Shashi Tharoor Biography for UPSC/SSC/Banking: education, UN career, parliamentary roles, key books, and exam-relevant facts explained with FAQs and MCQs.
Shashi Tharoor Biography – Education, Diplomatic Career, Politics & Contributions
Early Life and Education
Shashi Tharoor was born on 9 March 1956 in London, England, to Indian parents of Malayali origin. His family moved back to India when he was two, and he studied at Montfort School, Yercaud, Campion School in Mumbai, and St Xavier’s Collegiate School in Kolkata He later earned a BA in History at St Stephen’s College, University of Delhi (1975), and in 1978 received his PhD in International Relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, at age 22 — the youngest at that time
Career at the United Nations
Tharoor joined the United Nations in 1978, beginning at the UNHCR in Geneva. From 1981 to 1984, he headed the UNHCR office in Singapore, overseeing rescue and resettlement efforts for Vietnamese boat people, Polish and Acehnese refugees Later he served as Special Assistant to the UN Under-Secretary‑General for Special Political Affairs, managing peacekeeping efforts in the former Yugoslavia. In 2002 he became Under‑Secretary‑General for Communications and Public Information, a position he held until retirement in 2007. In 2006, India nominated him for UN Secretary‑General, where he finished second to Ban Ki‑moon
Entry into Indian Politics
In 2009, Tharoor entered Indian politics by winning the Lok Sabha seat from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, representing the Indian National Congress. Subsequently, he served as Minister of State for External Affairs (2009–10) and later as MoS for Human Resource Development (2012–14) in the UPA government
Parliamentary Committees and Leadership
After his ministerial tenures, Tharoor remained an active MP and was appointed Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs in September 2024, serving under the Modi government He also chaired committees on Communications & IT, and Chemicals & Fertilizers in earlier terms
Literary Works and Recognition
An accomplished writer, Tharoor has authored over two dozen books. Notable titles include The Great Indian Novel, India: From Midnight to the Millennium, Why I Am a Hindu, The Paradoxical Prime Minister, Inglorious Empire (also published as An Era of Darkness), and Ambedkar: A Life published in October 2022 Inglorious Empire earned him the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2019 and the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2017
Public Influence and Soft Power Advocacy
Tharoor is known for his commanding oratory and advocacy of India’s soft power—culture, literature, diplomacy. His 2015 Oxford Union speech, arguing “Britain owes reparations to its former colonies”, went viral and catalysed his later book Inglorious EmpireHe is also a pioneer of social media in Indian politics, being the first Indian politician to reach 10,000 and then 100,000 followers on Twitter by 2013
Tharoor’s multifaceted career spans diplomacy, literature, parliamentary leadership, and public discourse—making him a quintessential subject for current affairs and general studies preparation.
Why This News Is Important
Relevance to Competitive Exams
Shashi Tharoor’s life and work intersect with crucial topics in both national and international affairs, making his profile highly relevant for exams like UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, Banking, Defence, Railways, Police, and Teaching. His career covers diplomacy, Parliamentary roles, constitutional operations, and public policy.
Insight into Indian Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
His nearly three‑decade UN career and bid for the position of UN Secretary‑General embody India’s global engagement and multilateral diplomacy. These areas are often covered under International Relations in syllabi.
Literary Contributions for GS and Essay Writing
Tharoor’s books such as Inglorious Empire, Why I Am a Hindu, and Ambedkar: A Life provide rich source material for essays, interviews, and GS‑II/III answers. His storytelling combines history, policy critique, and narrative flair that augment answer writing skills.
Parliamentary Work and Governance
As a four‑term MP and current Chairman of the External Affairs Committee, Tharoor features prominently in legislative oversight, foreign affairs committees, and policy critique, all topics frequently tested in exams related to governance and polity.
Historical Context: India, UN and Diplomacy Background
India’s Diplomatic Engagement Post‑Independence
Since independence, India has progressively enhanced its role in multilateral forums like the UN. Tharoor’s elevation to UN Under‑Secretary‑General and candidacy for Secretary‑General in 2006 reflects this ascending trajectory, similar to earlier Indian diplomats like Vijay Lakshmi Pandit and S. Radhakrishnan.
Evolution of India’s Parliamentary Committees
Parliamentary oversight through Standing Committees has become more prominent since the 1990s reforms. Tharoor’s chairmanship of the Committee on External Affairs illustrates how senior parliamentarians contribute to policymaking and accountability.
Growth of Soft Power as a Foreign Policy Tool
The concept of soft power, popularised in the early 2000s, has shaped India’s emphasis on culture, literature, and diplomacy. Tharoor’s advocacy and writings on cultural diplomacy align with this policy shift.
Key Takeaways from Shashi Tharoor Biography
| S.No | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Born 9 March 1956 in London; educationally from Delhi University to Fletcher School at Tufts University, PhD at 22 |
| 2 | Nearly 30‑year UN career; Under‑Secretary‑General from 2002–07; India’s nominee for UN Secretary‑General in 2006 |
| 3 | Entered politics in 2009; elected MP from Thiruvananthapuram; served as MoS in External Affairs and HRD ministries |
| 4 | Authored influential books like Inglorious Empire, Why I Am a Hindu, and Ambedkar: A Life, awarded Sahitya Akademi in 2019 |
| 5 | Current Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs (since Sept 2024); advocates India’s soft power and literary diplomacy |
FAQs (Exam‑Oriented)
Why is Shashi Tharoor relevant for competitive exams?
His profile covers international relations, parliamentary operations, diplomacy, constitutional positions, and literature, making him an ideal subject across UPSC GS‑II/III, State PSCs, Banking awareness, Railways, and Defence sections.
When and where was Shashi Tharoor born?
Born on 9 March 1956 in London, England to Indian parents
What is Tharoor’s educational background?
Graduated from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and earned a PhD in International Relations at Fletcher School, Tufts University in 1978—the youngest at that time
Which Lok Sabha constituency does he represent?
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, as a member of the Indian National Congress since 2009 (four terms)
What were his roles at the United Nations?
Served nearly three decades including as Under‑Secretary‑General for Communications and Public Information and headed UNHCR’s Singapore office during the Vietnamese boat refugee crisis
What ministerial positions did he hold in India?
Appointed Minister of State for External Affairs (2009–10) and later Human Resource Development (Education) (2012–14) under UPA governments
What important books has he authored?
Notable works: An Era of Darkness, The Paradoxical Prime Minister, Why I Am a Hindu, The Great Indian Novel, Ambedkar: A Life
Which major awards has he received?
Honors include Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, Sahitya Akademi Award, and France’s Légion d’Honneur in 2022
What parliamentary committee does he chair now?
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs (term Sept 2024–25)
Why is his Oxford Union speech important?
In May 2015, he argued that Britain owes reparations to its former colonies; the motion won and it influenced his book Inglorious Empire
Some Important Current Affairs Links
