 = 24 January 2013
| predecessor4        = [[Ram Prakash Gupta]]
| term_end5 = 8 July 2014
| successor4          = [[President's rule]]
| predecessor5 = [[Nitin Gadkari|Nitin Jairam Gadkari]]
| office5            = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| successor5 = Amit Shah
| constituency5      = [[Lucknow (Lok Sabha constituency)|Lucknow]]
| term_start6 = 31 December 2005
| term_start5        = 5 June 2014
| term_end6 = 19 December 2009
| term_end5          =  
| predecessor6 = [[L. K. Advani]]
| predecessor5        = [[Lalji Tandon]]
| successor6 = Nitin Jairam Gadkari
| successor5          =  
| office7 = 27th [[Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare|Union Minister of Agriculture]]
| constituency6      = [[Ghaziabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Ghaziabad]]
| primeminister7 = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
| term_start6        = 31 May 2009
| term_start7 = 24 May 2003
| term_end6          = 5 June 2014
| term_end7 = 22 May 2004
| predecessor6        = ''Constituency established''
| predecessor7 = [[Ajit Singh (politician, born 1939)|Ajit Singh]]
| successor6          = [[Vijay Kumar Singh]]
| successor7 = [[Sharad Pawar]]
| office7            = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| office8 = 19th [[Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]]
| constituency7      = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh]]
| term_start8 = 28 October 2000
| term_start7        = 26 November 2002
| term_end8 = 8 March 2002
| term_end7          = 25 November 2008
| governor8 = [[Vishnu Kant Shastri]]
| predecessor7        =  
| predecessor8 = [[Ram Prakash Gupta]]
| successor7          =  
| successor8 = [[President's rule]]
| constituency8      = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh]]
| office9 = 34th [[Minister of Road Transport and Highways|Union Minister of Surface Transport]]
| term_start8        = 3 April 1994
| primeminister9 = Atal Bihari Vajpayee
| term_end8          = 19 April 2001
| term_start9 = 22 November 1999
| predecessor8        =
| term_end9 = 27 October 2000
| successor8          = [[Kalraj Mishra]]
| predecessor9 = [[Nitish Kumar]]
| office9            = 9th [[List of presidents of the Bharatiya Janata Party|President of the Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| successor9 = [[B. C. Khanduri]]
| term_start9        = 24 January 2013
| office10 = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha|Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]]
| term_end9          = 8 July 2014
| constituency10 = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh]]
| predecessor9        = [[Nitin Jairam Gadkari]]
| term_start10 = 26 November 2002
| successor9          = [[Amit Shah]]
| term_end10 = 25 November 2008
| term_start10        = 31 December 2005
| predecessor10 = [[Balwant Singh Ramoowalia]]
| term_end10          = 19 December 2009
| successor10 = [[Kusum Rai]]
| predecessor10      = [[L. K. Advani]]
| constituency11 = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh]]
| successor10        = [[Nitin Gadkari]]
| term_start11 = 3 April 1994
| office11            = [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha|President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]]
| term_end11 = 19 April 2001
| term_start11        = 1988
| predecessor11 = [[Z. A. Ahmed]]
| term_end11          = 1990
| successor11 = [[Kalraj Mishra]]
| predecessor11      = [[Pramod Mahajan]]
| office12 = 4th [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha|National President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]]
| successor11        = [[Jagat Prakash Nadda]]
| term_start12 = 1988
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1951|7|10}}
| term_end12 = 1990
| birth_place         = [[Chandauli district|Bhabhaura]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]
| predecessor12 = [[Pramod Mahajan]]
| death_date         =  
| successor12 = [[J. P. Nadda]]
| death_place         =  
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1951|07|10}}
| party               = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| birth_place = [[Chandauli district|Bhabhaura]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India
| otherparty         = [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]] {{small|(Before 1977)}}
| nickname = Kadi Ninda
| spouse             = {{marriage|Savitri Singh|1971}}
| death_date =  
| children           = 3, including [[Pankaj Singh (politician)|Pankaj Singh]]
| death_place =  
| alma_mater         = [[Gorakhpur University]] ([[M.Sc.]] in [[Physics]])
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| website             = {{url|rajnathsingh.in|Official website}}
| otherparty = [[Janata Party]] (1977–1980)<br/>[[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]] (before 1977)
| education           =  
| spouse = {{marriage|Savitri Singh|1971}}
| nationality        =  
| children = 3 (including [[Pankaj Singh (politician)|Pankaj Singh]])
| profession         = Politician, lecturer
| alma_mater = [[Gorakhpur University]] ([[M.Sc.]], [[Physics]])
| website = {{Official URL}}
| education =  
| residence = {{ubl|[[Akbar Road|17, Akbar Road]], [[New Delhi]]}}
| profession = {{hlist|Politician|lecturer}}
}}
}}
'''Rajnath Singh''' ({{IPA-hi|ɾɑːd͡ʒnɑːt̪ʰ sɪŋɡʱ|3=Rajnath Singh pronounciation.ogg}}; born 10 July 1951) is an Indian politician serving as the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Defence Minister of India]]. He is currently the Deputy Leader of the House [[Lok Sabha]]. He is the former [[List of presidents of the Bharatiya Janata Party|President]] of [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. He has previously served as the [[List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh|Chief Minister]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]] and as a [[Union Council of Ministers|Cabinet Minister]] in the [[Vajpayee Government]]. He was the [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Home Minister]] in the [[First Modi ministry|First Modi Ministry]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shri Rajnath Singh {{!}} Ministry of Defence|url=https://www.mod.gov.in/Shri%20Rajnath%20Singh|access-date=18 February 2021|website=www.mod.gov.in}}</ref> He has also served as the [[List of Presidents of the Bharatiya Janata Party|President]] of the BJP twice i.e. 2005 to 2009 and 2013 to 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 January 2013|title=Rajnath Singh elected BJP president, vows to bring back party to power|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/rajnath-singh-bjp-president-vows-to-bring-back-party-to-power-7938.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702122249/https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/rajnath-singh-bjp-president-vows-to-bring-back-party-to-power-7938.html|archive-date=2 July 2018|access-date=18 February 2021|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref> He is a veteran leader of the [[BJP]] who started his career as a [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]] Swayamsevak.<ref name="Meet the leaders">{{Cite news |title=Meet the men and women who will run India for the next 5 years – Ministry of utmost prowess|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/meet-the-men-and-women-who-will-run-india-for-the-next-5-years/rajnath-singh-defence-minister/slideshow/69594872.cms |website=The Economic Times |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> He is an advocate of the party's [[Hindutva]] ideology.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bhambhri|first=Chandra Prakash|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=teCbAAAAMAAJ|title=The Indian State and Political Process|date=2007|publisher=Shipra Publications|isbn=978-81-7541-374-0|pages=[https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/The_Indian_State_and_Political_Process/teCbAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Rajnath+Singh+under+Atal+bihari+vajpayee&dq=Rajnath+Singh+under+Atal+bihari+vajpayee&printsec=frontcover 242]|language=en}}</ref> He has also served the party in the [[Uttar Pradesh]] state from where he started his political career as a youth leader.{{Sfn|Chintamani|2019|p=7}} He was also the minister of [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways|Road Transport and Highways]] and [[Ministry of Agriculture (India)|Agriculture]] under Prime ministership of [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jain|first=B. M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yv4WEAAAQBAJ|title=The Geopsychology Theory of International Relations in the 21st Century: Escaping the Ignorance Trap|date=15 February 2021|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-4985-7360-3|pages=[https://books.google.co.in/books?id=yv4WEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA86&dq=Rajnath+Singh+under+Atal+bihari+vajpayee&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivua2zvfruAhUNxzgGHRt6BdQQ6AEwBHoECAMQAg 86]|language=en}}</ref>


He has been [[Member of parliament, Lok Sabha]] two times from [[Lucknow (Lok Sabha constituency)|Lucknow]] and once from [[Ghaziabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Ghaziabad]].<ref name="Rajnath Singh elections 2020">{{Cite news |title=Rajnath Singh: Rajnath Singh BJP from LUCKNOW in Lok Sabha Elections {{!}} Rajnath Singh News, images and videos|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/rajnath-singh/candidates/candidateid-11464.cms |website=The Economic Times |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> He was also active in State Politics and remained MLA from [[Haidergarh (assembly constituency)]] twice being [[Chief minister (India)|Chief minister]].<ref name=":1" />
'''Rajnath Singh''' ({{IPA|hi|ɾɑːd͡ʒnɑːt̪ʰ sɪŋɡʱ|audio=Rajnath Singh pronounciation.ogg}}; born 10 July 1951), is an Indian politician and lecturer who is serving as the 29th [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]] since 2019 and as the [[Leader of the House in Lok Sabha|Deputy Leader of the House, Lok Sabha]] since 2014. He previously served as the 25th [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Union Minister of Home Affairs]] in the [[first Modi ministry]] from 2014 to 2019, making him the first person born after [[Indian Independence Act 1947|Indian independence]] to hold the office.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shri Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.mod.gov.in/Shri%20Rajnath%20Singh|access-date=18 February 2021|website=Ministry of Defence|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120001310/https://www.mod.gov.in/Shri%20Rajnath%20Singh|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=23 January 2013|title=Rajnath Singh elected BJP president, vows to bring back party to power|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/rajnath-singh-bjp-president-vows-to-bring-back-party-to-power-7938.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702122249/https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/rajnath-singh-bjp-president-vows-to-bring-back-party-to-power-7938.html|archive-date=2 July 2018|access-date=18 February 2021|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Jain|first=B. M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yv4WEAAAQBAJ|title=The Geopsychology Theory of International Relations in the 21st Century: Escaping the Ignorance Trap|date=15 February 2021|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-4985-7360-3|pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=yv4WEAAAQBAJ&dq=Rajnath+Singh+under+Atal+bihari+vajpayee&pg=PA86 86]|language=en}}</ref> He was the [[List of presidents of the Bharatiya Janata Party|President]] of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] from 2005 to 2009 and again from 2013 to 2014. Singh was a veteran leader of the [[BJP]] who started his career as a ''swayamsevak'' of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]].<ref name="Meet the leaders">{{Cite news |title=Meet the men and women who will run India for the next 5 years – Ministry of utmost prowess |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/meet-the-men-and-women-who-will-run-india-for-the-next-5-years/rajnath-singh-defence-minister/slideshow/69594872.cms |website=The Economic Times |access-date=19 August 2020 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021120215/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/meet-the-men-and-women-who-will-run-india-for-the-next-5-years/rajnath-singh-defence-minister/slideshow/69594872.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
Singh previously served as the [[List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh|chief minister]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]] from 2000 to 2002 and a [[Union Council of Ministers|Cabinet Minister]] for Road Transport and Highways in the [[Vajpayee Government]] from 1999 to 2000 and the minister of Agriculture from 2003 to 2004. He was the President of [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]] from 1988 to 1990. He was a member of the [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]] from [[Haidergarh (assembly constituency)|Haidergarh constituency]] twice, and held the office of [[Chief minister (India)|chief minister]] of Uttar Pradesh.<ref name=":1" /> He was a member of Lok Sabha from Lucknow since 2014 and Ghaziabad from 2009 to 2014. He was also a member of Rajya Sabha from 2002 to 2008 and from 1994 to 2001.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Rajnath Singh was born in Bhabhaura village of [[Chandauli district]], Uttar Pradesh to father Ram Badan Singh and mother Gujarati Devi in a Raikwar
Rajnath Singh was born in Bhabhaura village of [[Chandauli district]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] to father Ram Badan Singh and mother Gujarati Devi.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaushal |first1=Pradeep |title=Jaswant is sacked without show-cause notice, but Vasundhara could defy directive to resign |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/-jaswant-is-sacked-without-showcause-notice-but-vasundhara-could-defy-directive-to-resign-/517003 |work=Indian Express |date=15 September 2009 |access-date=21 September 2020 |archive-date=25 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225122658/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/-jaswant-is-sacked-without-showcause-notice-but-vasundhara-could-defy-directive-to-resign-/517003/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Bio">{{Cite web |title=Biography – Rajnath Singh |url=https://www.rajnathsingh.in/biography/ |website=rajnathsingh.in |date=7 July 2014 |access-date=25 July 2020 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021120403/https://www.rajnathsingh.in/biography/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Ujjwal Kumar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HeCGAwAAQBAJ&dq=rajnath+singh+rajput&pg=PA244|title=The State, Democracy and Anti-Terror Laws in India|date=11 January 2007|publisher=SAGE Publications India|isbn=978-81-7829-955-6|language=en|access-date=19 November 2021|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408100247/https://books.google.com/books?id=HeCGAwAAQBAJ&dq=rajnath+singh+rajput&pg=PA244|url-status=live}}</ref> He was born into a family of farmers. He received his primary education from a local school of his village and went on to secure a master's degree in physics, acquiring first division results from [[Gorakhpur University]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=10 April 2019|agency=PTI|title=Rajnath Singh's biography tracing 5 decades in politics to hit stands in May|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rajnath-singh-biography-rajneeti-1498533-2019-04-10|work=India Today|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019125055/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rajnath-singh-biography-rajneeti-1498533-2019-04-10|url-status=live}}</ref> From childhood he was inspired by the ideology of [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 March 2011|title=Shri Rajnath Singh|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-Documents/ShriRajnathSingh.pdf|access-date=14 August 2020|website=[[Government of India]]|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125225805/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-Documents/ShriRajnathSingh.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> He worked as a lecturer of Physics at K.B. Post-Graduate College [[Mirzapur]], [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name="Bio" /> He also has a brother, Jaipal Singh.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 August 2015|title=Rajnath Singh celebrates Raksha Bandhan with children at his residence|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-celebrates-raksha-bandhan-with-children-at-his-residence/127212/|website=The Financial Express|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029151218/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-celebrates-raksha-bandhan-with-children-at-his-residence/127212/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Rajput]] family.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaushal |first1=Pradeep |title=Jaswant is sacked without show-cause notice, but Vasundhara could defy directive to resign |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/-jaswant-is-sacked-without-showcause-notice-but-vasundhara-could-defy-directive-to-resign-/517003 |work=Indian Express |date=15 September 2009 |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="Bio">{{Cite web|title=Biography – Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.rajnathsingh.in/biography/ |website=rajnathsingh.in |access-date=25 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Ujjwal Kumar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HeCGAwAAQBAJ&dq=rajnath+singh+rajput&pg=PA244|title=The State, Democracy and Anti-Terror Laws in India|date=2007-01-11|publisher=SAGE Publications India|isbn=978-81-7829-955-6|language=en}}</ref> He was born into a family of farmers. He received his primary education from a local school of his village and went on to secure a master's degree in physics, acquiring first division results from the [[Gorakhpur University]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=10 April 2019|agency=PTI|title=Rajnath Singh's biography tracing 5 decades in politics to hit stands in May|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rajnath-singh-biography-rajneeti-1498533-2019-04-10 |work=India Today |access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref> From childhood he was inspired by the right wing ideology of [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 March 2011|title=Shri Rajnath Singh|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-Documents/ShriRajnathSingh.pdf|access-date=14 August 2020|website=[[Government of India]]}}</ref> He worked as a lecturer of physics at K.B. Post-Graduate College Mirzapur, UP.<ref name="Bio" /> He has also one brother, Jaipal Singh.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2015|title=Rajnath Singh celebrates Raksha Bandhan with children at his residence|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-celebrates-raksha-bandhan-with-children-at-his-residence/127212/ |website=The Financial Express |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref>


== Early political career ==
== Early political career ==
He had been associated with the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] since 1964, at the age of 13 and remained connected with the organisation. He also became [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|Shakha Karavah]] (General Secretary) of [[Mirzapur]] in the year 1972.<ref name="Bio" /> After 2 years in the year 1974, he joined the politics.<ref name="Rajnath Singh elections 2020" /> Between 1969 and 1971 he was the organizational secretary of the [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] (the student wing of the RSS) in [[Gorakhpur]]. He became the general secretary of the RSS's [[Mirzapur]] branch in 1972.{{Sfnm|1a1=Chitamani|1y=2019|1pp=17-18|2a1=Singh|2y=2019|2pp=1-2}}
=== Entry into politics ===
Singh had been associated with the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] since 1964, at the age of 13 and remained connected with the organisation. He also became [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|Shakha Karyavah]] (General Secretary) of [[Mirzapur]] in the year 1972.<ref name="Bio" /> After 2 years in the year 1974, he entered politics.<ref name="Rajnath Singh elections 2020">{{Cite news |title=Rajnath Singh: Rajnath Singh BJP from LUCKNOW in Lok Sabha Elections |website=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/rajnath-singh/candidates/candidateid-11464.cms |access-date=19 August 2020 |archive-date=10 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510190901/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/rajnath-singh/candidates/candidateid-11464.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 1969 and 1971 he was the organizational secretary of the [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] (the student wing of the RSS) in [[Gorakhpur]]. He became the general secretary of the RSS's [[Mirzapur]] branch in 1972.{{Sfnm|1a1=Chintamani|1y=2019|1pp=17-18|2a1=Singh|2y=2019|2pp=1-2}} In 1974, he was appointed secretary for the Mirzapur unit of the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]], predecessor of [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name="profile">{{cite news|title=Profile: Rajnath Singh |publisher=[[Zee News]] |url=http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=264537&sid=ARC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930185718/http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=264537&sid=ARC |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref> In 1975, aged 24, Singh was appointed District President of the [[Jana Sangh]].


