Nand Kishore Yadav: Who is the new Governor of Nagaland

Nand Kishore Yadav was appointed as the Governor of Nagaland by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on Thursday, March 5, 2026. 

Mr Yadav’s appointment follows his tenure as the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.

Early life

Mr. Yadav was born on August 26, 1953, in the Khajekalan area of Old Patna, Bihar, to Panna Lal Yadav, who owned a business in the city and Raj Kumari Yadav.

His great-grandfather, Jhalo Sardar, was a well-known landlord in the area.

Mr. Yadav completed his matriculation in 1969 from the State Marwari High School, Patna. He later went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree at the College of Commerce, Magadh University. 

During his final year of graduation in 1974, Mr. Yadav left his studies to join the JP Movement of ‘total revolution’ led by Jayaprakash Narayan. 

Political career

Mr. Yadav joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(R.S.S.) in 1969 and became active in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in 1971.

He started in local politics as a Councillor in the Patna Municipal Corporation in 1978 and became Deputy Mayor of Patna in 1982. 

Mr Yadav served as the President of the Bihar BJP from 1998 to 2003. 

He is a seven–time member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), representing Patna East(later renamed Patna Sahib) since 1995. 

Key ministerial and constitutional positions

Mr. Yadav has held several key portfolios in the Bihar government, including multiple terms as the Road Construction Minister, Health and Family Welfare Minister, and Tourism Minister under several Nitish Kumar governments

.He served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly from 2013 to 2015.

In February 2024, he was elected as the 17th Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, a role he served in until he was appointed Governor of Nagaland.