22-07-2025
Jagdeep Dhankar Rejected IAS Chance, Picked Up Law At 35 Instead
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At 35, Jagdeep Dhankhar became the youngest president of the Rajasthan High Court Bar Association and played a key role in securing OBC status for Jats in Rajasthan
Long before his ascent to the Vice President's office, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned from his post on Monday evening, made a pivotal choice that shaped his career. Despite clearing the civil services examination, he declined a government posting and instead pursued a career in law.
In 1979, he enrolled with the Rajasthan Bar Council and began practicing at the Rajasthan High Court and later the Supreme Court, laying the foundation for a legal and political journey that would span decades.
Dhankhar quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest president of the Rajasthan High Court Bar Association at the age of 35 in 1990, and was designated a Senior Advocate in the same year. His legal acumen was instrumental in securing OBC status for the Jat community in Rajasthan.
Jagdeep Dhankhar's journey from the village of Jhunjhunu to becoming the 14th Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is a testament to his struggle, education, and dedication. Born on 18 May 1951 into a Jat farmer family in Kithana, a small village in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, he was instilled with the values of simplicity and hard work by his parents, Gokal Chand and Kesari Devi.
Dhankhar, the second of four siblings, overcame numerous challenges in his childhood, demonstrating perseverance that eventually led him to one of the highest offices in the country.
From Village Schools To Sainik School And Beyond
Dhankhar received his primary education at a government primary school in Kithana, walking 4-5 kilometres to school each day. After completing fifth grade, he attended the government middle school in Ghardhana and later enrolled in Sainik School, Chittorgarh, where the military-oriented education further shaped his character.
Despite being selected for both IIT and NDA while at Sainik School, he chose to focus on his studies, earning a BSc (Hons) in Physics from Maharaja College, Jaipur, and an LLB from Rajasthan University in 1978-79. Although he passed the Civil Services Examination, he decided to pursue advocacy instead of joining the IAS.
Dhankar's Political Journey
Dhankhar's political journey began when he won the Lok Sabha election from Jhunjhunu in 1989 on a Janata Dal ticket, becoming an MP for the first time. He served as Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Chandrashekhar government from 1990-91.
When the Janata Dal denied him a ticket in 1991, he joined the Congress and became an MLA from Kishangarh in Ajmer in 1993. He later joined the BJP in 2003.
Dhankhar served as the Governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022, where his differences with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee frequently made headlines. In 2022, he was chosen as the Vice Presidential candidate by the NDA, winning the election by defeating Margaret Alva with 74.37% of the votes.
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