Prakash Karat (Indian Politician) Biography

Quick Info

Profession	Politician
Nationality	Indian
Date of Birth	07/02/1948
Age	78 years
Birthplace	Letpandan, Burma (Now Myanmar)

Latest News about Prakash Karat

07/04/2025

At the 24th CPI(M) Party Congress held in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Prakash Karat and Brinda Karat stepped down from the Politburo as part of a generational shift, with eight new members inducted into the 18-member body. An 85-member Central Committee was elected, including 30 new members, and M.A. Baby was chosen as the new General Secretary. Karat, who had served as interim coordinator after Sitaram Yechury's death, dismissed reports of a forced generational shift, stating that a new set of leaders had emerged.

Do you like Prakash Karat?

You can vote only once.

Bio/Wiki

Political Party	Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Political Journey	Became an active member of student politics while studying at the University of Edinburgh. Worked as an aide to the CPI(M) Leader A.K. Gopalan (1971-1973). One of the founders and President of the Student Federation of India (SFI) in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi (1973). Elected as the third president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union. Served as the second president of the Student's Federation of India between 1974 and 1979. Worked underground during the Emergency of India (1975-1976). Secretary of the Delhi State Committee of the CPI(M) (1982-1985). Elected to the Central Committee of the CPI(M) (1985). Became a member of 'Politburo' (1992). General Secretary of the CPI(M) (2005-2015). Served as interim coordinator of the CPI(M) Politburo and Central Committee following the death of Sitaram Yechury until the 24th Party Congress. Stepped down from the Politburo at the 24th CPI(M) Party Congress. Joined CPI(M) in 1970. President — Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (1972-1973). Re-elected as General Secretary in the 19th Congress in 2008 and again at the 20th Congress in 2012.

Political Party

Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Political Journey

Became an active member of student politics while studying at the University of Edinburgh.
Worked as an aide to the CPI(M) Leader A.K. Gopalan (1971-1973).
One of the founders and President of the Student Federation of India (SFI) in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi (1973).
Elected as the third president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union.
Served as the second president of the Student's Federation of India between 1974 and 1979.
Worked underground during the Emergency of India (1975-1976).
Secretary of the Delhi State Committee of the CPI(M) (1982-1985).
Elected to the Central Committee of the CPI(M) (1985).
Became a member of 'Politburo' (1992).
General Secretary of the CPI(M) (2005-2015).
Served as interim coordinator of the CPI(M) Politburo and Central Committee following the death of Sitaram Yechury until the 24th Party Congress.
Stepped down from the Politburo at the 24th CPI(M) Party Congress.
Joined CPI(M) in 1970.
President — Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (1972-1973).
Re-elected as General Secretary in the 19th Congress in 2008 and again at the 20th Congress in 2012.

Physical Stats & More

Height	5' 10" (178 cm)
Eye Color	Black
Hair Color	Salt and Pepper

Educational Qualification(s)

Degrees	B.A. in Economics from Madras Christian College. M.A. in Political Science from University of Edinburgh. MSc from University of Edinburgh. PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Schools	Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School, Chennai
Colleges	Madras Christian College, Chennai University of Edinburgh, UK Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

Personal Life

Caste	Nair
Controversy	Accused of being involved in a foreign funding scam with NewsClick.

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Married
Marriage Date	07/11/1975
Wife	Brinda Karat

Family

Father	Padmanabhan Nair (Clerk in the Burma Railways)
Mother	Radhamma
Spouse	Brinda Karat

Career

Overview	Karat has had a significant impact on Indian politics, particularly within the Communist Party of India (Marxist). His political journey began in student politics and evolved through various positions, including that of General Secretary of CPI(M). Known for his leadership roles and involvement in critical political issues, Karat remains a vital figure in leftist political discourse in India.

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Karat hails from a Maliyali Nair family and lived in Palakkad until he was five, after which he moved to Burma.
2. He secured the first prize in an all-India essay competition on the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
3. On graduation day, he was honored with the best all-round student prize at Madras Christian College.
4. He was encouraged to pursue graduate studies at the University of Edinburgh after completing his thesis on Language and Politics in modern India.
5. Karat was rusticated from the University of Edinburgh during his studies due to anti-apartheid protests.
6. He was twice arrested during the Emergency of India (1975-1976) and spent eight days in prison.
7. Karat is an author, with works including 'Language, Nationality and Politics in India' and 'A World to Win-Essays on the Communist Manifesto'.
8. He announced in 2008 that the CPI(M) would withdraw support from the UPA over the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal.
9. As of 2024, he actively participates in the Polit Bureau of the CPI(M), focusing on internal party matters.
10. Awarded medal for best outgoing student for all-round activities.
11. He was rusticated from the University in 1970 for an anti-apartheid protest action which was suspended on good behaviour.
12. Editor, People’s Democracy, English journal of the CPI(M).

Prakash Karat Politician Indian Letpandan, Burma (Now Myanmar)