In 1974, he was appointed secretary for the Mirzapur unit of the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]], predecessor of [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name="profile">{{cite news|title=Profile: Rajnath Singh |publisher=[[Zee News]] |url=http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=264537&sid=ARC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930185718/http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=264537&sid=ARC |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref>
=== JP Movement and Emergency ===
In the 1970s, Singh was influenced by the [[JP Movement]] of [[Jayaprakash Narayan]]. He was also arrested in the year 1975 during the state of [[National Emergency]] for associating with [[JP Movement]] and was detained for a time period of 2 years.<ref name="Did you know?">{{Cite news|title=Did you know⁠? India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has a master's degree in physics⁠ — and other interesting facts about his life|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/rajnath-singh-profile-interesting-facts-all-you-need-to-know-about-indias-minister-of-defence/slidelist/76888231.cms|website=Business Insider|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-date=31 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831061351/https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/rajnath-singh-profile-interesting-facts-all-you-need-to-know-about-indias-minister-of-defence/slidelist/76888231.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>


In 1975, aged 24, Singh was appointed District President of the [[Jana Sangh]]. In 1977, he was elected [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of Legislative Assembly]] from the [[Mirzapur]]. At that time he was influence by the [[JP Movement]] of [[Jayaprakash Narayan]] and joined the [[Janata Party]] and was elected as [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of Legislative Assembly]] from Mirzapur. He was also arrested in the year 1975 during the state of [[National Emergency]] for associating with [[JP Movement]] and was detained for a time period of 2 years and when he was released, he was re-elected as [[Member Of Legislative Assembly]].<ref name="Did you know?">{{Cite news |title=Did you know⁠? India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has a master's degree in physics⁠ — and other interesting facts about his life|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/rajnath-singh-profile-interesting-facts-all-you-need-to-know-about-indias-minister-of-defence/slidelist/76888231.cms |website=Business Insider |access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref>
=== Entry into electoral politics ===
After being released from jail, Singh joined the [[Janata Party]] founded by [[Jayprakash Narayan]] and contested legislative assembly elections from Mirzapur in 1977. He successfully fought the election and was elected as a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of Legislative Assembly]] from [[Mirzapur]].<ref>{{cite news |title='Wasn't given parole to meet ailing mother, could not perform last rites: Rajnath Singh recalls Emergency |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/wasnt-given-parole-to-meet-ailing-mother-could-not-perform-last-rites-rajnath-singh-recalls-emergency/articleshow/109222741.cms |work=The Economic Times |agency=ANI |date=12 April 2024 |access-date=5 August 2024}}</ref>


At that time he gained the popularity in [[State (politics)]] and the joined [[BJP]] in the year 1980 and was one of the initial members of the Party.{{Sfn|Chintamani|2019|p=35}} He became the State President of the BJP youth wing in 1984, the National general secretary in 1986 and the National President in 1988. He was also elected into the [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council]].<ref name="profile" />
=== Rise within BJP ===
At that time he gained the popularity in [[State (politics)]] and then joined [[BJP]] in the year 1980 and was one of the initial members of the Party.{{Sfn|Chintamani|2019|p=35}} He became the State President of the BJP youth wing in 1984, the National general secretary in 1986 and the National President in 1988. He was also elected into the [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council]].<ref name="profile" />


== State and early central politics ==
== Early ministerial roles ==


=== Education Minister (1991–1992) ===
=== Education Minister (1991–1992) ===
In 1991, when [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] made its government first time in Uttar Pradesh, he was appointed as the Education Minister. He remained minister for a tenure of two years.<ref name="DDMod" /> Major highlights of his tenure as Education Minister included [[Anti-Copying Act, 1992]], which made copying a non-bailable offence,<ref name="rediff1">{{Cite web|last=Phadnis|first=Aditi|title=How Rajnath Singh rose through the ranks|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/how-rajnath-singh-rose-through-the-ranks/20130131.htm|access-date=17 February 2021|website=Rediff|language=en}}</ref> modernising science texts and incorporating [[Indian mathematics#Vedic period|vedic mathematics]] into the [[syllabus]].<ref name=":1">{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/who-is-rajnath-singh/1/247240.html |title=Who is Rajnath Singh? |work=India Today |date=23 January 2013 |access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref>
In 1991, when the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] formed its first government in Uttar Pradesh under chief minister [[Kalyan Singh]], he was appointed education minister of Uttar Pradesh. He held the education portfolio for a tenure of two years.<ref name="DDMod" /> Major highlights of his tenure as education minister included the controversial [[Anti-Copying Act, 1992]], which made copying a non-bailable offence,<ref name="rediff1">{{Cite web|last=Phadnis|first=Aditi|title=How Rajnath Singh rose through the ranks|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/how-rajnath-singh-rose-through-the-ranks/20130131.htm|access-date=17 February 2021|website=Rediff|language=en|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302055743/https://www.rediff.com/news/report/how-rajnath-singh-rose-through-the-ranks/20130131.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> modernising science texts, and incorporating [[Indian mathematics#Vedic period|vedic mathematics]] into the [[curriculum]].<ref name=":1">{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/who-is-rajnath-singh-152326-2013-01-22 |title=Who is Rajnath Singh? |work=India Today |date=23 January 2013 |access-date=28 January 2013 |archive-date=10 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810072147/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/who-is-rajnath-singh/1/247240.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


==== Anti-Copying Act, 1992 ====
==== Anti-Copying Act, 1992 ====
{{Main|Anti-Copying Act, 1992}}
{{Main|Anti-Copying Act, 1992}}


Singh helped push the controversial Anti-Copying Act in response to perceived widespread cheating in schools and colleges in Uttar Pradesh.<ref name="Did you know?" /><ref name="MassCopy">{{Cite news |date=27 February 2017|title=PM Modi brings 'mass copying' issue into political discourse|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/pm-modi-brings-mass-copying-issue-into-political-discourse/story-dEKFZuqO5sDpa9ZAxEHzZM.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=UP Govt to challenge order against Anti-copying Act|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2001/feb/07up1.htm |website=rediff.com |access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref> After the fall of [[Kalyan Singh]] government in the year 1992, when [[Mulayam Singh Yadav]] became the [[Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]], heading [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] in the year 1993 he repealed the Act.<ref>[[Anti-Copying Act, 1992#:~:text=The Anti-Copying Act, 1992,of the Bharatiya Janata Party.&text=However, the Samajwadi Party and,repealed it the following year.]]</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 1994 |author=D. Gidwani |title=Mulayam Singh Yadav abolishes Anti-Copying Act in Uttar Pradesh|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19940630-mulayam-singh-yadav-abolishes-anti-copying-act-in-uttar-pradesh-809307-1994-06-30 |website=India Today |access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref>
Singh helped push the controversial Anti-Copying Act in response to perceived widespread cheating in schools and colleges in Uttar Pradesh.<ref name="Did you know?" /><ref name="MassCopy">{{Cite news|date=27 February 2017|title=PM Modi brings 'mass copying' issue into political discourse|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/pm-modi-brings-mass-copying-issue-into-political-discourse/story-dEKFZuqO5sDpa9ZAxEHzZM.html|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=20 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120130457/https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/pm-modi-brings-mass-copying-issue-into-political-discourse/story-dEKFZuqO5sDpa9ZAxEHzZM.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=UP Govt to challenge order against Anti-copying Act|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2001/feb/07up1.htm|website=rediff.com|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=17 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001734/http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/feb/07up1.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> when [[Mulayam Singh Yadav]] became the [[chief minister of Uttar Pradesh]], heading [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] in the year 1993 he repealed the Act.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 1994 |author=D. Gidwani |title=Mulayam Singh Yadav abolishes Anti-Copying Act in Uttar Pradesh |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19940630-mulayam-singh-yadav-abolishes-anti-copying-act-in-uttar-pradesh-809307-1994-06-30 |website=India Today |access-date=21 August 2020 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111144216/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19940630-mulayam-singh-yadav-abolishes-anti-copying-act-in-uttar-pradesh-809307-1994-06-30 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=How students 'copying' in exams became an issue for the BJP in the early 90s |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-students-copying-exams-became-issue-bjp-early-90s-25481 |work=The News Minute |date=23 March 2015 |access-date=9 August 2022 |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809161052/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-students-copying-exams-became-issue-bjp-early-90s-25481 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==== Modernising education system ====
==== Modernising the education system ====
In 1991, he rewrote history texts and incorporated [[Vedic Mathematics]] into the syllabus.<ref name=":1" /> He was a loyal man of [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]], which is a [[Culturalism|culturalist]] organisation and was considered as a move by the Sangh.{{Sfn|Singh|2019|p=2}} He also focused to revive mother tongue languages instead of foreign languages, but also stated and appreciated knowledge of modern languages.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news|title=Need to change present education system: Home Minister Rajnath Singh|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/need-to-change-present-education-system-home-minister-rajnath-singh/articleshow/45004996.cms?from=mdr|access-date=26 August 2020}}</ref>
In 1991, Singh led a partial rewrite of history textbooks used in government schools and introduced [[vedic mathematics]] into the curriculum.<ref name=":1" /> Seen as loyal to the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]], a [[Hindu nationalist]] organisation, Singh's changes to state education policy were widely perceived to have been motivated by his RSS affiliation and ideological kinship with the organisation's leadership.{{Sfn|Singh|2019|p=2}} As minister, he also focused on promoting the usage of Indian languages instead of English in courses and instruction. At the same time, he stated his appreciation for knowledge of modern languages.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news|title=Need to change present education system: Home Minister Rajnath Singh|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/need-to-change-present-education-system-home-minister-rajnath-singh/articleshow/45004996.cms?from=mdr|access-date=26 August 2020|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408101748/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/need-to-change-present-education-system-home-minister-rajnath-singh/articleshow/45004996.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Union Transport Minister (1999–2000) ===
=== Union Transport Minister (1999–2000) ===
In April 1994, he was elected into the [[Rajya Sabha]] (Upper House of the [[Parliament of India|Parliament]]) and he became involved with the Advisory committee on Industry (1994–96), Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Agriculture, Business Advisory Committee, House Committee and the Committee on Human Resource Development.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 July 2014|title=Rajnath Singh - from 'Physics lecturer' to 'Union Home Minister'|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/rajnath-singh-home-minister-of-india-bjp-modi-government-latest-18798.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702150650/https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/rajnath-singh-home-minister-of-india-bjp-modi-government-latest-18798.html|archive-date=2 July 2018|access-date=18 February 2021|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref> On 25 March 1997, he became the President of the BJP's unit in Uttar Pradesh and in 1999 he became the Union Cabinet Minister for Surface Transport.<ref name="profile" />
In April 1994, he was elected into the [[Rajya Sabha]] (Upper House of the [[Parliament of India|Parliament]]) and became involved with the Advisory Committee on Industry (1994–96), Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Agriculture, Business Advisory Committee, House Committee and the Committee on Human Resource Development.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 July 2014|title=Rajnath Singh - from 'Physics lecturer' to 'Union Home Minister'|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/rajnath-singh-home-minister-of-india-bjp-modi-government-latest-18798.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702150650/https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/rajnath-singh-home-minister-of-india-bjp-modi-government-latest-18798.html|archive-date=2 July 2018|access-date=18 February 2021|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref> On 25 March 1997, he became the President of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit and in 1999 became the Union Cabinet Minister for Surface Transport.<ref name="profile" />


== Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (2000–02) ==
== Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (2000–02) ==
In 2000, he became [[List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh|Chief Minister]] of Uttar Pradesh and was twice elected as MLA from [[Haidergarh (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Haidergarh]] in 2001 and 2002.<ref name="rediff1" /> He was preceded by [[Ram Prakash Gupta]] as the Chief Minister and succeeded the President rule, later after [[Mayawati]] became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.<ref>[[List of chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh]]</ref> At that time he was appointed as the [[Chief minister (India)|Chief minister]] because from very long time he had made an image among people due to his ground level effect from long back the times of 1970's in the [[JP Movement]] and was also the Education Minister in [[Kalyan Singh ministry]] and was also active in the State Politics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta|first=Moushumi Das|date=8 June 2019|title=Modi's one move showed Rajnath Singh's 44 years of politics can become ineffective in a day|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/newsmaker-of-the-week/modis-one-move-showed-rajnath-singhs-44-years-of-politics-can-become-ineffective-in-a-day/247444/ |work=ThePrint |access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Rajnath Singh {{!}} New Defence Minister: Rajnath Singh to be the new Defence Minister, Naik to be MoS|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/rajnath-singh-to-be-the-new-defence-minister-of-india/articleshow/69593474.cms|access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref> At that time there also many leaders in [[BJP]] from Uttar Pradesh, but very few had a strong support at the ground level.<ref>"The politics of Uttar Pradesh was like a Jungle trap"-''The Betrayal of Indian Democracy.''</ref> He was at that time very much close to [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] and had a very clean image among the people of the State.<ref>{{Cite news |title="A Man With No Enemies": Rajnath Singh Appointed Cabinet Minister Again|url=https://www.ndtv.com/people/bjps-rajnath-singh-a-man-with-no-enemies-appointed-cabinet-minister-again-2045616 |website=NDTV.com |access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref> He also portrayed as a leader of [[Rajput]]s (Thakur) who are a powerful community in the state and were also an ardent votebank of the party<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 March 2017|title=Modi accepts MLAs' choice Yogi Adityanath as U.P. CM|url=https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/8799-modi-accepts-mlas-choice-yogi-adityanath-cm |website=The Sunday Guardian Live |access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=The Deep Caste Symbolism In Yogi Adityanath's Appointment As Uttar Pradesh CM|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/deep-caste-symbolism-in-yogi-adityanaths-appointment-as-uttar-pradesh-cm/298257 |website=Outlook India |access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref> like [[Bhairon Singh Shekhawat]]. Even unlike, [[L. K. Advani]] and [[Kalyan Singh]], he was not a leader of ''Firebrand Hindutva'' ideology and was a very soft-speaken person.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 January 2021|title=Yogi Adityanath a better Uttar Pradesh CM than I was: Rajnath Singh|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/yogi-a-better-cm-than-i-was-rajnath/articleshow/80319708.cms|access-date=17 February 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
{{See also|Rajnath Singh ministry}}
In 2000, he became [[List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh|chief minister]] of Uttar Pradesh and was twice elected as MLA from [[Haidergarh (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Haidergarh]] in 2001 and 2002.<ref name="rediff1" /> He was preceded by [[Ram Prakash Gupta]] and succeeded by [[Mayawati]] after 56 days of [[President's rule]].<ref>[[List of chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh]]</ref> He was also the last chief minister of Undivided U.P. Contributing to his appointment as state minister were his prior experience as education minister and his [[grassroots]] support from his involvement in the anti-corruption [[JP Movement]] in the 1970's.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gupta|first=Moushumi Das|date=8 June 2019|title=Modi's one move showed Rajnath Singh's 44 years of politics can become ineffective in a day|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/newsmaker-of-the-week/modis-one-move-showed-rajnath-singhs-44-years-of-politics-can-become-ineffective-in-a-day/247444/|work=ThePrint|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022023613/https://theprint.in/opinion/newsmaker-of-the-week/modis-one-move-showed-rajnath-singhs-44-years-of-politics-can-become-ineffective-in-a-day/247444/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=New Defence Minister: Rajnath Singh to be the new Defence Minister, Naik to be MoS|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/rajnath-singh-to-be-the-new-defence-minister-of-india/articleshow/69593474.cms|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127212417/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/rajnath-singh-to-be-the-new-defence-minister-of-india/articleshow/69593474.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> At that time there also many leaders in [[BJP]] from Uttar Pradesh, but very few had a strong support at the ground level.<ref>"The politics of Uttar Pradesh was like a Jungle trap"-''The Betrayal of Indian Democracy.''</ref> He was at that time very much close to [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] and had a very clean image among the people of the State.<ref>{{Cite news|title="A Man With No Enemies": Rajnath Singh Appointed Cabinet Minister Again|url=https://www.ndtv.com/people/bjps-rajnath-singh-a-man-with-no-enemies-appointed-cabinet-minister-again-2045616|website=NDTV.com|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024183012/https://www.ndtv.com/people/bjps-rajnath-singh-a-man-with-no-enemies-appointed-cabinet-minister-again-2045616|url-status=live}}</ref> He also popular among [[Rajput]]s (Thakur), a significant community in the state,<ref>{{Cite news|date=19 March 2017|title=Modi accepts MLAs' choice Yogi Adityanath as U.P. CM|url=https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/8799-modi-accepts-mlas-choice-yogi-adityanath-cm|website=The Sunday Guardian Live|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024202202/https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/8799-modi-accepts-mlas-choice-yogi-adityanath-cm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=The Deep Caste Symbolism In Yogi Adityanath's Appointment As Uttar Pradesh CM|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/deep-caste-symbolism-in-yogi-adityanaths-appointment-as-uttar-pradesh-cm/298257|website=Outlook India|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023050026/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/deep-caste-symbolism-in-yogi-adityanaths-appointment-as-uttar-pradesh-cm/298257|url-status=live}}</ref> like [[Bhairon Singh Shekhawat]]. Even unlike, [[L. K. Advani]] and [[Kalyan Singh]], he was not a leader of ''Firebrand Hindutva'' ideology and was a very soft-spoken person.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 January 2021|title=Yogi Adityanath a better Uttar Pradesh CM than I was: Rajnath Singh|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/yogi-a-better-cm-than-i-was-rajnath/articleshow/80319708.cms|access-date=17 February 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=3 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203154000/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/yogi-a-better-cm-than-i-was-rajnath/articleshow/80319708.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Notable reforms as chief minister ===
=== Notable reforms as chief minister ===
While being the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, had accused [[Samajwadi Party]] of providing jobs to a certain community only. Singh had said that discrimination in job opportunities should end in the state.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 March 2017|title=3 big reforms Rajnath Singh is capable of bringing in Uttar Pradesh if he's appointed the CM|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/3-big-reforms-rajnath-singh-is-capable-of-bringing-in-uttar-pradesh-if-hes-appointed-the-cm/590287/ |website=The Financial Express |access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref> He tried to rationalise the reservation structure in government jobs by introducing the most Backward Classes among the OBC and SC, so that the benefit of reservation can reach the lowest status of Society.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Moushumi Das|date=8 June 2019|title=Modi's one move showed Rajnath Singh's 44 years of politics can become ineffective in a day|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/newsmaker-of-the-week/modis-one-move-showed-rajnath-singhs-44-years-of-politics-can-become-ineffective-in-a-day/247444/|access-date=17 February 2021|website=[[ThePrint]]|language=en-US}}</ref>
As chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, he accused the [[Samajwadi Party]] of favouring certain communities for jobs. Singh had said that discrimination in job opportunities should end in the state.<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 March 2017|title=3 big reforms Rajnath Singh is capable of bringing in Uttar Pradesh if he's appointed the CM|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/3-big-reforms-rajnath-singh-is-capable-of-bringing-in-uttar-pradesh-if-hes-appointed-the-cm/590287/|website=The Financial Express|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024111002/https://www.financialexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/3-big-reforms-rajnath-singh-is-capable-of-bringing-in-uttar-pradesh-if-hes-appointed-the-cm/590287/|url-status=live}}</ref> He tried to rationalise the reservation structure in government jobs by introducing the most Backward Classes among the OBC and SC, so that the reservation system could favour those at the bottom of society.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Moushumi Das|date=8 June 2019|title=Modi's one move showed Rajnath Singh's 44 years of politics can become ineffective in a day|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/newsmaker-of-the-week/modis-one-move-showed-rajnath-singhs-44-years-of-politics-can-become-ineffective-in-a-day/247444/|access-date=17 February 2021|website=[[ThePrint]]|language=en-US|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129061550/https://theprint.in/opinion/newsmaker-of-the-week/modis-one-move-showed-rajnath-singhs-44-years-of-politics-can-become-ineffective-in-a-day/247444/|url-status=live}}</ref>


