# Jayant Chaudhary

Jayant Singh Chaudhary (Hindi pronunciation:) (born 27 December 1978) is an American born Indian politician and farmer leader. A member of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), he is currently serving as the Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Government of India since 2024. He is member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh since 2022. Previously, he also served as a member of the 15th Lok Sabha from Mathura. He is a third-generation member of the Chaudhary family of Uttar Pradesh and grandson of Charan Singh, former prime minister of India.

## Early life and education

Jayant Chaudhary was born on 27 December 1978 in Dallas, Texas, United States, to Chaudhary Ajit Singh and Radhika Singh. He is a grandson of Chaudhary Charan Singh, former prime minister of India. Historically the Chaudhary family has a farming background and his grandfather, Charan Singh, participated in the Indian Independence Movement and was an active member of Arya Samaj since the 1930s. He graduated from Sri Venkateswara College of the Delhi University and then he did master of science in accounting and finance from the London School of Economics in 2002.

## Political career

Being a third-generation member of the Chaudhary family of Uttar Pradesh, he started his political career at the time of 2009 Indian general election. He became a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha in 2009 representing Mathura as a member of the Rashtriya Lok Dal. During his tenure, he participated in debates and advocated for key issues, particularly those affecting rural and farming communities. Chaudhary introduced a private member Bill focused on fair land acquisition practices and adequate compensation for landowners.
Chaudhary was a member of the Standing Committee on Commerce, the Consultative Committee on Finance, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the Committee on Government Assurances. He has served previously on the Standing Committees on Agriculture and Finance as well as the Committee on Ethics.
In 2012, Chaudhary contested the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections from the Mant constituency. He then won the seat and boosted the RLD presence in western Uttar Pradesh, a region historically aligned with the party’s farmer-centric policies and Rashtriya Lok Dal won nine seats in these elections.
Chaudhary lost the 2014 and 2019 general elections and this period marked a decline in the Rashtriya Lok Dal presence in Uttar Pradesh. Following the passing of his father, Chaudhary Ajit Singh, Jayant was appointed as the national president of the Rashtriya Lok Dal on 25 May 2021.
During the 2020–2021 farmers' protest, Chaudhary criticised the central government for three farm bills and called them as death warrant for farmers while addressing a maha panchayat in Agra district. On 5 July 2022, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament as joint candidate of Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal.
In the 2024 general elections, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), led by Jayant Chaudhary, formed an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Following the elections Chaudhary was appointed as the Union minister of state (Independent charge) for skill development and entrepreneurship and Minister of state in the education department in Third Modi ministry.

## Personal life

Chaudhary is married to fashion designer Charu Singh in 2003, with whom he has two childrens.