The news on Sunday, 14 September 2025, is about C.P. Radhakrishnan, who became the 15th Vice President of India on 12 September 2025. He is a senior Indian politician with over four decades of experience. He belongs to Tamil Nadu and has served in many important roles like Governor and Member of Parliament. This article tells his life story simply and clearly for beginners in India.
Early Life And Education
C.P. Radhakrishnan was born on 4 May 1957 in Tiruppur, a city in Tamil Nadu. He belongs to the Kongu Vellalar Gounder community. He studied at V.O. Chidambaram College in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. There, he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. Along with studies, he was sporty. He was a champion in table tennis and also a long-distance runner during college.
Early Political Start
Radhakrishnan started his political journey very young. At just 17 years old, in 1974, he was elected to the state executive committee of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the political wing linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Jana Sangh was the forerunner to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He joined the BJP when it began in 1980. From the start, Radhakrishnan worked closely with senior leaders and became an aide to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a respected BJP leader and future Prime Minister of India.
CP Radhakrishnan Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Education, Wife, Family Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chandrapuram Ponnusami Radhakrishnan |
| Date of Birth | 4 May 1957 |
| Place of Birth | Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Community | Kongu Vellalar Gounder |
| Education | Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), V. O. Chidambaram College, Thoothukudi |
| Early Affiliations | Joined RSS and Bharatiya Jana Sangh in youth; elected to Jan Sangh state executive committee in 1974 |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since its founding in 1980 |
| Lok Sabha Representation | Elected from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999 |
| Parliamentary Roles | Chairman of Standing Committee on Textiles, member of committees on finance and PSUs |
| State BJP President | Tamil Nadu BJP President from 2004 to 2007 |
| Political Campaigns | Undertook 93-day, 19,000 km Ratha Yatra promoting social/environmental causes |
| Governorships | Governor of Jharkhand (2023-2024), Telangana (additional charge, 2024), Puducherry (Lieutenant Governor, 2024), Maharashtra (2024-2025) |
| Vice President | Elected 15th Vice President of India in September 2025, took oath on 12 September 2025 |
| Other Notable Facts | Addressed UN General Assembly in 2004 on disaster relief coordination; led parliamentary delegations |
Parliamentary Career
C.P. Radhakrishnan was elected twice as a Member of Parliament (MP) representing Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. His first win was in 1998, followed by another in 1999. His victory was important because the BJP usually did not win many seats in Tamil Nadu. He defeated strong candidates and became one of only three BJP MPs to win in Tamil Nadu during that time. He was known for a calm and respected style and earned trust even from political opponents.
During his time in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, he was a member of several important committees. These included the Parliamentary Committee on Public Sector Undertakings, the Consultative Committee on Finance, and the Standing Committee on Textiles, which he chaired. He also served on a special committee investigating a stock exchange scam in 2001.
In 2003, he was part of the Indian parliamentary delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. He spoke on strengthening humanitarian and disaster relief coordination.
Political Leadership
After serving in Parliament, Radhakrishnan became the state president of the BJP in Tamil Nadu from 2004 to 2007. During this time, he led a long and famous 93-day journey called the "Ratha Yatra," covering about 19,000 kilometers across Tamil Nadu. The Yatra aimed to raise awareness about important social and environmental problems. Some of the issues he emphasized included linking rivers, fighting terrorism, removing untouchability, and promoting national unity. This journey helped him build a better connection with grassroots people and showed his dedication to social causes beyond seeking political power.
Roles as Governor
C.P. Radhakrishnan also served as Governor of several important Indian states. He was the Governor of Jharkhand before being appointed as the Governor of Maharashtra in July 2024. Additionally, he held the additional responsibilities of Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry during his career. These roles gave him experience in administration across different regions of India.
Vice President of India
On 12 September 2025, C.P. Radhakrishnan took oath as the 15th Vice President of India, a very important constitutional post. The Vice President is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament. He won this election with 452 votes against 300 for his opponent.
His rise to this high position shows the long and steady path of service he has walked. From a young RSS swayamsevak to state leader, parliamentarian, governor, and now Vice President, Radhakrishnan’s life story is a lesson in patience, dedication, and commitment to the nation.
Personal Traits
People respect him for his simplicity, integrity, and calm personality. He is known as a "good man in the wrong party" by some political critics because he maintained a moderate and respectful image in a tough political environment. Radhakrishnan’s leadership style focuses on consensus-building rather than conflict.
His work for social causes, unity, and development in Tamil Nadu and India is well-appreciated. Many remember his efforts in promoting unity and fighting social evils during his long Ratha Yatra.
Conclusion
C.P. Radhakrishnan is a veteran Indian politician from Tamil Nadu. Born in 1957, he rose through the ranks starting from the Jana Sangh to become an important BJP leader. He served two terms as MP, took part in global forums, and led a long social campaign in Tamil Nadu. Later, he became governor of Jharkhand and Maharashtra and finally was elected Vice President of India in September 2025. His journey is full of hard work, community connection, and steady service to the nation.