After being the [[Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]] in the year 2000, the first thing on which Singh focused was the Law and Order in the State.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Tone up law and order, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tells UP government|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/tone-up-law-and-order-home-minister-rajnath-singh-tells-up-government/articleshow/46155425.cms|access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref> At that time Uttar Pradesh was at the top of the list of States of India in Crime and the Law and Order lacked a lot in the State.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=A. N. I. Feeds |date=10 May 2018|title=Good improvement in law and order in UP: Rajnath|url=https://www.india.com/news/agencies/good-improvement-in-law-and-order-in-up-rajnath-3045660/ |website=India.com |access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref> Whether he had done good work for the Law Reforms, but it was not applicable on Ground levels and after [[2002 Gujarat riots]] a large portion of public lose faith on [[BJP]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=M|first1=Harsh |date=24 April 2019|title=One thing was distinctly rotten about 2002 Gujarat riots: use of rape as a form of terror|url=https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/one-thing-was-distinctly-rotten-about-2002-gujarat-riots-use-of-rape-as-a-form-of-terror/225511/ |website=ThePrint |access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Why 2002 Gujarat riots still matter|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/asia/2014/05/98891.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref>
When Singh took office as chief minister, Uttar Pradesh had the highest state crime rate in India. Singh thus made establishing law and order a key part of his policy.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Tone up law and order, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tells UP government|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/tone-up-law-and-order-home-minister-rajnath-singh-tells-up-government/articleshow/46155425.cms|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408101746/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/tone-up-law-and-order-home-minister-rajnath-singh-tells-up-government/articleshow/46155425.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |agency=A. N. I. Feeds |date=10 May 2018 |title=Good improvement in law and order in UP: Rajnath |url=https://www.india.com/news/agencies/good-improvement-in-law-and-order-in-up-rajnath-3045660/ |website=India.com |access-date=21 August 2020 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026154015/https://www.india.com/news/agencies/good-improvement-in-law-and-order-in-up-rajnath-3045660/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, after the [[2002 Gujarat riots]] a large portion of the Indian public saw the [[BJP]] as complicit in the riots, which undermined the image of Singh's party and contributed to the loss of his position..<ref>{{Cite news|last1=M|first1=Harsh|date=24 April 2019|title=One thing was distinctly rotten about 2002 Gujarat riots: use of rape as a form of terror|url=https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/one-thing-was-distinctly-rotten-about-2002-gujarat-riots-use-of-rape-as-a-form-of-terror/225511/|website=ThePrint|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725223238/https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/one-thing-was-distinctly-rotten-about-2002-gujarat-riots-use-of-rape-as-a-form-of-terror/225511/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Why 2002 Gujarat riots still matter|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/asia/2014/05/98891.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805191838/https://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/asia/2014/05/98891.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


On 7 February 2001, Singh inaugurated the [[DND Flyway]] which connects Delhi to Noida.<ref name=":5">{{cite news |title='Noida jinx' to keep Akhilesh Yadav away from PM event |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/noida-jinx-to-keep-akhilesh-yadav-away-from-pm-event/articleshow/50372875.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=29 December 2015 |access-date=18 March 2020}}</ref>
On 7 February 2001, Singh inaugurated the [[DND Flyway]] which connects Delhi to Noida.<ref name=":5">{{cite news |title='Noida jinx' to keep Akhilesh Yadav away from PM event |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/noida-jinx-to-keep-akhilesh-yadav-away-from-pm-event/articleshow/50372875.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=29 December 2015 |access-date=18 March 2020 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319181955/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/noida-jinx-to-keep-akhilesh-yadav-away-from-pm-event/articleshow/50372875.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Resignation ===
=== Resignation ===
In the year 2002, he resigned from the position of [[Chief Minister of U.P.]] within the time of 2 years because at that time during the ground test, the [[BJP]] Government was at minority status. Because of the following reason there was imposition of [[President's rule]] in the State, then after that in the 14th Legislative Assembly, [[Mayawati]] became the Chief Minister for the 3rd time.<ref name="Rajnath Singh elections 2020" />
In the year 2002, Singh resigned from the position of chief minister after a 2 year tenure because at that time, the state [[BJP]] Government held only a minority government. After his resignation, the state was under [[President's rule]] for 56 days, until the 14th Legislative Assembly appointed [[Mayawati]] to the position of chief minister for the 3rd time.<ref name="Rajnath Singh elections 2020" />


== Central politics ==
== Rise in national politics ==


=== Union Agriculture Minister (2003–04) ===
=== Union Agriculture Minister (2003–04) ===
In 2003, Singh was appointed as the [[Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare|Minister of Agriculture]] and subsequently for Food Processing in the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] Government led by [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], and was faced with the difficult task of maintaining one of the most volatile areas of India's economy.<ref name=":6">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/06/11/stories/2003061100100800.htm|title=Courage, Mr Rajnath Singh|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=11 June 2003}}</ref> During this period he initiated a few epoch-making projects including the Kisan Call Centre and Farm Income Insurance Scheme.<ref name=":7">[http://wikimapia.org/16811689/Shri-Rajnath-Singh-MP-Loksabh-Ghaziabad-Ex-CM-Uattar-pardesh-1-30-Raj-Nagra "Shri Rajnath Singh, MP (Ghaziabad)"]. wikimapia.org</ref> He brought down interest rates on Agriculture loans and also established Farmer Commission and initiated Farms Income Insurance Scheme.<ref name="achieve">[http://www.rajnathsingh.in/achievements/ "Achievements"]. rajnathsingh.in</ref>
In 2003, Singh was appointed as the [[Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare|Minister of Agriculture]] and subsequently for Food Processing in the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] Government led by [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], and was faced with the difficult task of maintaining one of the most volatile areas of India's economy.<ref name=":6">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/06/11/stories/2003061100100800.htm|title=Courage, Mr Rajnath Singh|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=11 June 2003|access-date=2 January 2007|archive-date=16 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916234436/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/06/11/stories/2003061100100800.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> During this period he initiated a few epoch-making projects including the Kisan Call Centre and Farm Income Insurance Scheme.<ref name=":7">[http://wikimapia.org/16811689/Shri-Rajnath-Singh-MP-Loksabh-Ghaziabad-Ex-CM-Uattar-pardesh-1-30-Raj-Nagra "Shri Rajnath Singh, MP (Ghaziabad)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203359/http://wikimapia.org/16811689/Shri-Rajnath-Singh-MP-Loksabh-Ghaziabad-Ex-CM-Uattar-pardesh-1-30-Raj-Nagra |date=29 October 2013 }}. wikimapia.org</ref> He brought down interest rates on Agriculture loans and also established Farmer Commission and initiated Farms Income Insurance Scheme.<ref name="achieve">[http://www.rajnathsingh.in/achievements/ "Achievements"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521165627/http://www.rajnathsingh.in/achievements/ |date=21 May 2014 }}. rajnathsingh.in</ref>


=== National President of the BJP ===
=== National President of the BJP ===
==== First time (2005–2009) ====
==== First time (2005–2009) ====
[[File:191218-D-WA993-1773 (49238901581).jpg|thumb|Rajnath Singh in Washington in a summit.|left]]
[[File:191218-D-WA993-1773 (49238901581).jpg|thumb|Singh in Washington at a summit.|left]]
After the BJP lost power in the [[2004 Indian general election|2004 general elections]], it was forced to sit in the Opposition. After the resignation of prominent figure [[Lal Krishna Advani]] due to controversial statements over [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/rajnath-singh |website=India Today |access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref> and the murder of strategist [[Pramod Mahajan]], Singh sought to rebuild the party by focusing on the most basic [[Hindutva]] ideologies.<ref name="instinct">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-12-23/india/27815843_1_rajnath-singh-uniform-civil-code-bjp-national-executive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106043944/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-12-23/india/27815843_1_rajnath-singh-uniform-civil-code-bjp-national-executive|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2012|title=It's basic instinct for Rajnath Singh|work=[[The Times of India]] | first1=Lopamudra|last1=Ghatak|date=23 December 2006}}</ref> He announced his position of "no compromise" in relation to the building of a [[Ram Janmabhoomi|Ram Temple]] in [[Ayodhya]] at any cost<ref name="instinct" /> and commended the rule of Vajpayee as Prime Minister, pointing towards all the developments the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] made for the ordinary people of India.<ref>[http://indianewsdiary.com/?p=8951 Rajnath Singh is new BJP President] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311070147/http://indianewsdiary.com/?p=8951 |date=11 March 2014 }}. indianewsdiary.com</ref> He also criticised the role of the English language in India, claiming that most of Indian population is unable to participate in Indian economy and cultural discourse due to extreme preferences shown to English at the expense of native languages.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BJP-chief-claims-English-bad-for-India-triggers-outrage/articleshow/21178996.cms "BJP chief claims English bad for India, triggers outrage."] ''The Times of India''. 20 July 2013</ref> Singh also suspended [[Jaswant Singh]] from the party for praising Jinnah and disrespecting the policies of [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], which also led to a wave of controversies as Jaswant Singh was a very senior leader of the party.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news|title=Jaswant is sacked without show-cause notice, but Vasundhara could defy directive to resign|newspaper=Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/-jaswant-is-sacked-without-showcause-notice-but-vasundhara-could-defy-directive-to-resign-/517003|access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref>  Singh had held many positions for the RSS and the BJP, including serving as the [[Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]] and the President of the BJP's [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha|youth wing]]. He advocated a return to a [[Hindutva]] platform. Singh resigned after the NDA lost the [[2009 Indian general election]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 December 2006|first=Lopamudra |last=Ghatak|title=It's basic instinct for Rajnath Singh|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-basic-instinct-for-Rajnath-Singh/articleshow/911268.cms|access-date=13 October 2020|website=The Times of India}}</ref>
After the BJP lost power in the [[2004 Indian general election|2004 general elections]], it was forced to sit in the Opposition. After the resignation of prominent figure [[Lal Krishna Advani]] due to controversial statements over [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]],<ref>{{Cite news|title=Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/rajnath-singh|website=India Today|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029111926/https://www.indiatoday.in/rajnath-singh|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the murder of strategist [[Pramod Mahajan]], Singh sought to rebuild the party by focusing on the most basic [[Hindutva]] ideologies.<ref name="instinct">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-basic-instinct-for-Rajnath-Singh/articleshow/911268.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106043944/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-12-23/india/27815843_1_rajnath-singh-uniform-civil-code-bjp-national-executive|url-status=live|archive-date=6 November 2012|title=It's basic instinct for Rajnath Singh|work=[[The Times of India]] | first1=Lopamudra|last1=Ghatak|date=23 December 2006}}</ref> He announced his position of "no compromise" in relation to the building of a [[Ram Janmabhoomi|Ram Temple]] in [[Ayodhya]] at any cost<ref name="instinct" /> and commended the rule of Vajpayee as Prime Minister, pointing towards all the developments the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] made for the ordinary people of India.<ref>[http://indianewsdiary.com/?p=8951 Rajnath Singh is new BJP President] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311070147/http://indianewsdiary.com/?p=8951 |date=11 March 2014 }}. indianewsdiary.com</ref> He also criticised the role of the English language in India, claiming that most of Indian population is unable to participate in Indian economy and cultural discourse due to extreme preferences shown to English at the expense of native languages.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BJP-chief-claims-English-bad-for-India-triggers-outrage/articleshow/21178996.cms "BJP chief claims English bad for India, triggers outrage."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426153531/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BJP-chief-claims-English-bad-for-India-triggers-outrage/articleshow/21178996.cms |date=26 April 2023 }} ''The Times of India''. 20 July 2013</ref> Singh also suspended [[Jaswant Singh]] from the party for praising Jinnah and disrespecting the policies of [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], which also led to a wave of controversies as Jaswant Singh was a very senior leader of the party.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news|title=Jaswant is sacked without show-cause notice, but Vasundhara could defy directive to resign|newspaper=Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/-jaswant-is-sacked-without-showcause-notice-but-vasundhara-could-defy-directive-to-resign-/517003|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=25 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225122658/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/-jaswant-is-sacked-without-showcause-notice-but-vasundhara-could-defy-directive-to-resign-/517003/|url-status=live}}</ref>  Singh had held many positions for the RSS and the BJP, including serving as the [[Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]] and the President of the BJP's [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha|youth wing]]. He advocated a return to a [[Hindutva]] platform. Singh resigned after the NDA lost the [[2009 Indian general election]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 December 2006|first=Lopamudra|last=Ghatak|title=It's basic instinct for Rajnath Singh|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-basic-instinct-for-Rajnath-Singh/articleshow/911268.cms|access-date=13 October 2020|website=The Times of India|archive-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003122503/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-basic-instinct-for-Rajnath-Singh/articleshow/911268.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>


He became the BJP National President on 31 December 2005, a post he held till 19 December 2009. In May 2009, he was elected MP from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/Shri%20Rajnath%20Singh%20Biodata_English.pdf|title=Ministry of Home Affairs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606031010/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/Shri%20Rajnath%20Singh%20Biodata_English.pdf|archive-date=6 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>[[File:A delegation from Kerala led by the Rajya Sabha MP, Shri A.K. Antony calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on August 30, 2018.JPG|thumb|A delegation of Rajnath Singh in [[Kerala]] with former [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence of India]], [[A. K. Antony]] and [[Alphons Kannanthanam]].]]
He became the BJP National President on 31 December 2005, a post he held till 19 December 2009. In May 2009, he was elected MP from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/Shri%20Rajnath%20Singh%20Biodata_English.pdf|title=Ministry of Home Affairs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606031010/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/Shri%20Rajnath%20Singh%20Biodata_English.pdf|archive-date=6 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>[[File:A delegation from Kerala led by the Rajya Sabha MP, Shri A.K. Antony calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on August 30, 2018.JPG|thumb|A delegation of Rajnath Singh in [[Kerala]] with former [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence of India]], [[A. K. Antony]] and [[Alphons Kannanthanam]].]]


==== Second time (2013–2014) ====
==== Second time (2013–2014) ====
On 24 January 2013, following the resignation of [[Nitin Gadkari]] due to corruption charges, Singh was re-elected as the BJP's National President.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-19/india/28067924_1_rajnath-singh-nitin-gadkari-bjp-president |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025150732/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-19/india/28067924_1_rajnath-singh-nitin-gadkari-bjp-president |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 October 2012 |title=Rajnath steps down, Gadkari takes over as BJP president |date=19 December 2009 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref>
On 24 January 2013, following the resignation of [[Nitin Gadkari]] due to corruption charges, Singh was re-elected as the BJP's National President.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rajnath-steps-down-Gadkari-takes-over-as-BJP-president/articleshow/5356182.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025150732/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-19/india/28067924_1_rajnath-singh-nitin-gadkari-bjp-president |url-status=live |archive-date=25 October 2012 |title=Rajnath steps down, Gadkari takes over as BJP president |date=19 December 2009 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref>


Singh is on record shortly after the law [[Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code]] was re-instated in 2013, claiming that his party is "unambiguously" in favour of the law, also claiming that "We will state (at an all-party meeting if it is called) that we support Section 377 because we believe that homosexuality is an unnatural act and cannot be supported."<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1131214/jsp/nation/story_17679913.jsp |title=BJP comes out, vows to oppose homosexuality|last=Rameshan|first=Radhika|date=13 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216103934/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1131214/jsp/nation/story_17679913.jsp|archive-date=16 December 2013|website=The Telegraph}}</ref> Singh was elected president for his second term after Gadkari stepped down in 2013. Singh played a large role in the BJP's campaign for the [[2014 Indian general election]], including declaring [[Narendra Modi]] the party's Prime Ministerial candidate despite opposition from within the BJP. After the party's landslide victory, Singh resigned the party presidency to assume the position of Home Minister.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 July 2014|title=Rajnath Singh – from 'Physics lecturer' to 'Union Home Minister'|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/rajnath-singh-home-minister-of-india-bjp-modi-government-latest-18798.html|access-date=13 October 2020|website=www.indiatvnews.com}}</ref>
Singh was on record shortly after the law [[Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code]] was re-instated in 2013, claiming that his party is "unambiguously" in favour of the law, also claiming that "We will state (at an all-party meeting if it is called) that we support Section 377 because we believe that homosexuality is an unnatural act and cannot be supported."<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1131214/jsp/nation/story_17679913.jsp |title=BJP comes out, vows to oppose homosexuality|last=Rameshan|first=Radhika|date=13 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216103934/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1131214/jsp/nation/story_17679913.jsp|archive-date=16 December 2013|website=The Telegraph}}</ref> Singh was elected president for his second term after Gadkari stepped down in 2013. Singh played a large role in the BJP's campaign for the [[2014 Indian general election]], including declaring [[Narendra Modi]] the party's Prime Ministerial candidate despite opposition from within the BJP. After the party's landslide victory, Singh resigned the party presidency to assume the position of Home Minister.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 July 2014|title=Rajnath Singh – from 'Physics lecturer' to 'Union Home Minister'|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/rajnath-singh-home-minister-of-india-bjp-modi-government-latest-18798.html|access-date=13 October 2020|website=www.indiatvnews.com|archive-date=2 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702150650/https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/rajnath-singh-home-minister-of-india-bjp-modi-government-latest-18798.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from [[Lucknow (Lok Sabha constituency)|Lucknow]] constituency and was subsequently elected as a [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of the Parliament]].<ref name="the hindu">[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/rajnath-singh-surpasses-vajpayees-victory-margin-in-lucknow/article6021382.ece "Rajnath Singh surpasses Vajpayee's victory margin in Lucknow"]. ''The Hindu''. 18 May 2014</ref>
He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from [[Lucknow (Lok Sabha constituency)|Lucknow]] constituency and was subsequently elected as a [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of the Parliament]].<ref name="the hindu">[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/rajnath-singh-surpasses-vajpayees-victory-margin-in-lucknow/article6021382.ece "Rajnath Singh surpasses Vajpayee's victory margin in Lucknow"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411061521/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/rajnath-singh-surpasses-vajpayees-victory-margin-in-lucknow/article6021382.ece |date=11 April 2023 }}. ''The Hindu''. 18 May 2014</ref>


