Identity and Background
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rahul Rajiv Gandhi |
| Date of Birth | 19 June 1970 (age 54) |
| Place of Birth | New Delhi, India |
| Education | B.A., Rollins College, Florida; M.Phil., Trinity College, Cambridge |
Rahul Gandhi is the son of Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, India’s most prominent political family. He is the fifth generation of India’s “first family” in politics, the Nehru–Gandhi.
Political Career
| Position | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament | 2004–2019 (Amethi), 2019–2023 (Wayanad), 2024–present (Rae Bareli) |
| INC Vice-President | 2007–2017 |
| INC President | 2017–2019 |
| Leader of Opposition | Since 9 June 2024 |
Rahul Gandhi began his formal political career in 2004 as a Member of Parliament for Amethi. He rose through the Indian National Congress (INC), eventually becoming its President in 2017. His major initiatives include the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which focused on unity, economic justice, and democratic freedoms.
Key Initiatives
- Bharat Jodo Yatra (2022–23): 4,000+ km walk across India from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
- Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (2024): Second phase emphasizing economic and social justice.
- Employment policies for youth and inclusive development.
Legal and Political Developments
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Disqualification from Lok Sabha | March 2023 | Reinstated in August 2023 |
| Defamation Case – Modi Surname | Conviction (2023) | Sentence stayed by Supreme Court |
| Non-bailable Warrant – Amit Shah | Issued May 2025 | Appearance required on 26 June 2025 |
| National Herald Case (₹142 crore) | Charges filed April–May 2025 | Under trial by Enforcement Directorate |
Rahul Gandhi has faced multiple legal controversies. A notable case includes the National Herald money laundering case, where he is accused of benefiting from illicitly transferred assets amounting to ₹142 crore. He also faced temporary disqualification from Parliament over a criminal defamation verdict related to remarks made in 2019.
Net Worth and Assets
| Type of Asset | Value (₹) |
|---|---|
| Movable Assets | ~₹9 crore |
| Immovable Assets | ~₹11 crore |
| Total Net Worth | ~₹20 crore |
His assets include Gurugram commercial office space, Delhi agricultural property, jewellery, mutual funds, and bank accounts. He reported these assets in election affidavits.
Parliamentary Representation
| Constituency | State | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Amethi | Uttar Pradesh | 2004–2019 |
| Wayanad | Kerala | 2019–2023 |
| Rae Bareli | Uttar Pradesh | Since 4 June 2024 |
He was elected from Wayanad, Kerala, after losing Amethi in 2019. He represents Rae Bareli since 2024, replacing his mother.
Family Lineage and Historical Roots
Feroze Jehangir Gandhi
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 September 1912, Bombay |
| Education | Allahabad University; London School of Economics |
| Marriage | Indira Nehru (1942) |
| Career | MP from Rae Bareli; Editor of National Herald |
| Died | 8 September 1960, New Delhi |
Rahul’s paternal grandpa Feroze Gandhi was a journalist and MP. He fought corruption and exposed Nehru-era financial scandals. He left a legacy of free press and legislative activism.
Faredoon Jehangir Ghandy
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Relation | Father of Feroze Jehangir Gandhi |
| Profession | Marine Engineer |
| Family Background | Parsi family with modest origins |
Faredoon Jehangir Ghandy, Rahul’s great-grandfather, lived a life away from public office but laid the foundation for his son’s rise. The original family name, Ghandy, reflects Parsi-Zoroastrian heritage. The name was later changed to “Gandhi” following Feroze’s marriage to Indira Nehru in 1942.
How to distinguish Ghandy from Gandhi
| Name | Profession | Connection to Rahul Gandhi |
|---|---|---|
| Jehangir Faredoon Ghandy | Marine Engineer | Great-grandfather |
| Sir Jehangir Ghandy (CIE) | Tata Industrialist | No familial connection confirmed |
Despite the similarity in names, Sir Jehangir Ghandy, a decorated Tata Steel executive, was not related to the Nehru–Gandhi family lineage. Rahul Gandhi descends from a separate Parsi family line.
Family Tree Snapshot
| Name | Relationship to Rahul Gandhi | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rajiv Gandhi | Father | Prime Minister of India (1984–89) |
| Sonia Gandhi | Mother | Former INC President |
| Feroze Gandhi | Grandfather | Parliamentarian, journalist |
| Indira Gandhi | Grandmother | Prime Minister of India (1966–77, 1980–84) |
| Jawaharlal Nehru | Great-grandfather | India’s first Prime Minister |
| Faredoon Jehangir Ghandy | Great-great-grandfather | Marine Engineer |
FAQ
Who is Rahul Gandhi?
Rahul Gandhi is an Indian politician and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader.
When was Rahul Gandhi born?
He was born in New Delhi on June 19, 1970.
Rahul Gandhi’s education?
Has a B.A. from Rollins College, M.Phil. in Development Studies from Trinity College, Cambridge.
Which constituencies did Rahul Gandhi represent?
He represented Amethi (2004–2019), Wayanad (2019–2023), and Rae Bareli (since 2024).
What is Rahul Gandhi’s net worth?
About ₹20 crore is his declared net worth, divided between moveable and immovable assets.
Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Parliament in 2023. Why?
He was reinstated in August 2023 when the Supreme Court suspended his 2019 defamation conviction.
What is the National Herald case?
The case contains money laundering claims involving ₹142 crore in assets acquired by Gandhi family-affiliated companies.
Who was Feroze Gandhi?
In the 1950s, Rahul’s grandfather Feroze Gandhi exposed corruption as a journalist and MP.
Are Sir Jehangir Ghandy and Rahul Gandhi related?
Sir Jehangir Ghandy was a Tata executive, not Nehru–Gandhi.
What did Rahul Gandhi’s political career emphasise?
He prioritises inclusive economic policies, young employment, democracy, and national unity.
