Yogi Adityanath
| |
| Yogi Adityanath – Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh | |
| Born | 05 June 1972 (age 53) Panchur, Pauri Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand), India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | B.Sc. in Mathematics |
| Alma mater | Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University |
| Occupation | Politician, Hindu Monk |
| Years active | 1998 – present |
| Known for | Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Hindutva Politics, Strong Law & Order Governance |
| Notable works | Formation of Hindu Yuva Vahini, Ram Mandir Consecration |
| Awards | Listed among Top 5 Most Powerful Indians (2023–24) – The Indian Express |
| Spouse(s) | Not married |
| Parents | Anand Singh Bisht (father), Savitri Devi (mother) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Website | [] |
Yogi Adityanath (Ajay Mohan Singh Bisht) is an Indian Hindu monk and politician serving as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh since 19 March 2017. He is one of India's most powerful political figures and the first chief minister to hold the office for two consecutive terms. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Yogi, who is well-known for his strict law-and-order rule, has centered his political identity on administrative discipline and Hindutva.
Early Life and Education
Yogi Adityanath was born on 5 June 1972 in Panchur village, Pauri Garhwal (then in Uttar Pradesh, now in Uttarakhand) to Anand Singh Bisht, a forest ranger, and Savitri Devi. He completed his B.Sc. in Mathematics from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University.
He joined the Ayodhya Ram Temple movement after being greatly impacted by Hindu nationalism as a young man. He became spiritually coached by Mahant Avaidyanath, the head priest of Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur, whom he met during this period. Adityanath took over as the Mahant (head priest) of the Gorakhnath Math following the death of Avaidyanath in 2014.
Early Political Career
At the age of 26, Yogi Adityanath became one of India's youngest Members of Parliament (MPs) when he was elected to the Gorakhpur seat in 1998. From the same constituency, he later won the Lok Sabha elections in 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014. Additionally, he established the Hindu Yuva Vahini, a youth group in eastern Uttar Pradesh dedicated to advancing social work and Hindu unity.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
First Term (2017–2022)
After the BJP’s landslide victory in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections, Yogi Adityanath was sworn in as the state’s 21st Chief Minister. His administration focused on:
- Improving law and order and reducing crime
- Launching anti-Romeo squads to ensure women’s safety
- Crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses
- Waiving ₹36,000 crore in farmer loans
- Promoting industrial growth through the Defence Industrial Corridor and the Noida Electronics Hub
He gained the nickname “Bulldozer Baba” for using bulldozers to demolish illegal properties linked to criminals.
Second Term (2022–Present)
In 2022, Yogi Adityanath made history by becoming the first UP CM to return to power after a full term. His second term has focused on:
- Building infrastructure and expressways
- Organizing the Global Investors Summit to attract investments
- Strengthening religious tourism — especially through the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Project
- Maintaining strict law enforcement and anti-encroachment drives
Under his leadership, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as one of India’s leading states in investment and infrastructure development.
Policies and Governance
Yogi Adityanath’s government introduced several impactful policies:
- Anti-Conversion (Love Jihad) Ordinance 2020
- Population Control Policy (2021–2030)
- Promotion of One District One Product (ODOP) scheme
- Development of Purvanchal Expressway and Ganga Expressway
Achievements
- First CM of UP to serve two consecutive terms
- Longest-serving Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
- Major boost to infrastructure and law enforcement
- Recognized among India’s Top 5 Most Powerful Leaders (The Indian Express, 2023–24)
- Played a key role in the Ram Mandir consecration in 2024
In Popular Culture
On August 1, 2025, a biographical movie called Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi will be released. The film will depict Yogi Adityanath's transition from monastic life to political leadership, and it is based on Shantanu Gupta's book "The Monk Who Became Chief Minister."