== Union Home Minister (2014–19) ==
== Union Home Minister (2014–19) ==
[[File:Shri Raj Nath Singh taking charge as the Union Minister for Home Affairs, in New Delhi on May 29, 2014.jpg|alt=|thumb|Raj Nath Singh taking charge as the Union Minister for Home Affairs, in New Delhi on 29 May 2014.]]
[[File:Shri Raj Nath Singh taking charge as the Union Minister for Home Affairs, in New Delhi on May 29, 2014.jpg|alt=|thumb|Singh taking charge as the Union Minister for Home Affairs, in New Delhi on 29 May 2014.]]
[[File:Indian delegation led by the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh holding a bilateral meeting with Russian delegation led by the Minister for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Kolokolstsev, in Moscow.jpg|thumb|220x220px|Rajnath Singh holding a bilateral meeting with Russian delegation led by the Minister for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Kolokolstsev, in Moscow]]
[[File:Indian delegation led by the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh holding a bilateral meeting with Russian delegation led by the Minister for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Kolokolstsev, in Moscow.jpg|thumb|248x248px|Singh holding a bilateral meeting with Russian delegation led by the Minister for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Kolokolstsev, in Moscow]]
He was appointed the [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Union Minister of Home Affairs]] in the [[Narendra Modi]] [[First Modi ministry|government]] and was sworn in on 26 May 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/portfolios-of-the-union-council-of-ministers-2/|title=Portfolios of the Union Council of Ministers|website=pmindia.gov.in|access-date=24 December 2019}}</ref> At that time he was the former president of the party and was the one who named [[Narendra Modi]] as the Prime Minister Candidate for the party. After the win of the party in 2014 Lok Sabha Election he take over [[Sushilkumar Shinde]] for the president of [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)]] from the year 2014–2019. And he is also the Current Deputy Leader of Lok Sabha from the year 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What is the role of Rajnath Singh? – Google Search|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=What+is+the+role+of+Rajnath+Singh& |website=Google |access-date=26 August 2020}}</ref>{{Sfn|Singh|2019|p=2}}
He was appointed the [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Union Minister of Home Affairs]] in the [[Narendra Modi]] [[First Modi ministry|government]] and was sworn in on 26 May 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/portfolios-of-the-union-council-of-ministers-2/|title=Portfolios of the Union Council of Ministers|website=pmindia.gov.in|access-date=24 December 2019|archive-date=14 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214014324/https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/portfolios-of-the-union-council-of-ministers-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> At that time he was the former president of the party and was the one who named [[Narendra Modi]] as the Prime Minister Candidate for the party. After the win of the party in 2014 Lok Sabha Election he took over the position from [[Sushilkumar Shinde]] as the [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)]] from the year 2014–2019. And he is also the Current Deputy Leader of Lok Sabha from the year 2019.{{Sfn|Singh|2019|p=2}}{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}


=== Controversy over JNU incident ===
=== JNU incident ===
He triggered controversy amid the protests over the police action at [[Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi|Jawaharlal Nehru University]] (JNU), on 14 February 2016, claiming that the "JNU incident" was supported by [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] chief Hafiz Saeed.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rajnath-singh-hafiz-saeed-let-jnu-protests-had-support-of-let-chief-hafiz-saeed-rajnath-singh/|title=Understand the reality... Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed backed JNU incident: Home Minister Rajnath Singh|date=15 February 2016|access-date=24 December 2019}}</ref> He gave the statement when there was an Anti-National speeches in the [[JNU Delhi]] over the anniversary of hanging of Kashmiri Separist [[Maqbool Bhat]] and [[Afzal Guru]] on 9 February 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 February 2016|title=Afzal Guru: A martyr in JNU campus? Anti-India slogans raised, no arrests made|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/jnu-afzal-guru-308204-2016-02-11|access-date=13 October 2020|website=India Today}}</ref> After the statement there was also a vast protest against Singh and after the arrests of [[Umar Khalid]] and [[Kanhaiya Kumar]], he made meeting with many left leaders.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 February 2016|title=JNU row: Who said what on the issue|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/jnu-row-rajnath-singh-kiren-rijiju-kanhaiya-kumar-309004-2016-02-16|access-date=13 October 2020|website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|others=PTI|date=13 February 2016|title=Left leaders meet Rajnath Singh over JNU issue|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jnu-row-left-leaders-meet-rajanth-singh/article8233159.ece|access-date=13 October 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He also assured the citizens that what he said was right and he also people assurance of not tolerating the Anti-National Acts.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 February 2016|title=Rajnath links LeT's Hafiz Saeed to JNU protest, Oppn demands evidence|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/rajnath-links-let-s-hafiz-saeed-to-jnu-event-oppn-demands-evidence/story-DqP2KjJ2HLBQN3kGcXWYPN.html|access-date=13 October 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Singh at that time also appointed an SIT for the investigation of the matter.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Simply a hysterical farce: The 2016 JNU sedition row lingers lacking real evidence|url=https://www.dailyo.in/politics/jnu-sedition-row-kanhaiya-kumar-umar-khalid-congress-bjp-rajnath-singh/story/1/26622.html|access-date=13 October 2020|website=www.dailyo.in}}</ref>
He triggered controversy amid the protests over the police action at [[Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi|Jawaharlal Nehru University]] (JNU), on 14 February 2016, claiming that the "JNU incident" was supported by [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] chief Hafiz Saeed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rajnath-singh-hafiz-saeed-let-jnu-protests-had-support-of-let-chief-hafiz-saeed-rajnath-singh/|title=Understand the reality... Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed backed JNU incident: Home Minister Rajnath Singh|date=15 February 2016|access-date=24 December 2019|archive-date=22 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822100139/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rajnath-singh-hafiz-saeed-let-jnu-protests-had-support-of-let-chief-hafiz-saeed-rajnath-singh/|url-status=live}}</ref> He gave the statement when there was an Anti-National speeches in the [[JNU Delhi]] over the anniversary of hanging of Kashmiri Separist [[Maqbool Bhat]] and [[Afzal Guru]] on 9 February 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 February 2016|title=Afzal Guru: A martyr in JNU campus? Anti-India slogans raised, no arrests made|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/jnu-afzal-guru-308204-2016-02-11|access-date=13 October 2020|website=India Today|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128053321/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/jnu-afzal-guru-308204-2016-02-11|url-status=live}}</ref> After the statement there was also a vast protest against Singh and after the arrests of [[Umar Khalid]] and [[Kanhaiya Kumar]], he made meeting with many left leaders.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 February 2016|title=JNU row: Who said what on the issue|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/jnu-row-rajnath-singh-kiren-rijiju-kanhaiya-kumar-309004-2016-02-16|access-date=13 October 2020|website=India Today|archive-date=6 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506012053/https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/jnu-row-rajnath-singh-kiren-rijiju-kanhaiya-kumar-309004-2016-02-16|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=13 February 2016|title=Left leaders meet Rajnath Singh over JNU issue|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jnu-row-left-leaders-meet-rajanth-singh/article8233159.ece|access-date=13 October 2020|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=12 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912063559/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jnu-row-left-leaders-meet-rajanth-singh/article8233159.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> He also assured the citizens that what he said was right and he also people assurance of not tolerating the Anti-National Acts.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 February 2016|title=Rajnath links LeT's Hafiz Saeed to JNU protest, Oppn demands evidence|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/rajnath-links-let-s-hafiz-saeed-to-jnu-event-oppn-demands-evidence/story-DqP2KjJ2HLBQN3kGcXWYPN.html|access-date=13 October 2020|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329112804/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/rajnath-links-let-s-hafiz-saeed-to-jnu-event-oppn-demands-evidence/story-DqP2KjJ2HLBQN3kGcXWYPN.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Singh at that time also appointed an SIT for the investigation of the matter.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Simply a hysterical farce: The 2016 JNU sedition row lingers lacking real evidence|url=https://www.dailyo.in/politics/jnu-sedition-row-kanhaiya-kumar-umar-khalid-congress-bjp-rajnath-singh/story/1/26622.html|access-date=13 October 2020|website=www.dailyo.in|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305014914/https://www.dailyo.in/politics/jnu-sedition-row-kanhaiya-kumar-umar-khalid-congress-bjp-rajnath-singh/story/1/26622.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


In May 2016, he claimed that infiltration from Pakistan declined by 52% in a period of two years.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 May 2016|title=Narendra Modi's 56-inch chest not reduced an inch: Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280516/narendra-modi-s-56-inch-chest-not-reduced-an-inch-rajnath-singh.html|access-date=17 February 2021|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref>
In May 2016, he claimed that infiltration from Pakistan declined by 52% in a period of two years.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 May 2016|title=Narendra Modi's 56-inch chest not reduced an inch: Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280516/narendra-modi-s-56-inch-chest-not-reduced-an-inch-rajnath-singh.html|access-date=17 February 2021|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304071322/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280516/narendra-modi-s-56-inch-chest-not-reduced-an-inch-rajnath-singh.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Bharat Ke Veer App ===
=== Bharat Ke Veer App ===
On 9 April 2017, he launched [[Bharat Ke Veer]] Web portal and Application with Bollywood actor [[Akshay Kumar]]. This was an initiative taken by him for the welfare of Martyrs' family.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=160767|title=Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates Web Portal 'Bharat ke Veer'|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=11 April 2017}}</ref> '''Bharat Ke Veer''' is a fund-raising initiative by the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]], [[Government of India]] on behalf of members of the Indian paramilitary Forces.<ref>{{Cite news|title='Bharat Ke Veer' initiative pays off, people donate generously|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bharat-ke-veer-initiative-pays-off-people-donate-generously/articleshow/60109913.cms|access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref> Singh himself praised the app and at that time was the first donor of the app.{{Sfn|Chintamani|2019|p=247}}
On 9 April 2017, he launched [[Bharat Ke Veer]] Web portal and Application with Bollywood actor [[Akshay Kumar]]. This was an initiative taken by him for the welfare of Martyrs' family.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=160767|title=Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates Web Portal 'Bharat ke Veer'|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=11 April 2017|archive-date=11 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411140014/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=160767|url-status=live}}</ref> '''Bharat Ke Veer''' is a fund-raising initiative by the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]], [[Government of India]] on behalf of members of the Indian paramilitary Forces.<ref>{{Cite news|title='Bharat Ke Veer' initiative pays off, people donate generously|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bharat-ke-veer-initiative-pays-off-people-donate-generously/articleshow/60109913.cms|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802133545/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bharat-ke-veer-initiative-pays-off-people-donate-generously/articleshow/60109913.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Singh himself praised the app and at that time was the first donor of the app.{{Sfn|Chintamani|2019|p=247}}


An official anthem was launched on 20 January 2018 for the cause '[[Bharat Ke Veer]]' by him along with film star [[Akshay Kumar]], and other ministers [[Kiren Rijiju]], [[Hansraj Gangaram Ahir|Hansraj Ahir]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/akshay-kumar-rajnath-singh-unveil-official-anthem-of-bharat-ke-veer/articleshow/62581609.cms|title=Akshay Kumar, Rajnath Singh unveil official anthem of 'Bharat Ke Veer'|date=20 January 2018}}</ref>
An official anthem was launched on 20 January 2018 for the cause '[[Bharat Ke Veer]]' by him along with film star [[Akshay Kumar]], and other ministers [[Kiren Rijiju]], [[Hansraj Gangaram Ahir|Hansraj Ahir]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/akshay-kumar-rajnath-singh-unveil-official-anthem-of-bharat-ke-veer/articleshow/62581609.cms|title=Akshay Kumar, Rajnath Singh unveil official anthem of 'Bharat Ke Veer'|date=20 January 2018|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215023315/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/akshay-kumar-rajnath-singh-unveil-official-anthem-of-bharat-ke-veer/articleshow/62581609.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Doklam matter ===
=== Doklam matter ===
{{Main|2017 India China border standoff}}
{{Main|2017 India China border standoff}}
[[Doklam]] is a disputed Territory for [[Bhutan]] and China since the 1950s, when China claimed Doklam as its territory and due to which their started Tension between Indian Army and Liberation Army of China.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=12 August 2020|title=No progress made in India-China major general-level talks, all eyes now on diplomatic parleys|url=https://theprint.in/defence/no-progress-made-in-india-china-major-general-level-talks-all-eyes-now-on-diplomatic-parleys/479975/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924083014/https://theprint.in/defence/no-progress-made-in-india-china-major-general-level-talks-all-eyes-now-on-diplomatic-parleys/479975/|archive-date=24 September 2020|access-date=17 February 2021|website=[[ThePrint]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Over the matter Singh assured Public to solve the matter and he had talks with officials of the [[Chinese Communist Party]] over relations between the two countries. Though the matter was between the Bhutan and China, but when Bhutan sought help from India, then India also indulged in the matter. Singh and [[Narendra Modi|Prime Minister Narendra Modi]] also openely opposed the matter and came in the support of Bhutan.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 September 2017|title=India-China dispute to be solved|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/india-withdraws-troops-from-disputed-himalayan-region-defusing-tension-with-china/2017/08/28/b92fddb6-8bc7-11e7-a2b0-e68cbf0b1f19_story.html|access-date=29 September 2020|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]}}</ref> Later, the tension solved at large extent.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |date=17 July 2019|title=Both India and China exercising restraint in Doklam: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/both-india-and-china-exercising-restraint-in-doklam-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-2219749.html |website=Zee News |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Solution To Doklam Standoff Will Be Found Soon, Says Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/solution-to-doklam-standoff-will-be-found-soon-says-rajnath-singh/300589 |magazine=Outlook India |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref> The main reason was also that Singh also threatened China to stop its import and start of Trade War.<ref name=":14" /> On 9 October 2017 China announced that it was ready to maintain peace at frontiers with India reacting to Indian [[Defence Minister of India|Defence Minister]] [[Nirmala Sitharaman]] and Rajnath Singh visit to Nathu La.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 October 2017|title=Ready to maintain peace with India: China on Sitharaman's visit to Nathu La|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ready-to-maintain-peace-at-frontiers-with-india-china-on-sitharaman-s-visit-to-nathu-la/story-EVdlopKMXl0rkre9mRlzqM.html|access-date=30 September 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
 
