Kanhaiya Kumar Biography: Wife, Age, Parents, Net Worth, Height, Siblings, Education, Party

Kanhaiya Kumar is a prominent Indian politician, former student leader, activist, public speaker, and author known for serving as president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), leading the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), facing sedition charges in the 2016 JNU controversy, authoring From Bihar to Tihar, and representing the Indian National Congress in elections while advocating for social justice, secularism, and youth empowerment.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Kanhaiya Kumar
• Stage Name: Kanhaiya Kumar
• Born: January 2, 1987
• Age: 39 years old
• Birthplace: Bihat village, Begusarai district, Bihar, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Ethnicity: Indian
• Occupation: Politician, Activist, Public Speaker
• Height: 1.68 m
• Religion: Hinduism
• Parents: Jaishankar Singh and Meena Devi
• Siblings: Manikant Singh and Prince Kumar
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: None
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: $0.5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Kanhaiya Kumar was born on January 2, 1987, in Bihat village near Barauni, Begusarai district, Bihar, India. Brought up by his parents Jaishankar Singh, a farmer who later became paralysed and passed away in 2016, and Meena Devi, an Anganwadi worker, in a modest rural family with traditional support for left-wing politics including the Communist Party of India.

He has two brothers: elder brother Manikant Singh, who works as a supervisor in Assam, and younger brother Prince Kumar. Growing up in a humble background with limited resources, he completed early schooling at Madhya Vidyalaya in Masnadpur, RKC High School in Barauni, and Ram Ratan Singh College in Mokama, Bihar.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the College of Commerce, Arts and Science, Patna, a master’s degree in Sociology from Nalanda Open University, Patna, and a PhD in African Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, in 2019. His ethnicity is Indian. His religion is Hinduism.

Career

Kanhaiya Kumar began his activism through student politics, joining the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI), in 2004. He rose to prominence as the first AISF member to become JNUSU president in September 2015.

In February 2016, he was arrested on sedition charges under IPC 124-A following an event at JNU, spending time in Tihar Jail and facing attacks, which catapulted him to national attention as a symbol of free speech and resistance. Released on bail, he authored From Bihar to Tihar detailing his experiences.

He contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Begusarai on a CPI ticket but lost. He left CPI in September 2021 and joined the Indian National Congress, contesting North East Delhi in 2024 (lost) and remaining active in opposition politics, public speaking, and social justice advocacy focused on Bihar’s development, education, employment, and anti-cronyism.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @kanhaiyakumar

Personal Life

Kanhaiya Kumar, 39, has a height of 1.67 m. He is unmarried with no publicly known spouse, past relationships, or children. He keeps personal life private, focusing on political activism, public engagement, and family support in Bihar.

Coming from a rural, working-class background, he credits his mother’s resilience and family’s CPI leanings for shaping his leftist ideology and commitment to social causes amid personal hardships like his father’s illness and family financial struggles.

Net Worth

Kanhaiya Kumar‘s net worth is estimated at $0.5 million USD. His income primarily comes from:

• Political roles including parliamentary allowances and campaign-related earnings
• Book royalties from From Bihar to Tihar and related publications
• Public speaking engagements and lectures
• Media appearances and interviews
• Social media influence through Instagram and other platforms
• Contributions or support from political party activities and advocacy work