Nirmala Sitharaman: Early Life, Education and Career Before Politics

Nirmala Sitharaman is India’s current Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs. But before rising to one of the highest offices in Indian government, Sitharaman had a fascinating early life and career. Let’s take a look at Nirmala Sitharaman’s journey from her childhood in Tamil Nadu to her early professional career in London.

Early Life and Education

Nirmala Sitharaman was born on August 18, 1959 in the temple town of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Her father Narayanan Sitharaman hailed from Musiri, Tiruchirappalli, while her mother Savitri’s family had roots in Thiruvenkadu, Thanjavur and Salem districts of Tamil Nadu.

Sitharaman did her early schooling in Madras and Tiruchirappalli. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1980 from Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College in Tiruchirapalli, where she was known for actively participating in debates and student movements.

In 1984, Sitharaman moved to Delhi to pursue her Master of Arts and M.Phil in economics from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Her M.Phil thesis focused on Indo-European textile trade. It was also at JNU that she met her future husband Parakala Prabhakar.

Early Professional Career

After completing her M.Phil, Sitharaman enrolled in a Ph.D program in economics at JNU. However, she left the program when her husband received a scholarship to study at the London School of Economics.

In London, Sitharaman gained valuable professional experience:

• She briefly worked as a salesperson at the home decor store Habitat
• She served as an assistant economist at the Agricultural Engineers Association in the UK
• She worked as a Senior Manager (Research and Analysis) at PricewaterhouseCoopers
• She had a short stint at BBC World Service

Returning to India in the early 1990s, Sitharaman served as Deputy Director of the Centre for Public Policy Studies in Hyderabad. Demonstrating her passion for education, she also founded Pranava, a reputed school in Hyderabad.

Continued Research and Writing

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Sitharaman continued her research work and regularly contributed to various publications on economic and social issues. She established herself as a thought leader during this period before entering mainstream politics in the late 2000s.

Nirmala Sitharaman’s inspiring journey from a middle-class Tamil family to one of India’s most powerful leaders is a testament to her intellect, hard work and determination. Her early life experiences in academia and the corporate world undoubtedly shaped her worldview and prepared her for the challenges of political leadership.

Questions About Nirmala Sitharaman

Where was Nirmala Sitharaman born?

Nirmala Sitharaman was born on August 18, 1959 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Where did Nirmala Sitharaman study?

Sitharaman completed her B.A. in economics from Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College in Tiruchirapalli in 1980. She then earned her M.A. and M.Phil in economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi.

What was Nirmala Sitharaman’s early career?

Before entering politics, Sitharaman worked as an assistant economist in the UK, a Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers in London, and briefly at BBC World Service. She also served as Deputy Director of a public policy think tank in Hyderabad.