[[File:The Urban Development Minister of Nepal, Shri Arjun Narsingh K.C. calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on December 19, 2016.jpg|thumb|Urban Development Minister of Nepal,  [[Arjun Narasingha K.C.|Arjun Narsingh K.C.]] calling on the  Singh, in New Delhi]]
[[Doklam]] is a disputed territory between [[Bhutan]] and China since the 1950s and when China unilaterally claimed Doklam as its own territory by trying to build a road in the disputed area, the Indian army stepped-in on behalf of Bhutan which created tensions between the Indian Army and Liberation Army of China.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=12 August 2020|title=No progress made in India-China major general-level talks, all eyes now on diplomatic parleys|url=https://theprint.in/defence/no-progress-made-in-india-china-major-general-level-talks-all-eyes-now-on-diplomatic-parleys/479975/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924083014/https://theprint.in/defence/no-progress-made-in-india-china-major-general-level-talks-all-eyes-now-on-diplomatic-parleys/479975/|archive-date=24 September 2020|access-date=17 February 2021|website=[[ThePrint]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Over the matter Singh assured Public to solve the matter and he had talks with officials of the [[Chinese Communist Party]] over relations between the two countries. Though the matter was between the Bhutan and China, but when Bhutan sought help from India, then India also indulged in the matter. Singh and [[Narendra Modi|Prime Minister Narendra Modi]] also openely opposed the matter and came in the support of Bhutan.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 September 2017|title=India-China dispute to be solved|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/india-withdraws-troops-from-disputed-himalayan-region-defusing-tension-with-china/2017/08/28/b92fddb6-8bc7-11e7-a2b0-e68cbf0b1f19_story.html|access-date=29 September 2020|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|archive-date=29 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829011815/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/india-withdraws-troops-from-disputed-himalayan-region-defusing-tension-with-china/2017/08/28/b92fddb6-8bc7-11e7-a2b0-e68cbf0b1f19_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, the tension solved at large extent.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news|date=17 July 2019|title=Both India and China exercising restraint in Doklam: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/both-india-and-china-exercising-restraint-in-doklam-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-2219749.html|website=Zee News|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121152532/https://zeenews.india.com/india/both-india-and-china-exercising-restraint-in-doklam-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-2219749.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Solution To Doklam Standoff Will Be Found Soon, Says Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/solution-to-doklam-standoff-will-be-found-soon-says-rajnath-singh/300589|magazine=Outlook India|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924014039/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/solution-to-doklam-standoff-will-be-found-soon-says-rajnath-singh/300589|url-status=live}}</ref> The main reason was also that Singh also threatened China to stop its import and start of Trade War.<ref name=":14" /> On 9 October 2017 China announced that it was ready to maintain peace at frontiers with India reacting to Indian [[Defence Minister of India|Defence Minister]] [[Nirmala Sitharaman]] and Rajnath Singh visit to Nathu La.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 October 2017|title=Ready to maintain peace with India: China on Sitharaman's visit to Nathu La|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ready-to-maintain-peace-at-frontiers-with-india-china-on-sitharaman-s-visit-to-nathu-la/story-EVdlopKMXl0rkre9mRlzqM.html|access-date=30 September 2020|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015437/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ready-to-maintain-peace-at-frontiers-with-india-china-on-sitharaman-s-visit-to-nathu-la/story-EVdlopKMXl0rkre9mRlzqM.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Commissioning of Bastariya Battalion ===
=== Commissioning of Bastariya Battalion ===
On 21 May 2018, he commissioned [[Bastariya Battalion]]. As Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh attended the passing out parade of 241 Bastariya Battalion of [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]] in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh on 21 May 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/first-ever-passing-out-parade-of-bastariya-battalion-held-in-chhattisgarh-1238057-2018-05-21|title=First ever graduation parade of 'Bastariya Battalion' held in Chhattisgarh|website=India Today|access-date=6 August 2018}}</ref>
On 21 May 2018, he commissioned [[Bastariya Battalion]]. As Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh attended the passing out parade of 241 Bastariya Battalion of [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]] in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh on 21 May 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/first-ever-passing-out-parade-of-bastariya-battalion-held-in-chhattisgarh-1238057-2018-05-21|title=First ever graduation parade of 'Bastariya Battalion' held in Chhattisgarh|website=India Today|access-date=6 August 2018|archive-date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806151058/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/first-ever-passing-out-parade-of-bastariya-battalion-held-in-chhattisgarh-1238057-2018-05-21|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Union Defence Minister (2019–present)==
==Union Defence Minister (2019–present)==
[[File:Shri Rajnath Singh taking charge as the Union Minister for Defence, in New Delhi on June 01, 2019.jpg|thumb|Shri Rajnath Singh taking charge as the Union Minister for Defence, in the presence of Shri [[Shripad Naik]], Minister of State for Defence, in New Delhi on 1 June 2019.]]
[[File:Shri Rajnath Singh taking charge as the Union Minister for Defence, in New Delhi on June 01, 2019.jpg|thumb|Rajnath Singh taking charge as the Union Minister for Defence, in the presence of [[Shripad Naik]], Minister of State for Defence, in New Delhi on 1 June 2019.]]
Singh became the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Defence minister]] of India on 31 May 2019.<ref>{{citation |title=PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers |url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/pm-modi-allocates-portfolios-full-list-of-new-ministers-1559288502067.html |work=[[Live Mint]] |date=31 May 2019 }}</ref> Singh was given [[Ministry of Defence (India)]] after [[Amit Shah]] was given the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)]]. As Union Defence Minister now, Singh has indicated a subtle shift in India's strategic vision. Among the challenges that the Defence Minister is expected to address are the ever-increasing requirements of India's forces, including increased budgetary requirements, especially in the light of an unstable neighbourhood.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |title=Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh In His 2.0 Avatar|url=http://businessworld.in/article/Union-Defence-Minister-Rajnath-Singh-In-His-2-0-Avatar/19-09-2019-176397 |website=BW Businessworld |access-date=20 August 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Shri Rajnath Singh assumed charge as the Union Minister of Defence for the second consecutive term, in New Delhi on June 13, 2024.jpg|thumb|Rajnath Singh takes office as the Minister of Defense of India for the second consecutive term, in New Delhi on 13 June 2024.]]
 
Singh became the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Defence minister]] of India on 31 May 2019.<ref>{{citation |title=PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers |url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/pm-modi-allocates-portfolios-full-list-of-new-ministers-1559288502067.html |work=[[Live Mint]] |date=31 May 2019 |access-date=2 June 2019 |archive-date=2 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602015648/https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/pm-modi-allocates-portfolios-full-list-of-new-ministers-1559288502067.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Singh was given [[Ministry of Defence (India)]] after [[Amit Shah]] was given the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)]]. As Union Defence Minister now, Singh has indicated a subtle shift in India's strategic vision. Among the challenges that the Defence Minister is expected to address are the ever-increasing requirements of India's forces, including increased budgetary requirements, especially in the light of an unstable neighbourhood.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|title=Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh In His 2.0 Avatar|url=http://businessworld.in/article/Union-Defence-Minister-Rajnath-Singh-In-His-2-0-Avatar/19-09-2019-176397|website=BW Businessworld|access-date=20 August 2020|archive-date=5 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005032002/http://www.businessworld.in/article/Union-Defence-Minister-Rajnath-Singh-In-His-2-0-Avatar/19-09-2019-176397/|url-status=live}}</ref>
After being Defence Minister he had focused mainly on increasing the [[defence budget]] of the nation and has focused on decreasing the import of [[weapon]]s from other nations and making the nation an arms exporter with an [[arms industry]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rajnath Singh: Latest News & Videos, Photos about Rajnath Singh |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Rajnath-Singh |website=The Economic Times |access-date=20 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web|title=India to emerge as major defence exporter: Rajnath Singh – ET Government|url=https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-to-emerge-as-major-defence-exporter-rajnath-singh/73117819|access-date=20 August 2020|website=ETGovernment.com}}</ref> He also stated that:
[[File:PM dedicates to the nation HAL Helicopter Factory at Tumakuru, Karnataka on February 06, 2023.jpg|thumb|Singh, along with Prime Minister Modi inaugurates Asia's largest helicopter manufacturing sector ([[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited|HAL]]) at [[Tumkur]], in [[Karnataka]] in 2023.]]
After being Defence Minister he had focused mainly on increasing the [[defence budget]] of the nation and has focused on decreasing the import of [[weapon]]s from other nations and making the nation an arms exporter with an [[arms industry]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rajnath Singh: Latest News & Videos, Photos about Rajnath Singh |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Rajnath-Singh |website=The Economic Times |access-date=20 August 2020 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814063937/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Rajnath-Singh |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web|title=India to emerge as major defence exporter: Rajnath Singh – ET Government|url=https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-to-emerge-as-major-defence-exporter-rajnath-singh/73117819|access-date=20 August 2020|website=ETGovernment.com|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022160602/https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-to-emerge-as-major-defence-exporter-rajnath-singh/73117819|url-status=live}}</ref> He also stated that:


{{Quote|text="India cannot put hand on hand in the issues of National Security. Now the time has come that India needs to emerge as major arms exporter."|author=Economic Times|title=Rajnath Singh<ref name=":11" />|source=}}
{{Blockquote|text="India cannot put hand on hand in the issues of National Security. Now the time has come that India needs to emerge as major arms exporter."|author=Economic Times|title=Rajnath Singh<ref name=":11" />|source=}}


=== Rafale fighter plane ===
=== Rafale fighter plane ===
{{Main|Rafale deal}}
{{Main|Rafale deal}}
[[File:The Union Minister for Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh with the French Minister of Armed Forces, Ms. Florence Parly, in France on October 08, 2019.jpg|thumb|220x220px|Rajnath Singh with the French Minister of Armed Forces, [[Florence Parly]]]]
[[Dassault Rafale]] is a fighter plane of French origin whose deal was signed by then [[Minister of Defence (India)]], [[Manohar Parrikar]] in 2016 to increase the strength of the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=P |first1=Rajat |date=1 February 2012 |title=French jet Rafale bags $20bn IAF fighter order; India 'briefs' losing European countries |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/French-jet-Rafale-bags-20bn-IAF-fighter-order-India-briefs-losing-European-countries/articleshow/11706551.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref> The [[Government of India]] had signed to buy 126 fighter jets costing $30 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sagar|first=Pradip R.|date=26 January 2014|title=dna exclusive: 100% price escalation on Rafale fighter aircraft to Rs 1.75 lakh crore likely to dent IAF's strike capability|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-dna-exclusive-100-price-escalation-on-rafale-fighter-aircraft-to-rs-175-lakh-crore-likely-to-dent-iaf-s-strike-capability-1957107 |website=DNA India |access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref>


The planes were received during his tenure as the [[Defence Minister of India]]. Though that was also a very controversial issue, Singh received and completed the deal after becoming [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence of India]] and the [[Indian Air Force]] received its first [[Dassault Rafale]] on 8 October 2019, when he personally went to France to receive it.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=8 October 2019|title=Rajnath Singh receives first Rafale in France; delivery in May 2020|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-receives-first-rafale-fighter-jet-from-france/article29618964.ece |issn=0971-751X |access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref> The first fleet of 5 fighter jets landed at [[Ambala Air Force Station]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=29 July 2020|title=India's Rafale lands in Ambala, Rajnath warns those who threaten territorial integrity|url=https://theprint.in/defence/indias-rafale-lands-in-ambala-rajnath-warns-those-who-threaten-territorial-integrity/470446/ |website=ThePrint |access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref>
[[File:The Union Minister for Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh with the French Minister of Armed Forces, Ms. Florence Parly, in France on October 08, 2019.jpg|thumb|254x254px|Singh with the French Minister of Armed Forces, [[Florence Parly]]]]
[[Dassault Rafale]] is a fighter plane of French origin whose deal was signed by then [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]], [[Manohar Parrikar]] in 2016 to increase the strength of the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=P |first1=Rajat |date=1 February 2012 |title=French jet Rafale bags $20bn IAF fighter order; India 'briefs' losing European countries |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/French-jet-Rafale-bags-20bn-IAF-fighter-order-India-briefs-losing-European-countries/articleshow/11706551.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=10 August 2020 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024901/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/French-jet-Rafale-bags-20bn-IAF-fighter-order-India-briefs-losing-European-countries/articleshow/11706551.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Government of India]] had signed to buy 126 fighter jets costing $30 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sagar|first=Pradip R.|date=26 January 2014|title=dna exclusive: 100% price escalation on Rafale fighter aircraft to Rs 1.75 lakh crore likely to dent IAF's strike capability|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-dna-exclusive-100-price-escalation-on-rafale-fighter-aircraft-to-rs-175-lakh-crore-likely-to-dent-iaf-s-strike-capability-1957107|website=DNA India|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012221224/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-dna-exclusive-100-price-escalation-on-rafale-fighter-aircraft-to-rs-175-lakh-crore-likely-to-dent-iaf-s-strike-capability-1957107|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
The planes were received during his tenure as the [[Defence Minister of India]]. Though that was also a very controversial issue, Singh received and completed the deal after becoming [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]], the [[Indian Air Force]] received its first [[Dassault Rafale]] on 8 October 2019 and he personally went to France to receive it.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|date=8 October 2019|title=Rajnath Singh receives first Rafale in France; delivery in May 2020|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-receives-first-rafale-fighter-jet-from-france/article29618964.ece|issn=0971-751X|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809171657/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-receives-first-rafale-fighter-jet-from-france/article29618964.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The first fleet of 5 fighter jets landed at [[Ambala Air Force Station]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=29 July 2020|title=India's Rafale lands in Ambala, Rajnath warns those who threaten territorial integrity|url=https://theprint.in/defence/indias-rafale-lands-in-ambala-rajnath-warns-those-who-threaten-territorial-integrity/470446/|website=ThePrint|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805110541/https://theprint.in/defence/indias-rafale-lands-in-ambala-rajnath-warns-those-who-threaten-territorial-integrity/470446/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
India received the second fleet of [[Rafale]] jets on 29 July 2020. Singh said that "Those wanting to threaten India's territorial Integrity should be aware of India's new capability."<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 July 2020|title=Welcoming Rafale, Rajnath gives a veiled warning to China|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/while-welcoming-rafale-rajnath-gives-a-veiled-warning-to-china-11596024182626.html|website=Livemint|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=19 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519123828/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/while-welcoming-rafale-rajnath-gives-a-veiled-warning-to-china-11596024182626.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


