Arvind Kejriwal was born on August 16, 1968, in Siwani, Haryana, India.
He completed his schooling at Campus School in Hisar and at Christian Missionary Holy Child School in Sonipat. He then pursued a degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, graduating in 1989.
After graduating from IIT, Kejriwal worked briefly with Tata Steel in Jamshedpur. However, he left the job in 1992 to pursue his interest in public service and civil services.
In 1995, Kejriwal joined the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) after qualifying through the Civil Services Examination. He worked as an Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax in Delhi.
In 2000, Kejriwal took a sabbatical from his IRS job to work more closely on social issues. He founded an NGO, named Parivartan.
Kejriwal was a significant force in the RTI movement, which led to the enactment of the Right to Information Act in 2005.
Kejriwal played a crucial role in the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement led by Anna Hazare in 2011, which demanded the enactment of the Jan Lokpal Bill.
Realizing that systemic change required political engagement, Kejriwal launched the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in November 2012.
AAP made a significant impact in its first electoral outing, winning 28 out of 70 seats in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi on December 28, 2013, but resigned after 49 days over the Jan Lokpal Bill issue.
In the 2015 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, AAP won a landslide victory with 67 out of 70 seats. Kejriwal was sworn in as the Chief Minister on February 14, 2015.
Kejriwal led AAP to another decisive victory in the 2020 Delhi elections, winning 62 out of 70 seats, and continued to serve as the Chief Minister.
His government focused on improving public education and healthcare, introducing Mohalla Clinics and reforming government schools. They also introduced subsidized electricity and free water schemes, as well as free bus rides for women in Delhi.
In 2006, Kejriwal was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in recognition of his efforts in the RTI movement.
Arvind Kejriwal is married to Sunita Kejriwal, an IRS officer, and they have two children.
Kejriwal has authored "Swaraj," which outlines his vision for self-governance and the decentralization of power to local communities.
In early 2024, Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor scam case. He faced allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement, and favoritism in the implementation of the excise policy.
Arvind Kejriwal's journey from an IIT engineer to a transformative political leader highlights his commitment to public service, transparency, and anti-corruption.
His transition from activism to politics has made a significant impact on the governance and political landscape of Delhi and India.