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Nirmala Sitharaman: A Trailblazer in Indian Politics

Nirmala Sitharaman was born on August 18, 1959, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She made history in 2019 as India’s first full-time female finance and corporate affairs minister. A key figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she also served as the defense minister from 2017 to 2019.

### Early Life and Education

Sitharaman grew up in a Tamil Brahmin family. She completed her bachelor’s degree in economics at Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College in Tiruchirappalli. Later, she earned two master’s degrees, one in economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University.

### Career Before Politics

Before entering politics, she worked as a salesperson and then moved on to research roles, including some at PricewaterhouseCoopers and the BBC World Service. After returning to India, she became engaged in public service, helping establish a private school and joining the National Commission for Women.

### Path to Politics

Sitharaman formally joined the BJP in 2006. She quickly rose through the ranks, taking on roles that would prepare her for future leadership positions. When the BJP came to power in 2014, she was appointed as a Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs.

### Defense Minister and Economic Leadership

From September 2017 to May 2019, she was India’s defense minister. Her leadership saw significant events, including establishing the Defence Planning Committee. Under her tenure, India conducted airstrikes in Balakot in response to a deadly attack against its soldiers.

As finance minister from 2019 onward, she faced major challenges, including the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She launched the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, a Self-Reliant India Mission aimed at reviving key sectors and supporting businesses.

### Notable Initiatives and Reforms

Sitharaman has introduced several notable reforms. She led the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and proposed the Income-Tax Bill to modernize the outdated tax framework. The new bill seeks to incorporate digital assets like cryptocurrencies.

Her efforts in digital finance are commendable. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has opened over 545 million bank accounts, notably benefiting women and low-income families. The popularity of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has also soared under her guidance.

### Recent Developments

In 2025, Sitharaman announced a bilateral trade agreement with the U.K., hoping to reach $500 billion in trade with the U.S. by 2030. She also tackled rising inflation by building government reserves of essential goods. In January 2025, inflation was reported at 4.3%, inching closer to the Reserve Bank of India’s target of 4%.

### Recognition

Her leadership has earned her a spot in Forbes’ list of the “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women,” ranking 36th in 2022 and climbing to 28th in 2024. Sitharaman has presented multiple Union Budgets, showcasing her influence in shaping India’s economic landscape.

Nirmala Sitharaman continues to play a crucial role in India’s political and economic narrative, breaking barriers and setting new standards for women’s leadership in a traditionally male-dominated field.



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