India received the second fleet of [[Rafale]] jets on 29 July 2020. Singh said that "Those wanting to threaten India's territorial Integrity should be aware of India's new capability."<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 July 2020|title=Welcoming Rafale, Rajnath gives a veiled warning to China|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/while-welcoming-rafale-rajnath-gives-a-veiled-warning-to-china-11596024182626.html |website=Livemint |access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref>
The further procurement of more 26 Rafales, with 22 single-seated and 4 double-seated was assigned on 28 April 2025 which remained were acquired shortly before the [[2025 India-Pakistan Aerial Skirmishes]] in the [[Operation Sindoor]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=India and France sign Intergovernmental Agreement on 26 Rafale Jets for Indian Navy |url=https://in.ambafrance.org/India-and-France-sign-Intergovernmental-Agreement-on-26-Rafale-Jets-for-Indian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502225133/https://in.ambafrance.org/India-and-France-sign-Intergovernmental-Agreement-on-26-Rafale-Jets-for-Indian |archive-date=2 May 2025 |access-date=31 May 2025 |website=La France en Inde / France in India |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Indo-China border tension ===
=== Indo-China border tension ===
{{Main|2020 China–India skirmishes}}{{Quote box
{{Main|2020 China–India skirmishes}}
{{Quote box
| title = Rajnath Singh on Galwan
| title = Rajnath Singh on Galwan
| quote = China made transgression attempts on Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector. This includes Kongka, Gogra, and the north bank of Pangong Lake. Our Army took necessary action against these attempts.
| quote = China made transgression attempts on Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector. This includes Kongka, Gogra, and the north bank of Pangong Lake. Our Army took necessary action against these attempts.
| source = Singh.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/china-disrupted-traditional-patrolling-pattern-of-indian-troops-in-galwan-valley-causing-face-off-conditions-rajnath20200915162437/|title=Rajnath Singh reviews as of 15 September 2020|date=2020-09-15|publisher=ANI|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| source = Singh.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/china-disrupted-traditional-patrolling-pattern-of-indian-troops-in-galwan-valley-causing-face-off-conditions-rajnath20200915162437/|title=Rajnath Singh reviews as of 15 September 2020|date=2020-09-15|publisher=ANI|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=13 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513231105/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/china-disrupted-traditional-patrolling-pattern-of-indian-troops-in-galwan-valley-causing-face-off-conditions-rajnath20200915162437/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| align = right
| align = right
| width = 350px
| width = 350px
}}[[File:Defence minister talk during 2020 standoff between India and China.jpg|thumb|Rajnath Singh talk during 2020 standoff between [[Government of India|Indian]] and [[Government of China|Chinese]] officials.|328x328px]]Since May 2020, there has been tension between the [[Security forces]] of India and China over the border region of [[Ladakh]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 June 2020|title=A timeline: India-China's deadliest border clash since 1975 explained|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/a-timeline-india-china-s-deadliest-border-clash-since-1975-explained/story-9Ct6lHQKkRuXM5w2K5xmwO.html|access-date=17 February 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> This situation has seen tension increase as China has put pressure on India.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lintner|first=Bertil|date=1 July 2020|title=China, India standoff more than a war over rocks|url=https://asiatimes.com/2020/07/china-india-standoff-more-than-a-war-over-rocks/ |website=Asia Times |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 June 2020|title=India China news Highlights (June 22): Indian Army's 14 Corps Commander & Chinese counterpart hold meeting, says report|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/india-china-news-live-border-clash-today-chinese-soldiers-killed-galwan-ladakh-modi-rajnath-russia-china-cyber-attack/1999153/ |website=The Financial Express |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=16 June 2020|title=India now says 20 troops killed in China clash|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53061476|access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref>  Singh met with officials of the [[Indian Army]] and also visited the [[Ladakh Range]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 May 2020|title=In 1st comment on Ladakh standoff, Rajnath Singh's pointed reference to Doklam|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dialogue-with-china-is-on-says-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-on-ladakh-standoff/story-jIfRLjjGXvJMqVVOxuiCGK.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref> He also met with the [[Chief of the Defence Staff (India)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] [[Bipin Rawat|General Bipin Rawat]], [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|CNS]] [[Admiral]] [[Karambir Singh]] and [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|COAS]] [[Manoj Mukund Naravane|General Manoj Mukund Naravane]] to discuss about the situation.<ref>{{Cite news |title=India-China standoff: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets CDS, Army Chief to assess LAC situation in Ladakh|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/india-china-standoff-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-meets-cds-army-chief-to-assess-lac-situation-in-ladakh/613592 |website=timesnownews.com |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref> After the martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers during the [[2020 China–India skirmishes]] in [[Galwan Valley]], Singh met with the Indian soldiers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 June 2020|title=3 staggered clashes took place in Galwan Valley|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/3-staggered-clashes-took-place-in-galwan-valley/story-P1tT2X2fWaJu7smOHXEE0I.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |date=19 July 2020|title=Galwan braves get a pat on the back from Rajnath Singh in Ladakh's Lukung|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/galwan-braves-get-a-pat-on-the-back-from-rajnath-singh-in-ladakh-s-lukung/story-aJZvEXH60604K37nfhutqK.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Rajnath Singh personally conveyed appreciation to soldiers for displaying bravery in Galwan clash|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/rajnath-singh-personally-conveyed-appreciation-to-soldiers-for-displaying-bravery-in-galwan-clash/articleshow/77051882.cms?from=mdr|access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref> He also said that he can't guarantee to what extent the tension would go.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 July 2020|title=Can Not Guarantee to What Extent India, China Border Dispute Can be Resolved, Says Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/can-not-guarantee-to-what-extent-india-china-border-dispute-can-be-resolved-says-rajnath-singh-4087468/ |website=India.com |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref> Later the situation was handled.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 June 2020 |title=India-China border dispute at Galwan valley: Top developments |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-china-standoff-top-developments-from-the-day/articleshow/76428511.cms |website=The Times of India|access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 June 2020|title=India-China border tensions Live: World wants to know who India's braves are, says PM Modi|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-china-galwan-valley-live-updates-army-pm-narendra-modi-chinese-army-ladakh-border-tensions-850184.html |website=Deccan Herald |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref>
}}[[File:Defence minister talk during 2020 standoff between India and China.jpg|thumb|Rajnath Singh talk during 2020 standoff between [[Government of India|Indian]] and [[Government of China|Chinese]] officials.|328x328px]]Since May 2020, there has been tension between the [[Security forces]] of India and China over the border region of [[Ladakh]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 June 2020|title=A timeline: India-China's deadliest border clash since 1975 explained|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/a-timeline-india-china-s-deadliest-border-clash-since-1975-explained/story-9Ct6lHQKkRuXM5w2K5xmwO.html|access-date=17 February 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920143436/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/a-timeline-india-china-s-deadliest-border-clash-since-1975-explained/story-9Ct6lHQKkRuXM5w2K5xmwO.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This situation has seen tension increase as China has put pressure on India.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lintner|first=Bertil|date=1 July 2020|title=China, India standoff more than a war over rocks|url=https://asiatimes.com/2020/07/china-india-standoff-more-than-a-war-over-rocks/|website=Asia Times|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809181448/https://asiatimes.com/2020/07/china-india-standoff-more-than-a-war-over-rocks/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=22 June 2020|title=India China news Highlights (June 22): Indian Army's 14 Corps Commander & Chinese counterpart hold meeting, says report|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/india-china-news-live-border-clash-today-chinese-soldiers-killed-galwan-ladakh-modi-rajnath-russia-china-cyber-attack/1999153/|website=The Financial Express|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811032109/https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/india-china-news-live-border-clash-today-chinese-soldiers-killed-galwan-ladakh-modi-rajnath-russia-china-cyber-attack/1999153/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=16 June 2020|title=India now says 20 troops killed in China clash|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53061476|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626152747/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53061476|url-status=live}}</ref> Singh met with officials of the [[Indian Army]] and also visited the [[Ladakh Range]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 May 2020|title=In 1st comment on Ladakh standoff, Rajnath Singh's pointed reference to Doklam|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dialogue-with-china-is-on-says-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-on-ladakh-standoff/story-jIfRLjjGXvJMqVVOxuiCGK.html|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=30 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730031446/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dialogue-with-china-is-on-says-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-on-ladakh-standoff/story-jIfRLjjGXvJMqVVOxuiCGK.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He also met with the [[Chief of the Defence Staff (India)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] [[Bipin Rawat|General Bipin Rawat]], [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|CNS]] [[Admiral]] [[Karambir Singh]] and [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|COAS]] [[Manoj Mukund Naravane|General Manoj Mukund Naravane]] to discuss about the situation.<ref>{{Cite news|title=India-China standoff: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets CDS, Army Chief to assess LAC situation in Ladakh|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/india-china-standoff-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-meets-cds-army-chief-to-assess-lac-situation-in-ladakh/613592|website=timesnownews.com|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717202720/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/india-china-standoff-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-meets-cds-army-chief-to-assess-lac-situation-in-ladakh/613592|url-status=live}}</ref> After the martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers during the [[2020 China–India skirmishes]] in [[Galwan Valley]], Singh met with the Indian soldiers.<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 June 2020|title=3 staggered clashes took place in Galwan Valley|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/3-staggered-clashes-took-place-in-galwan-valley/story-P1tT2X2fWaJu7smOHXEE0I.html|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803135023/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/3-staggered-clashes-took-place-in-galwan-valley/story-P1tT2X2fWaJu7smOHXEE0I.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news|date=19 July 2020|title=Galwan braves get a pat on the back from Rajnath Singh in Ladakh's Lukung|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/galwan-braves-get-a-pat-on-the-back-from-rajnath-singh-in-ladakh-s-lukung/story-aJZvEXH60604K37nfhutqK.html|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809033828/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/galwan-braves-get-a-pat-on-the-back-from-rajnath-singh-in-ladakh-s-lukung/story-aJZvEXH60604K37nfhutqK.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Rajnath Singh personally conveyed appreciation to soldiers for displaying bravery in Galwan clash|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/rajnath-singh-personally-conveyed-appreciation-to-soldiers-for-displaying-bravery-in-galwan-clash/articleshow/77051882.cms?from=mdr|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=5 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705064814/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/rajnath-singh-personally-conveyed-appreciation-to-soldiers-for-displaying-bravery-in-galwan-clash/articleshow/77051882.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref> He also said that he can not guarantee to what extent the tension would go.<ref>{{Cite news|date=17 July 2020|title=Can Not Guarantee to What Extent India, China Border Dispute Can be Resolved, Says Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/can-not-guarantee-to-what-extent-india-china-border-dispute-can-be-resolved-says-rajnath-singh-4087468/|website=India.com|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922151601/https://www.india.com/news/india/can-not-guarantee-to-what-extent-india-china-border-dispute-can-be-resolved-says-rajnath-singh-4087468/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later the situation was handled.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 June 2020 |title=India-China border dispute at Galwan valley: Top developments |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-china-standoff-top-developments-from-the-day/articleshow/76428511.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=9 August 2020 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925165505/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-china-standoff-top-developments-from-the-day/articleshow/76428511.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=16 June 2020|title=India-China border tensions Live: World wants to know who India's braves are, says PM Modi|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-china-galwan-valley-live-updates-army-pm-narendra-modi-chinese-army-ladakh-border-tensions-850184.html|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808161209/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-china-galwan-valley-live-updates-army-pm-narendra-modi-chinese-army-ladakh-border-tensions-850184.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
Then again from the date of 30 August 2020, [[People's Liberation Army]] started the controversy of [[Ladakh]] area by putting a large number of troops over the controversial area and over this [[Chinese Communist Party]] leader [[Yang Jiechi]] and [[People's Liberation Army]] General Wei stated that the matter was started by the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Krishnan|first=Ananth|date=5 September 2020|title=India entirely responsible for current tensions, China's Defence Minister tells Rajnath Singh|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-entirely-responsible-for-current-tensions-chinas-defence-minister-tells-rajnath-singh/article32528872.ece|access-date=30 September 2020|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919150147/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-entirely-responsible-for-current-tensions-chinas-defence-minister-tells-rajnath-singh/article32528872.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Chinese General [[Wei Fenghe]] and his Indian counterpart Singh held a talk, on 4 September in Moscow, on the sidelines of a [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] meeting.<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 September 2020|title=At SCO meet, Rajnath Singh tells China to restore status quo at LAC|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/at-sco-meet-rajnath-singh-tells-china-to-restore-status-quo-at-lac/story-ylvhTnX21W0A9A8nEsFRRK.html|access-date=30 September 2020|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=5 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905020157/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/at-sco-meet-rajnath-singh-tells-china-to-restore-status-quo-at-lac/story-ylvhTnX21W0A9A8nEsFRRK.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 September, the foreign affairs ministers of China and India met in Moscow. Five points were agreed upon in a joint statement, including new CBMs between the two countries. On 21 September, the sixth commander-level meeting took place at Chushul-Moldo BPM.<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 September 2020|title=India, China to hold sixth Corps Commander-level talks today: Report|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-china-to-hold-sixth-corps-commander-level-talks-today-report-120092100190_1.html|access-date=30 September 2020|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926061122/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-china-to-hold-sixth-corps-commander-level-talks-today-report-120092100190_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Indian delegation consisted of Lt Gen Harinder Singh, Lt Gen P G K Menon, two major generals, four brigadiers and other officers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=22 September 2020|title=India and China stick to demands, current ground positions in Ladakh could become status quo|url=https://theprint.in/defence/india-and-china-stick-to-demands-current-ground-positions-in-ladakh-could-become-status-quo/508449/|access-date=30 September 2020|website=ThePrint|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923020024/https://theprint.in/defence/india-and-china-stick-to-demands-current-ground-positions-in-ladakh-could-become-status-quo/508449/|url-status=live}}</ref> The chief of the [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police]] was also a part of the delegation. During this meeting, for the first time, a Ministry of External Affairs representative from the Indian side was also present. Following the 14–hour talks, a joint statement was released, which included both sides have agreed to "stop sending more troops to the frontlines.<ref>{{Cite web|title=China, India hold sixth round of commander-level talks – People's Daily Online|url=http://en.people.cn/n3/2020/0923/c90000-9763522.html|access-date=30 September 2020|website=en.people.cn|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930120927/http://en.people.cn/n3/2020/0923/c90000-9763522.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title="Must Continue Talks To Ensure Full Restoration Of Peace": Rajnath Singh To Chinese Counterpart|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-china-must-continue-talks-to-ensure-full-restoration-of-peace-rajnath-singh-to-chinese-counterpart-2290825|access-date=30 September 2020|website=NDTV.com|archive-date=7 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907225831/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-china-must-continue-talks-to-ensure-full-restoration-of-peace-rajnath-singh-to-chinese-counterpart-2290825|url-status=live}}</ref>


Then again from the date of 30 August 2020, [[People's Liberation Army]] started the controversy of [[Ladakh]] area by putting a large number of troops over the controversial area and over this [[Chinese Communist Party]] leader [[Yang Jiechi]] and [[People's Liberation Army]] General Wei stated that the matter was started by the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Krishnan|first=Ananth|date=5 September 2020|title=India entirely responsible for current tensions, China's Defence Minister tells Rajnath Singh|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-entirely-responsible-for-current-tensions-chinas-defence-minister-tells-rajnath-singh/article32528872.ece|access-date=30 September 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Chinese General [[Wei Fenghe]] and his Indian counterpart Singh held a talk, on 4 September in Moscow, on the sidelines of a [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] meeting.<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 September 2020|title=At SCO meet, Rajnath Singh tells China to restore status quo at LAC|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/at-sco-meet-rajnath-singh-tells-china-to-restore-status-quo-at-lac/story-ylvhTnX21W0A9A8nEsFRRK.html|access-date=30 September 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> On 10 September, the foreign affairs ministers of China and India met in Moscow. Five points were agreed upon in a joint statement, including new CBMs between the two countries. On 21 September, the sixth commander-level meeting took place at Chushul-Moldo BPM.<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 September 2020|title=India, China to hold sixth Corps Commander-level talks today: Report|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-china-to-hold-sixth-corps-commander-level-talks-today-report-120092100190_1.html|access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref> The Indian delegation consisted of Lt Gen Harinder Singh, Lt Gen P G K Menon, two major generals, four brigadiers and other officers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=22 September 2020|title=India and China stick to demands, current ground positions in Ladakh could become status quo|url=https://theprint.in/defence/india-and-china-stick-to-demands-current-ground-positions-in-ladakh-could-become-status-quo/508449/|access-date=30 September 2020|website=ThePrint}}</ref> The chief of the [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police]] was also a part of the delegation. During this meeting, for the first time, a Ministry of External Affairs representative from the Indian side was also present. Following the 14–hour talks, a joint statement was released, which included both sides having agreed to "stop sending more troops to the frontlines.<ref>{{Cite web|title=China, India hold sixth round of commander-level talks – People's Daily Online|url=http://en.people.cn/n3/2020/0923/c90000-9763522.html|access-date=30 September 2020|website=en.people.cn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title="Must Continue Talks To Ensure Full Restoration Of Peace": Rajnath Singh To Chinese Counterpart|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-china-must-continue-talks-to-ensure-full-restoration-of-peace-rajnath-singh-to-chinese-counterpart-2290825|access-date=30 September 2020|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
After the news of the situation became known, Singh assured citizens that the situation is under control and that there is nothing to be worried about. Singh also stated that fake news and rumours were being spread. He also admitted that the [[Chinese Army]] has tried to cross the [[Line of Actual Control|LAC]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=राजनाथ सिंह ने मान लिया, चीनी सैनिक लद्दाख में घुसे!|url=https://www.thelallantop.com/news/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-on-india-china-standoff-in-ladakh/|access-date=30 September 2020|website=LallanTop – News with most viral and Social Sharing Indian content on the web in Hindi|language=hi|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927123410/https://www.thelallantop.com/news/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-on-india-china-standoff-in-ladakh/|url-status=live}}</ref>


After the news of the situation became known, Singh assured citizens that the situation is under control and that there is nothing to be worried about. Singh also stated that fake news and rumours were being spread. He also admitted that the [[Chinese Army]] has tried to cross the [[Line of Actual Control|LAC]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=राजनाथ सिंह ने मान लिया, चीनी सैनिक लद्दाख में घुसे!|url=https://www.thelallantop.com/news/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-on-india-china-standoff-in-ladakh/|access-date=30 September 2020|website=LallanTop – News with most viral and Social Sharing Indian content on the web in Hindi|language=hi}}</ref>
[[File:SCO Defense Ministers meeting (2023).jpg|thumb|327x327px|Singh at the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation|SCO]] defence ministers' meeting in New Delhi on 28 April 2023]]
On 28 April 2023, Chinese Defense Minister [[Li Shangfu]] met with Rajnath Singh as part of the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] defence ministers' meeting in New Delhi, making it the first visit to India by a Chinese Defence Minister since the 2020 border skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65399808 |title=SCO: China defence minister in India amid border tensions |access-date=4 June 2023 |newspaper=BBC |date=28 April 2023 |archive-date=25 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125085613/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65399808 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
On 26 June 2025, he visited China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation defence ministers' meeting in Qingdao, marking the first visit by a senior Indian minister to China since the 2020 border skirmishes and the first by an Indian Defence Minister in 12 years. During the meeting, Singh refused to sign the joint declaration, citing the document's failure to condemn the [[2025 Pahalgam attack]] in [[Kashmir]], which claimed 26 lives, and lack of alignment with India's stance against terrorism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/rajnaths-china-visit-for-sco-marks-new-phase-in-india-china-thaw-since-modi-xi-2024-meet-13900508.html|title=Rajnath's China visit for SCO marks new phase in India–China thaw since Modi-Xi 2024 meet|newspaper=Firstpost|first=Shreya|last=Mundhra|date=25 June 2025|access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-refuses-to-sign-sco-document-that-removed-pahalgam-and-had-balochistan-8764415|title=India Refuses To Sign SCO Document That Skipped Pahalgam, Had Balochistan|newspaper=NDTV|first=Shiv|last=Aroor|date=26 June 2025|access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref>
 
===Russia===
{{Seealso|India and the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
[[File:Defence Minister of Bharat Shri Rajnath Singh with President of The Russian Federation Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.jpg|thumb|Singh with Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] in Moscow on 10 December 2024]]
On 10 December 2024, Singh held talks with Russian Defence Minister [[Andrey Belousov]]. Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening defence ties with Russia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peri |first1=Dinakar |date=10 December 2024 |title=Despite pressure, India consciously decided to deepen engagement with Russia: Rajnath Singh |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/despite-pressure-india-consciously-decided-to-deepen-engagement-with-russia-rajnath/article68970362.ece |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=24 December 2024}}</ref>
 
=== Agnipath Scheme ===
{{Main|Agnipath Scheme}}
 
The [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Defence Ministry]] introduced a revolutionary army recruitment scheme called Agnipath (Agneepatha), for recruitment of soldiers under the rank of commissioned officers. The recruitment was pursued for all the three forces, and the selected candidates were termed as "''Agniveers''". This plan is a four-year termed enroll to candidates ageing between 18 - 24 of age.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 August 2022 |title=Army recruitment rally under 'Agnipath' |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/army-recruitment-rally-under-agnipath/article65726172.ece |access-date=5 August 2022 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=5 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805072016/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/army-recruitment-rally-under-agnipath/article65726172.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> Various protests and oppositions were held, against the scheme, questioning about the future of the candidates, procedure and other standards. Railways were set on fire and suffered losses in [[Bihar]], [[Telangana]] and [[West Bengal]];<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=23 June 2022 |title=Agnipath protests: Railways suffer losses over Rs 1,000 crore, highest in a decade |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/agnipath-protests-indian-railways-suffer-damages-thousand-crore-1965950-2022-06-23 |magazine=India Today |access-date=5 August 2022 |archive-date=5 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805161814/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/agnipath-protests-indian-railways-suffer-damages-thousand-crore-1965950-2022-06-23 |url-status=live }}</ref> the opposition also called it as an [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]] agenda based scheme. The Ministry called it a long pending reform, in the defence field to lower the average of the total military age.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Agnipath protests Highlights: Agnipath a long-pending reform, govt concessions pre-planned, says Defence Ministry |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/agnipath-protests-live-updates-indian-army-7976434/ |access-date=5 August 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=5 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805161814/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/agnipath-protests-live-updates-indian-army-7976434/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Further the [[Delhi High Court]] also stated that it finds no reason to interfere in the process and the government has brought this "In national Interest" of the country.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 February 2023 |title='In national interest': HC upholds Agnipath validity |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-national-interest-hc-upholds-agnipath-validity/articleshow/98286708.cms |access-date=1 March 2023 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228102920/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-national-interest-hc-upholds-agnipath-validity/articleshow/98286708.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Military exercises ===
=== Military exercises ===
{{Empty section|date=February 2021}}
{{Empty section|date=February 2021}} He virtually inaugurated the four-day Indo-Pacific Military Health Exchange (IPMHE) conference.
 
