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Sharad Pawar Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth12 December 1940

Age84 Years

BirthplaceBaramati, Maharashtra

ProfessionPolitician

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpousePratibhatai Pawar

FamilyDaughter - Supriya Sule; Father - Govindrao Pawar; Mother - Shardabai Pawar; Brother - Pratap Govindrao Pawar; Sister - Saroj Patil; Children - Son: None; Daughter: Supriya Sule;

Sharad Pawar Biography

Veteran Indian politician Sharad Govindrao Pawar has had a public career spanning more than six decades. A founder of the Nationalist Congress Party, he is

Early life and background
Sharad Govindrao Pawar was born on 12 December 1940 in Baramati, Maharashtra. He grew up in the region and later completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce under the University of Pune. Pawar’s family background is rooted in the Maratha community; official records identify his caste as OBC. His parents were Govindrao and Shardabai Pawar, and he has siblings including a younger brother, Pratap Govindrao Pawar, and a sister, Saroj Patil.

Career
Pawar’s entry into electoral politics began in 1967 when he won a seat in the Maharashtra State Assembly as a member of the Indian National Congress. His career has included multiple terms as Chief Minister of Maharashtra, beginning with his selection to lead the state in June 1988 and followed by additional terms, including a fourth swearing-in on 6 March 1993. He also served as leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra assembly after the 1985 elections.

At the national level, Pawar was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1984 from the Baramati constituency. He served as India’s Defence Minister in 1991 under Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao and later managed the Agriculture portfolio when the United Progressive Alliance formed the government after 2004, retaining that role after the 2009 re-election of the coalition.

In 1999, Pawar co-founded the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alongside P. A. Sangma, a party that he led for many years. After the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections, when the NCP lost power in the state, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra. In May 2023 Pawar announced his intention to step down as NCP president but reversed that decision a few days later, saying he would continue as party chief.

Beyond elected posts, Pawar has been active in India’s sporting administration. He became president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2005 and later served as president of the International Cricket Council in 2010.

Public profile
Pawar’s public life spans roles at state and national levels as well as positions in sports administration. He has been associated with several high-profile events and controversies that have drawn media and public attention over the years. He received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in 2017.

Personal life
Sharad Pawar is married to Pratibhatai Pawar. The couple have a daughter, Supriya Sule, who is active in politics. Pawar’s known interests include cricket and travel. Physically, he is listed at approximately 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) in height, with black eyes and salt-and-pepper hair.

Latest updates
In early May 2023 Pawar announced he would step down as NCP president, stating he planned to remain active in politics but without taking on organizational responsibility; within three days he withdrew that resignation and chose to continue as party chief. In February 2024 the Election Commission of India assigned a new electoral symbol — the man blowing a turha, a traditional trumpet — to the Nationalist Congress Party.

Legacy and influence
Across decades of public service, Pawar has been a prominent figure in Maharashtra and national politics. He has held executive roles at the state level multiple times, served in central government cabinets, and helped establish a party that remains a significant political force in Maharashtra. His long tenure in public life and roles in sports governance have added to his public profile.
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Recent Work

Rajya Sabha membership (elected from Maharashtra)

Elected to the Rajya Sabha after the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections; continued parliamentary activity into the 2020s.

2014
Nationalist Congress Party president

Longtime leader of the NCP; announced resignation on 2 May 2023 but withdrew it and continued as party chief on 5 May 2023.

2023
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Career Highlights

  1. First elected to the Maharashtra State Assembly in 1967
  2. Served multiple terms as Chief Minister of Maharashtra, including being sworn in for a fourth term on 6 March 1993
  3. Elected to Lok Sabha from Baramati in 1984
  4. Served as India’s Defence Minister in 1991
  5. Co-founded the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999
  6. Served as Agriculture Minister in the UPA government after 2004 and retained the portfolio after 2009
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sharad Pawar born?

12 December 1940

What is Sharad Pawar known for?

Politician

What is Sharad Pawar’s marital status?

Married

Who is Sharad Pawar married to?

Pratibhatai Pawar