International military exercises known as {{ill|Vostok-2022|ru|Восток-2022}} were launched in Russia's Far East in September 2022, with countries including Russia, India and China taking part in it.<ref>{{cite news |title=Explainers Explained: What does India's participation in Russia's military drills Vostok-2022 mean? |url=https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/explained-what-does-indias-participation-in-russias-military-drills-vostok-2022-mean-11167031.html |work=Firstpost |date=2 September 2022 |access-date=3 June 2023 |archive-date=28 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528235350/https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/explained-what-does-indias-participation-in-russias-military-drills-vostok-2022-mean-11167031.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 April 2023, Singh met with Russian Minister of Defence [[Sergei Shoigu]].<ref>{{cite news |title=India, Russia agree to boost longstanding defence ties |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india-russia-reiterate-commitment-towards-defence-partnership-govt-statement-2023-04-28/ |work=Reuters |date=28 April 2023 |access-date=3 June 2023 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603214051/https://www.reuters.com/world/india-russia-reiterate-commitment-towards-defence-partnership-govt-statement-2023-04-28/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
=== 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict ===
{{Main article|2025 India–Pakistan conflict|2025 India–Pakistan crisis|l2 = crises}}
In July 2025, Rajnath Singh, addressing the [[Indian parliament]], rejected US President [[Donald Trump]]'s claim that the United States had mediated the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May, stating that India had not acted under any external pressure. Singh clarified that military operations, launched in response to the [[2025 Pahalgam attack]], ceased only after all political and military objectives were achieved. He further stated that the decision to halt "'''[[Operation Sindoor]]'''" followed a request from Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations, who sought relief from continued hostilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 July 2025 |title=India says no foreign pressure to stop conflict with Pakistan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y204pmrp2o |access-date=29 July 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 July 2025 |title=Defence minister denies India bowed to pressure to end fighting with Pakistan |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/defence-minister-denies-india-bowed-pressure-end-fighting-with-pakistan-2025-07-28/ |access-date=29 July 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> In November 2025, he said that "tomorrow [[Sindh]] may return to India again."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trivedi |first1=Saurabh |title=Sindh will always be a part of India’s civilisational heritage, says Rajnath |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sindh-may-return-to-india-someday-says-rajnath-singh/article70314994.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=24 November 2025 |language=en-IN |date=23 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Murad, Sherry slam Indian defence minister’s remarks on Sindh |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1957175 |website=Dawn |access-date=25 November 2025 |language=en |date=25 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Momand |first1=Abdullah |last2=Syed |first2=Baqir Sajjad |title=FO denounces Indian defence minister’s ‘delusional, dangerously revisionist’ remarks about Sindh |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1956894 |website=Dawn |language=en |date=23 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hindu Council denouncesIndia's Sindh claim |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2579651/hindu-council-denounces-indias-sindh-claim |website=The Express Tribune |access-date=29 November 2025 |language=en |date=29 November 2025}}</ref>


== Positions and offices ==
== Positions and offices ==
=== Offices held ===
=== Offices held ===
{{Main articles|Electoral history of Rajnath Singh}}
{| class="wikitable"
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!Office  
!Office  
!Constituency
!Constituency
!Year of elected
!Term
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|1.
|[[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of Legislative Assembly]], [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
|[[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] in [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
|[[Mirzapur (Assembly constituency)|Mirzapur]]
|[[Mirzapur (Assembly constituency)|Mirzapur]]
|1977
|1977-1980
|-
|-
|2.
|2.
|[[Member of Legislative Council]] from Uttar Pradesh
|[[Member of Legislative Council]] (MLC)
|
| [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council|Uttar Pradesh]]
|1988
|1988-1994
|-
|-
|3.
|3.
|[[Member of parliament, Rajya Sabha]] from Uttar Pradesh
|[[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]] in [[Rajya Sabha]]  
|
| [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh]]
|1994
|1994-2000
|-
|-
|4.
|4.
|[[Member of parliament, Rajya Sabha]] from Uttar Pradesh
|[[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]] in [[Rajya Sabha]]  
|
| [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh]]
|2000
|2000-2000
|-
|-
|5.
|5.
|[[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of Legislative Assembly]], [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
|[[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] in [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
|[[Haidergarh (assembly constituency)]] (by-elections)
|[[Haidergarh Assembly constituency|Haidergarh]] (by-elections)
|2001
|2001-2002
|-
|-
|6.
|6.
|[[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]], [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
|[[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] in [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
|[[Haidergarh (assembly constituency)]]
|[[Haidergarh Assembly constituency|Haidergarh]]
|2002
|2002-2002
|-
|-
|7.
|7.
|[[Member of parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
|[[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]] in [[Rajya Sabha]]
|
| [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh]]
|2002
|2002-2008
|-
|-
|8.
|8.
|[[Member of parliament, Lok Sabha]]
|[[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]] in [[15th Lok Sabha]]
|[[Ghaziabad (Lok Sabha constituency)]]
|[[Ghaziabad Lok Sabha constituency|Ghaziabad]]
|2009
|2009-2014
|-
|-
|9.
|9.
|[[Member of parliament, Lok Sabha]]
|[[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]] in [[16th Lok Sabha]]
|[[Lucknow (Lok Sabha constituency)]]
|[[Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency|Lucknow]]
|2014
|2014-2019
|-
|-
|10.
|10.
|[[Member of parliament, Lok Sabha]]
|[[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]] in [[17th Lok Sabha]]
|[[Lucknow (Lok Sabha constituency)]]
|[[Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency|Lucknow]]
|2019
|2019-2024
|-
|11
|[[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]] in [[18th Lok Sabha]]
|[[Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency|Lucknow]]
|2024-<ref>{{cite news |title=Bullish Wins & Bearish Losses: Here are the key contests and results of 2024 Lok Sabha polls |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/bullish-wins-bearish-losses-here-are-the-key-contests-of-2024-lok-sabha-results/articleshow/110713130.cms |work=Economic Times |date=6 June 2024 |access-date=27 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727153249/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/bullish-wins-bearish-losses-here-are-the-key-contests-of-2024-lok-sabha-results/articleshow/110713130.cms |archive-date=27 July 2024}}</ref>
|}
|}


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|-
|-
|1.
|1.
|President of BJP Youth Wing
|President of BJP Youth Wing (Uttar Pradesh)
|1984–1986
|1984–1986
| —
| —
Line 282: Line 325:
|-
|-
|2.
|2.
|General Secretary of State(Uttar Pradesh) [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] Youth Wing
|National General Secretary [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] Youth Wing
|1986–1988
|1986–1988
| —
| —
Line 302: Line 345:
|President of BJP Uttar Pradesh
|President of BJP Uttar Pradesh
|1997–1998
|1997–1998
|
|[[Kalraj Mishra]]
|
|[[Om Prakash Singh]]
|-
|-
|6.
|6.
Line 316: Line 359:
|[[Ram Prakash Gupta]]
|[[Ram Prakash Gupta]]
|President- rule
|President- rule
(then [[Mayawati]] succeeded the position)
(then [[Mayawati]])
|-
|-
|8.
|8.
|Union Agriculture Minister
|Union Agriculture Minister
|2003–2004
|2003–2004
|[[Ajit Singh (politician)|Ajit Singh]]
|[[Ajit Singh (politician, born 1939)|Ajit Singh]]
|[[Sharad Pawar]]
|[[Sharad Pawar]]
|-
|-
Line 348: Line 391:
|[[Incumbent]]
|[[Incumbent]]
|}
|}
[[File:Abc-2.jpg|thumb|Rajnath Singh meeting in his Office with a Sikh man.|239x239px]]


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
He married Savitri Singh on 5 June 1971, with whom he has two sons and a daughter.<ref>{{cite web |title=Members : Lok Sabha |url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4268 |website=164.100.47.194 |access-date=18 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="DDMod">{{cite web|url=https://ddpmod.gov.in/sites/default/files/RMprofile6619.pdf|title=Shri Rajnath Singh Hon'ble Raksha Mantri|access-date=18 August 2020}}</ref> His son [[Pankaj Singh (politician)|Pankaj Singh]] is a politician and [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] from [[Noida (Assembly constituency)|Noida]], [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly|Uttar Pradesh]] from BJP.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Shukla|first=Ankita|date=17 November 2018|title=राजनाथ सिंह जीवनी, इतिहास, जाति, शिक्षा, परिवार, पत्नी, माता, पिता !!|url=https://oyehero.com/political/rajnath-singh-biography-in-hindi/ |website=Oye Hero |access-date=25 July 2020}}</ref> Singh is a devout [[Hindu]] and a religious man and is known for soft-spoken behaviour.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lakshmi|first=Rama|date=2019-10-12|title=With Rafale puja, Rajnath Singh was just Hindu Everyman. Criticising him is political suicide|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/with-rafale-puja-rajnath-singh-was-just-hindu-everyman-criticising-him-is-political-suicide/304628/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-05|website=[[ThePrint]]|language=en-US}}</ref>
He married Savitri Singh on 5 June 1971, with whom he has two sons and a daughter.<ref>{{cite web |title=Members : Lok Sabha |url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4268 |website=164.100.47.194 |access-date=18 August 2020 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027033519/http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4268 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="DDMod">{{cite web|url=https://ddpmod.gov.in/sites/default/files/RMprofile6619.pdf|title=Shri Rajnath Singh Hon'ble Raksha Mantri|access-date=18 August 2020|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022020340/https://www.ddpmod.gov.in/sites/default/files/RMprofile6619.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> His son [[Pankaj Singh (politician)|Pankaj Singh]] is a politician and [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] from [[Noida (Assembly constituency)|Noida]], [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly|Uttar Pradesh]] from BJP.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Shukla|first=Ankita|date=17 November 2018|title=राजनाथ सिंह जीवनी, इतिहास, जाति, शिक्षा, परिवार, पत्नी, माता, पिता !!|url=https://oyehero.com/political/rajnath-singh-biography-in-hindi/|website=Oye Hero|access-date=25 July 2020|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725112620/https://oyehero.com/political/rajnath-singh-biography-in-hindi/|url-status=live}}</ref> Singh is a devout [[Hindu]] and a religious man and is known for soft-spoken behaviour.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lakshmi|first=Rama|date=12 October 2019|title=With Rafale puja, Rajnath Singh was just Hindu Everyman. Criticising him is political suicide|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/with-rafale-puja-rajnath-singh-was-just-hindu-everyman-criticising-him-is-political-suicide/304628/|access-date=5 May 2021|website=[[ThePrint]]|language=en-US|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201175458/https://theprint.in/opinion/with-rafale-puja-rajnath-singh-was-just-hindu-everyman-criticising-him-is-political-suicide/304628/|url-status=live}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Narendra Modi]]
{{Portal bar|Biography|India|Politics}}
* [[Amit Shah]]
* [[Yogi Adityanath]]
* [[Yogi Adityanath]]
* [[China–India relations]]


==References==
==References==
Line 364: Line 404:
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


===Bibliography===
==Bibliography==


* {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Rajnath|url=https://ddpmod.gov.in/sites/default/files/RMprofile6619.pdf|title=Profile: Rajnath Singh|publisher=GOI|year=2019|isbn=978-0670092369|pages=1–2}}
* {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Rajnath|url=https://ddpmod.gov.in/sites/default/files/RMprofile6619.pdf|title=Rajneeti A biography of Rajnath Singh|publisher=GOI|year=2019|isbn=978-0670092369|pages=1–2|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022020340/https://www.ddpmod.gov.in/sites/default/files/RMprofile6619.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite book|last=Chintamani|first=Gautam|url=https://www.ibpbooks.com/rajneeti-a-biography-of-rajnath-singh/p/39638|title=Rajneeti: The Biography of Rajnath Singh|publisher=Penguin Books|year=2019|isbn=978-0670092369|location=[[New Delhi]], India|pages=304}}
* {{Cite book|last=Chintamani|first=Gautam|url=https://www.ibpbooks.com/rajneeti-a-biography-of-rajnath-singh/p/39638|title=Rajneeti: A Biography of Rajnath Singh|publisher=Penguin Books|year=2019|isbn=978-0670092369|location=[[New Delhi]], India|pages=304|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023113757/https://www.ibpbooks.com/rajneeti-a-biography-of-rajnath-singh/p/39638|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web|title=Rajnath Singh {{!}} Parliamentary website|url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/rajnath-singh|url-status=live|website=[[Parliament of India]]|publisher=[[Government of India|GOI]]|ref={{SfnRef|Rajnath Singh}}}}
*{{Cite web|title=Rajnath Singh|url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/rajnath-singh|website=[[Parliament of India]]|publisher=[[Government of India|GOI]]|ref={{SfnRef|Rajnath Singh}}|access-date=9 August 2020|archive-date=9 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809155648/https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/rajnath-singh|url-status=live}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Sister project links|display=Rajnath Singh|wikt=no|c=Rajnath Singh|commonscat=yes|n=Category:Rajnath Singh|q=Rajnath Singh|s=no|author=no|b=no|voy=no|v=no|d=Q3506475|species=no|species_author=no|m=no|mw=no|position=right}}
{{Sister project links|display=Rajnath Singh|wikt=no|c=Rajnath Singh|commonscat=yes|n=Category:Rajnath Singh|q=Rajnath Singh|s=no|author=no|b=no|voy=no|v=no|d=Q3506475|species=no|species_author=no|m=no|mw=no|position=right}}
*{{Official website|http://rajnathsingh.in/|name=Official website}}
*{{Official website}}
*{{URL|1=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4268|2=Lok Sabha website}}
 
*{{Twitter|id=rajnathsingh|name=Rajnath Singh}}
* [https://www.bjp.org/hi/shri-rajnath-singh-1 Official profile at Bharatiya Janata Party]
*{{Instagram|id=rajnathsinghbjp|name=Rajnath Singh}}
 


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Latest revision as of 08:51, 18 March 2026


Rajnath Singh
Official portrait, 2025
29th Union Minister of Defence
Assumed office
30 May 2019
PresidentRamnath Kovind
Droupadi Murmu
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byNirmala Sitharaman
30th Union Minister of Home Affairs
In office
26 May 2014 – 30 May 2019
PresidentPranab Mukherjee
Ramnath Kovind
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded bySushilkumar Shinde
Succeeded byAmit Shah
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Assumed office
16 May 2014
Preceded byLalji Tandon
ConstituencyLucknow, Uttar Pradesh
In office
16 May 2009 – 16 May 2014
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byV. K. Singh
ConstituencyGhaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
8th National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party
In office
24 January 2013 – 8 July 2014
Preceded byNitin Jairam Gadkari
Succeeded byAmit Shah
In office
31 December 2005 – 19 December 2009
Preceded byL. K. Advani
Succeeded byNitin Jairam Gadkari
27th Union Minister of Agriculture
In office
24 May 2003 – 22 May 2004
Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee
Preceded byAjit Singh
Succeeded bySharad Pawar
19th Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
In office
28 October 2000 – 8 March 2002
GovernorVishnu Kant Shastri
Preceded byRam Prakash Gupta
Succeeded byPresident's rule
34th Union Minister of Surface Transport
In office
22 November 1999 – 27 October 2000
Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee
Preceded byNitish Kumar
Succeeded byB. C. Khanduri
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
26 November 2002 – 25 November 2008
Preceded byBalwant Singh Ramoowalia
Succeeded byKusum Rai
ConstituencyUttar Pradesh
In office
3 April 1994 – 19 April 2001
Preceded byZ. A. Ahmed
Succeeded byKalraj Mishra
ConstituencyUttar Pradesh
4th National President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha
In office
1988–1990
Preceded byPramod Mahajan
Succeeded byJ. P. Nadda
Personal details
Born (1951-07-10) 10 July 1951 (age 75)
Bhabhaura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Other political
affiliations
Janata Party (1977–1980)
Bharatiya Jana Sangh (before 1977)
Spouse(s)
Savitri Singh
(
m. 1971)
Children3 (including Pankaj Singh)
Residence
Alma materGorakhpur University (M.Sc., Physics)
Profession
  • Politician
  • lecturer
Website{{URL|example.com|optional display text}}
Nickname(s)Kadi Ninda

Rajnath Singh (hi; born 10 July 1951), is an Indian politician and lecturer who is serving as the 29th Minister of Defence since 2019 and as the Deputy Leader of the House, Lok Sabha since 2014. He previously served as the 25th Union Minister of Home Affairs in the first Modi ministry from 2014 to 2019, making him the first person born after Indian independence to hold the office.[1][2][3] He was the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party from 2005 to 2009 and again from 2013 to 2014. Singh was a veteran leader of the BJP who started his career as a swayamsevak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.[4]

Singh previously served as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2000 to 2002 and a Cabinet Minister for Road Transport and Highways in the Vajpayee Government from 1999 to 2000 and the minister of Agriculture from 2003 to 2004. He was the President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha from 1988 to 1990. He was a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Haidergarh constituency twice, and held the office of chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.[5] He was a member of Lok Sabha from Lucknow since 2014 and Ghaziabad from 2009 to 2014. He was also a member of Rajya Sabha from 2002 to 2008 and from 1994 to 2001.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Rajnath Singh was born in Bhabhaura village of Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh to father Ram Badan Singh and mother Gujarati Devi.[6][7][8] He was born into a family of farmers. He received his primary education from a local school of his village and went on to secure a master's degree in physics, acquiring first division results from Gorakhpur University.[9] From childhood he was inspired by the ideology of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.[10] He worked as a lecturer of Physics at K.B. Post-Graduate College Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.[7] He also has a brother, Jaipal Singh.[11]

Early political career[edit | edit source]

Entry into politics[edit | edit source]

Singh had been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh since 1964, at the age of 13 and remained connected with the organisation. He also became Shakha Karyavah (General Secretary) of Mirzapur in the year 1972.[7] After 2 years in the year 1974, he entered politics.[12] Between 1969 and 1971 he was the organizational secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (the student wing of the RSS) in Gorakhpur. He became the general secretary of the RSS's Mirzapur branch in 1972.[13] In 1974, he was appointed secretary for the Mirzapur unit of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, predecessor of Bharatiya Janata Party.[14] In 1975, aged 24, Singh was appointed District President of the Jana Sangh.

JP Movement and Emergency[edit | edit source]

In the 1970s, Singh was influenced by the JP Movement of Jayaprakash Narayan. He was also arrested in the year 1975 during the state of National Emergency for associating with JP Movement and was detained for a time period of 2 years.[15]

Entry into electoral politics[edit | edit source]

After being released from jail, Singh joined the Janata Party founded by Jayprakash Narayan and contested legislative assembly elections from Mirzapur in 1977. He successfully fought the election and was elected as a Member of Legislative Assembly from Mirzapur.[16]

Rise within BJP[edit | edit source]

At that time he gained the popularity in State (politics) and then joined BJP in the year 1980 and was one of the initial members of the Party.[17] He became the State President of the BJP youth wing in 1984, the National general secretary in 1986 and the National President in 1988. He was also elected into the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.[14]

Early ministerial roles[edit | edit source]

Education Minister (1991–1992)[edit | edit source]

In 1991, when the Bharatiya Janata Party formed its first government in Uttar Pradesh under chief minister Kalyan Singh, he was appointed education minister of Uttar Pradesh. He held the education portfolio for a tenure of two years.[18] Major highlights of his tenure as education minister included the controversial Anti-Copying Act, 1992, which made copying a non-bailable offence,[19] modernising science texts, and incorporating vedic mathematics into the curriculum.[5]

Anti-Copying Act, 1992[edit | edit source]

Singh helped push the controversial Anti-Copying Act in response to perceived widespread cheating in schools and colleges in Uttar Pradesh.[15][20][21] when Mulayam Singh Yadav became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, heading Bahujan Samaj Party in the year 1993 he repealed the Act.[22][23]

Modernising the education system[edit | edit source]

In 1991, Singh led a partial rewrite of history textbooks used in government schools and introduced vedic mathematics into the curriculum.[5] Seen as loyal to the RSS, a Hindu nationalist organisation, Singh's changes to state education policy were widely perceived to have been motivated by his RSS affiliation and ideological kinship with the organisation's leadership.[24] As minister, he also focused on promoting the usage of Indian languages instead of English in courses and instruction. At the same time, he stated his appreciation for knowledge of modern languages.[25]

Union Transport Minister (1999–2000)[edit | edit source]

In April 1994, he was elected into the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Parliament) and became involved with the Advisory Committee on Industry (1994–96), Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Agriculture, Business Advisory Committee, House Committee and the Committee on Human Resource Development.[26] On 25 March 1997, he became the President of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit and in 1999 became the Union Cabinet Minister for Surface Transport.[14]

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (2000–02)[edit | edit source]

In 2000, he became chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and was twice elected as MLA from Haidergarh in 2001 and 2002.[19] He was preceded by Ram Prakash Gupta and succeeded by Mayawati after 56 days of President's rule.[27] He was also the last chief minister of Undivided U.P. Contributing to his appointment as state minister were his prior experience as education minister and his grassroots support from his involvement in the anti-corruption JP Movement in the 1970's.[28][29] At that time there also many leaders in BJP from Uttar Pradesh, but very few had a strong support at the ground level.[30] He was at that time very much close to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and had a very clean image among the people of the State.[31] He also popular among Rajputs (Thakur), a significant community in the state,[32][33] like Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Even unlike, L. K. Advani and Kalyan Singh, he was not a leader of Firebrand Hindutva ideology and was a very soft-spoken person.[34]

Notable reforms as chief minister[edit | edit source]

As chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, he accused the Samajwadi Party of favouring certain communities for jobs. Singh had said that discrimination in job opportunities should end in the state.[35] He tried to rationalise the reservation structure in government jobs by introducing the most Backward Classes among the OBC and SC, so that the reservation system could favour those at the bottom of society.[36]

When Singh took office as chief minister, Uttar Pradesh had the highest state crime rate in India. Singh thus made establishing law and order a key part of his policy.[37][38] However, after the 2002 Gujarat riots a large portion of the Indian public saw the BJP as complicit in the riots, which undermined the image of Singh's party and contributed to the loss of his position..[39][40]

On 7 February 2001, Singh inaugurated the DND Flyway which connects Delhi to Noida.[41]

Resignation[edit | edit source]

In the year 2002, Singh resigned from the position of chief minister after a 2 year tenure because at that time, the state BJP Government held only a minority government. After his resignation, the state was under President's rule for 56 days, until the 14th Legislative Assembly appointed Mayawati to the position of chief minister for the 3rd time.[12]

Rise in national politics[edit | edit source]

Union Agriculture Minister (2003–04)[edit | edit source]

In 2003, Singh was appointed as the Minister of Agriculture and subsequently for Food Processing in the NDA Government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and was faced with the difficult task of maintaining one of the most volatile areas of India's economy.[42] During this period he initiated a few epoch-making projects including the Kisan Call Centre and Farm Income Insurance Scheme.[43] He brought down interest rates on Agriculture loans and also established Farmer Commission and initiated Farms Income Insurance Scheme.[44]

National President of the BJP[edit | edit source]

First time (2005–2009)[edit | edit source]

Singh in Washington at a summit.

After the BJP lost power in the 2004 general elections, it was forced to sit in the Opposition. After the resignation of prominent figure Lal Krishna Advani due to controversial statements over Muhammad Ali Jinnah,[45] and the murder of strategist Pramod Mahajan, Singh sought to rebuild the party by focusing on the most basic Hindutva ideologies.[46] He announced his position of "no compromise" in relation to the building of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya at any cost[46] and commended the rule of Vajpayee as Prime Minister, pointing towards all the developments the NDA made for the ordinary people of India.[47] He also criticised the role of the English language in India, claiming that most of Indian population is unable to participate in Indian economy and cultural discourse due to extreme preferences shown to English at the expense of native languages.[48] Singh also suspended Jaswant Singh from the party for praising Jinnah and disrespecting the policies of Jawaharlal Nehru, which also led to a wave of controversies as Jaswant Singh was a very senior leader of the party.[49] Singh had held many positions for the RSS and the BJP, including serving as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the President of the BJP's youth wing. He advocated a return to a Hindutva platform. Singh resigned after the NDA lost the 2009 Indian general election.[50]

He became the BJP National President on 31 December 2005, a post he held till 19 December 2009. In May 2009, he was elected MP from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.[51]

A delegation of Rajnath Singh in Kerala with former Ministry of Defence of India, A. K. Antony and Alphons Kannanthanam.

Second time (2013–2014)[edit | edit source]

On 24 January 2013, following the resignation of Nitin Gadkari due to corruption charges, Singh was re-elected as the BJP's National President.[52]

Singh was on record shortly after the law Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code was re-instated in 2013, claiming that his party is "unambiguously" in favour of the law, also claiming that "We will state (at an all-party meeting if it is called) that we support Section 377 because we believe that homosexuality is an unnatural act and cannot be supported."[53] Singh was elected president for his second term after Gadkari stepped down in 2013. Singh played a large role in the BJP's campaign for the 2014 Indian general election, including declaring Narendra Modi the party's Prime Ministerial candidate despite opposition from within the BJP. After the party's landslide victory, Singh resigned the party presidency to assume the position of Home Minister.[54]

He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow constituency and was subsequently elected as a Member of the Parliament.[55]

Union Home Minister (2014–19)[edit | edit source]

Singh taking charge as the Union Minister for Home Affairs, in New Delhi on 29 May 2014.
Singh holding a bilateral meeting with Russian delegation led by the Minister for Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Kolokolstsev, in Moscow

He was appointed the Union Minister of Home Affairs in the Narendra Modi government and was sworn in on 26 May 2014.[56] At that time he was the former president of the party and was the one who named Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister Candidate for the party. After the win of the party in 2014 Lok Sabha Election he took over the position from Sushilkumar Shinde as the Minister of Home Affairs (India) from the year 2014–2019. And he is also the Current Deputy Leader of Lok Sabha from the year 2019.[24][citation needed]

JNU incident[edit | edit source]

He triggered controversy amid the protests over the police action at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), on 14 February 2016, claiming that the "JNU incident" was supported by Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed.[57] He gave the statement when there was an Anti-National speeches in the JNU Delhi over the anniversary of hanging of Kashmiri Separist Maqbool Bhat and Afzal Guru on 9 February 2016.[58] After the statement there was also a vast protest against Singh and after the arrests of Umar Khalid and Kanhaiya Kumar, he made meeting with many left leaders.[59][60] He also assured the citizens that what he said was right and he also people assurance of not tolerating the Anti-National Acts.[61] Singh at that time also appointed an SIT for the investigation of the matter.[62]

In May 2016, he claimed that infiltration from Pakistan declined by 52% in a period of two years.[63]

Bharat Ke Veer App[edit | edit source]

On 9 April 2017, he launched Bharat Ke Veer Web portal and Application with Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar. This was an initiative taken by him for the welfare of Martyrs' family.[64] Bharat Ke Veer is a fund-raising initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India on behalf of members of the Indian paramilitary Forces.[65] Singh himself praised the app and at that time was the first donor of the app.[66]

An official anthem was launched on 20 January 2018 for the cause 'Bharat Ke Veer' by him along with film star Akshay Kumar, and other ministers Kiren Rijiju, Hansraj Ahir.[67]

Doklam matter[edit | edit source]

Urban Development Minister of Nepal, Arjun Narsingh K.C. calling on the Singh, in New Delhi

Doklam is a disputed territory between Bhutan and China since the 1950s and when China unilaterally claimed Doklam as its own territory by trying to build a road in the disputed area, the Indian army stepped-in on behalf of Bhutan which created tensions between the Indian Army and Liberation Army of China.[68] Over the matter Singh assured Public to solve the matter and he had talks with officials of the Chinese Communist Party over relations between the two countries. Though the matter was between the Bhutan and China, but when Bhutan sought help from India, then India also indulged in the matter. Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also openely opposed the matter and came in the support of Bhutan.[69] Later, the tension solved at large extent.[70][71] The main reason was also that Singh also threatened China to stop its import and start of Trade War.[70] On 9 October 2017 China announced that it was ready to maintain peace at frontiers with India reacting to Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Rajnath Singh visit to Nathu La.[72]

Commissioning of Bastariya Battalion[edit | edit source]

On 21 May 2018, he commissioned Bastariya Battalion. As Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh attended the passing out parade of 241 Bastariya Battalion of CRPF in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh on 21 May 2018.[73]

Union Defence Minister (2019–present)[edit | edit source]

Rajnath Singh taking charge as the Union Minister for Defence, in the presence of Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Defence, in New Delhi on 1 June 2019.
Rajnath Singh takes office as the Minister of Defense of India for the second consecutive term, in New Delhi on 13 June 2024.

Singh became the Defence minister of India on 31 May 2019.[74] Singh was given Ministry of Defence (India) after Amit Shah was given the Ministry of Home Affairs (India). As Union Defence Minister now, Singh has indicated a subtle shift in India's strategic vision. Among the challenges that the Defence Minister is expected to address are the ever-increasing requirements of India's forces, including increased budgetary requirements, especially in the light of an unstable neighbourhood.[75]

Singh, along with Prime Minister Modi inaugurates Asia's largest helicopter manufacturing sector (HAL) at Tumkur, in Karnataka in 2023.

After being Defence Minister he had focused mainly on increasing the defence budget of the nation and has focused on decreasing the import of weapons from other nations and making the nation an arms exporter with an arms industry.[76][77] He also stated that:

"India cannot put hand on hand in the issues of National Security. Now the time has come that India needs to emerge as major arms exporter."

— Economic Times, Rajnath Singh[77]

Rafale fighter plane[edit | edit source]

Singh with the French Minister of Armed Forces, Florence Parly

Dassault Rafale is a fighter plane of French origin whose deal was signed by then Minister of Defence, Manohar Parrikar in 2016 to increase the strength of the Indian Air Force.[78] The Government of India had signed to buy 126 fighter jets costing $30 billion.[79]

The planes were received during his tenure as the Defence Minister of India. Though that was also a very controversial issue, Singh received and completed the deal after becoming Minister of Defence, the Indian Air Force received its first Dassault Rafale on 8 October 2019 and he personally went to France to receive it.[80] The first fleet of 5 fighter jets landed at Ambala Air Force Station.[81]

India received the second fleet of Rafale jets on 29 July 2020. Singh said that "Those wanting to threaten India's territorial Integrity should be aware of India's new capability."[82]

The further procurement of more 26 Rafales, with 22 single-seated and 4 double-seated was assigned on 28 April 2025 which remained were acquired shortly before the 2025 India-Pakistan Aerial Skirmishes in the Operation Sindoor.[83]

Indo-China border tension[edit | edit source]

Rajnath Singh on Galwan
China made transgression attempts on Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector. This includes Kongka, Gogra, and the north bank of Pangong Lake. Our Army took necessary action against these attempts.

Singh.[84]

Rajnath Singh talk during 2020 standoff between Indian and Chinese officials.

Since May 2020, there has been tension between the Security forces of India and China over the border region of Ladakh.[85] This situation has seen tension increase as China has put pressure on India.[86][87][88] Singh met with officials of the Indian Army and also visited the Ladakh Range.[89] He also met with the Chief of the Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, CNS Admiral Karambir Singh and COAS General Manoj Mukund Naravane to discuss about the situation.[90] After the martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers during the 2020 China–India skirmishes in Galwan Valley, Singh met with the Indian soldiers.[91][92][93] He also said that he can not guarantee to what extent the tension would go.[94] Later the situation was handled.[95][96]

Then again from the date of 30 August 2020, People's Liberation Army started the controversy of Ladakh area by putting a large number of troops over the controversial area and over this Chinese Communist Party leader Yang Jiechi and People's Liberation Army General Wei stated that the matter was started by the Indian Armed Forces.[97] Chinese General Wei Fenghe and his Indian counterpart Singh held a talk, on 4 September in Moscow, on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting.[98] On 10 September, the foreign affairs ministers of China and India met in Moscow. Five points were agreed upon in a joint statement, including new CBMs between the two countries. On 21 September, the sixth commander-level meeting took place at Chushul-Moldo BPM.[99] The Indian delegation consisted of Lt Gen Harinder Singh, Lt Gen P G K Menon, two major generals, four brigadiers and other officers.[100] The chief of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police was also a part of the delegation. During this meeting, for the first time, a Ministry of External Affairs representative from the Indian side was also present. Following the 14–hour talks, a joint statement was released, which included both sides have agreed to "stop sending more troops to the frontlines.[101][102]

After the news of the situation became known, Singh assured citizens that the situation is under control and that there is nothing to be worried about. Singh also stated that fake news and rumours were being spread. He also admitted that the Chinese Army has tried to cross the LAC.[103]

Singh at the SCO defence ministers' meeting in New Delhi on 28 April 2023

On 28 April 2023, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu met with Rajnath Singh as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation defence ministers' meeting in New Delhi, making it the first visit to India by a Chinese Defence Minister since the 2020 border skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops.[104]

On 26 June 2025, he visited China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation defence ministers' meeting in Qingdao, marking the first visit by a senior Indian minister to China since the 2020 border skirmishes and the first by an Indian Defence Minister in 12 years. During the meeting, Singh refused to sign the joint declaration, citing the document's failure to condemn the 2025 Pahalgam attack in Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, and lack of alignment with India's stance against terrorism.[105][106]

Russia[edit | edit source]

Singh with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on 10 December 2024

On 10 December 2024, Singh held talks with Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov. Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening defence ties with Russia.[107]

Agnipath Scheme[edit | edit source]

The Defence Ministry introduced a revolutionary army recruitment scheme called Agnipath (Agneepatha), for recruitment of soldiers under the rank of commissioned officers. The recruitment was pursued for all the three forces, and the selected candidates were termed as "Agniveers". This plan is a four-year termed enroll to candidates ageing between 18 - 24 of age.[108] Various protests and oppositions were held, against the scheme, questioning about the future of the candidates, procedure and other standards. Railways were set on fire and suffered losses in Bihar, Telangana and West Bengal;[109] the opposition also called it as an RSS agenda based scheme. The Ministry called it a long pending reform, in the defence field to lower the average of the total military age.[110] Further the Delhi High Court also stated that it finds no reason to interfere in the process and the government has brought this "In national Interest" of the country.[111]

Military exercises[edit | edit source]

He virtually inaugurated the four-day Indo-Pacific Military Health Exchange (IPMHE) conference.

International military exercises known as Vostok-2022 [ru] were launched in Russia's Far East in September 2022, with countries including Russia, India and China taking part in it.[112] On 28 April 2023, Singh met with Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu.[113]

2025 India-Pakistan Conflict[edit | edit source]

In July 2025, Rajnath Singh, addressing the Indian parliament, rejected US President Donald Trump's claim that the United States had mediated the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May, stating that India had not acted under any external pressure. Singh clarified that military operations, launched in response to the 2025 Pahalgam attack, ceased only after all political and military objectives were achieved. He further stated that the decision to halt "Operation Sindoor" followed a request from Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations, who sought relief from continued hostilities.[114][115] In November 2025, he said that "tomorrow Sindh may return to India again."[116][117][118][119]

Positions and offices[edit | edit source]

Offices held[edit | edit source]

S. No Office Constituency Term
1. MLA in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Mirzapur 1977-1980
2. Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Uttar Pradesh 1988-1994
3. MP in Rajya Sabha Uttar Pradesh 1994-2000
4. MP in Rajya Sabha Uttar Pradesh 2000-2000
5. MLA in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Haidergarh (by-elections) 2001-2002
6. MLA in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Haidergarh 2002-2002
7. MP in Rajya Sabha Uttar Pradesh 2002-2008
8. MP in 15th Lok Sabha Ghaziabad 2009-2014
9. MP in 16th Lok Sabha Lucknow 2014-2019
10. MP in 17th Lok Sabha Lucknow 2019-2024
11 MP in 18th Lok Sabha Lucknow 2024-[120]

Positions held[edit | edit source]

S. No. Position Tenure Preceded by Succeeded by
1. President of BJP Youth Wing (Uttar Pradesh) 1984–1986
2. National General Secretary BJP Youth Wing 1986–1988
3. National President of BJP Youth Wing 1988–1989 Pramod Mahajan J. P. Nadda
4. Education Minister of Uttar Pradesh 1991–1992
5. President of BJP Uttar Pradesh 1997–1998 Kalraj Mishra Om Prakash Singh
6. Union Minister of Transportation. 1999–2000 Nitish Kumar B. C. Khanduri
7. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh 2000–2002 Ram Prakash Gupta President- rule

(then Mayawati)

8. Union Agriculture Minister 2003–2004 Ajit Singh Sharad Pawar
9. President of BJP 2005–2009 L. K. Advani Nitin Gadkari
10. President of BJP 2012–2014 Nitin Gadkari Amit Shah
11. Minister of Home Affairs of India 2014–2019 Sushilkumar Shinde Amit Shah
12. Minister of Defence of India 2019–Incumbent Nirmala Sitharaman Incumbent

Personal life[edit | edit source]

He married Savitri Singh on 5 June 1971, with whom he has two sons and a daughter.[121][18] His son Pankaj Singh is a politician and Member of the Legislative Assembly from Noida, Uttar Pradesh from BJP.[122] Singh is a devout Hindu and a religious man and is known for soft-spoken behaviour.[123]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Citations[edit | edit source]

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Political offices
Preceded by
Ram Prakash Gupta
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
2000–2002
Succeeded by
Mayawati
Preceded by
Ajit Singh
Union Minister of Agriculture
2003–2004
Succeeded by
Sharad Pawar
Preceded by
Sushilkumar Shinde
Union Minister of Home Affairs
2014–2019
Succeeded by
Amit Shah
Preceded by
Nirmala Sitharaman
Union Minister of Defence
2019–present
Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by
L. K. Advani
National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party
2005–2009
Succeeded by
Nitin Gadkari
Preceded by
Nitin Gadkari
National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party
2013–2014
Succeeded by
Amit Shah