Yogi Adityanath Biography, Early Life, Net Worth, Age 2025, Career
Yogi Adityanath stands as one of India’s most known leaders. He serves as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the country’s largest state by population. Born Ajay Singh Bisht on June 5, 1972, he left home at a young age to follow a spiritual path. He became a Hindu monk and later entered politics. In 1998, he won a seat in the Lok Sabha at age 26, making him the youngest member of Parliament that year. He held the Gorakhpur seat for five terms. On March 19, 2017, he took oath as the 21st Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He won a second term in 2022. His life mixes faith, duty, and strong governance. This article covers his journey in simple steps.
Early Life
Ajay Singh Bisht came into the world in Panchur village, Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand. His father, Anand Singh Bisht, worked as a forest ranger. His mother, Savitri Devi, cared for the home. He grew up with six siblings in a middle-class Rajput family. The family lived close to nature in the Himalayan foothills. Young Ajay helped with chores and studied hard. He showed interest in social issues early. He shared meals with people from all castes, breaking old barriers. In 1992, Uttarakhand split from Uttar Pradesh, but his roots stayed in the hills. He moved to Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh as a young adult. This shift changed his life path.
Education
Ajay completed school in Pauri Garhwal. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University in 1992. He planned to study further but lost his certificates. This stopped his master’s degree. He focused on spiritual learning instead. He read texts on yoga and Hindu philosophy. His science background gave him a logical mind. He later applied this to politics and administration.
Personal Life
Yogi Adityanath follows a life of celibacy. He took a vow as a monk and never married. He visits his family rarely. In 2017, after becoming Chief Minister, he went to Panchur and touched his mother’s feet in respect. He keeps a simple routine. He wakes early, practices yoga, and eats basic food. He avoids luxury. His days fill with temple duties, meetings, and public work. He edits a magazine called Yogvani. It spreads messages on yoga and culture.
Net Worth
Yogi Adityanath declared assets worth about 95 lakh rupees in his 2022 election affidavit. This includes land, a revolver, and cash. He owns no car or house in his name. The Gorakhnath Math manages temple properties, but he claims no personal share. His income comes from MP and CM salaries. He lives modestly as a monk.
Spiritual Journey and Entry into Nath Sampradaya
In 1990, Ajay joined the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in Ayodhya. He met Mahant Avaidyanath, head of Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur. Avaidyanath became his guru. In 1994, Ajay took sanyas and received the name Yogi Adityanath. He joined the Nath Sampradaya, a Shaiva sect over 1,000 years old. The sect follows Guru Gorakhnath. Yogi learned yoga, meditation, and service. He managed temple schools, hospitals, and cow shelters. In 2014, after Avaidyanath passed away on September 12, Yogi became the Mahant. He wrote books on Hatha Yoga in 2007 and Raja Yoga in 2019. These explain yoga steps for body and mind health.
Political Career
Yogi entered politics under his guru’s guidance. Avaidyanath served as Gorakhpur MP for four terms. In 1998, Yogi won the seat for BJP. He gained 32 percent votes. He won again in 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014. His margins grew each time. In 2014, he won by over 300,000 votes. He asked 284 questions in Parliament. His attendance reached 77 percent. In 2002, he started Hindu Yuva Vahini. This youth group promoted Hindu culture in eastern Uttar Pradesh. It held camps and rallies. Yogi spoke on farmer issues, jobs, and safety. He criticized weak laws sometimes. BJP leaders like Narendra Modi supported him later.
Rise to Chief Ministership
In 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections, BJP won 312 seats out of 403. On March 18, 2017, party leaders chose Yogi as Chief Minister. He took oath on March 19, 2017, with two deputies. This surprised many because he lacked state government experience. In 2022 elections, BJP secured 255 seats. Yogi won his first assembly seat from Gorakhpur Urban by 103,000 votes. He took oath again on March 25, 2022. No Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister had won a second full term since 1985. Indian Express ranked him fifth most powerful Indian in 2023.
Governance and Policies in Uttar Pradesh
Yogi focused on law and order first. Police formed anti-Romeo squads in 2017 to stop street harassment. Over 180 criminals died in encounters from 2017 to 2022. Illegal slaughterhouses closed, affecting meat trade. Crime rates fell 30 percent by 2021 per government data. He started farmer aid. Uttar Pradesh joined PM Kisan scheme, giving 6,000 rupees yearly to farmers. Ethanol plants rose from 3 to over 50 by 2023. This boosted sugarcane payments. Women got safety measures. Helplines and pink patrols started. Fifteen new medical colleges opened from 2017 to 2022. Before 2017, only 12 existed since 1947. In COVID-19, Uttar Pradesh gave free rations to 15 crore people. It vaccinated over 10 crore in three months in 2021. Global Investors Summit in 2023 signed deals worth 10 lakh crore rupees. Sectors included tourism, IT, and manufacturing. He used bulldozers to demolish illegal buildings of accused criminals. People called him Bulldozer Baba.
Key achievements appear in this list:
- Closed over 100 illegal slaughterhouses in 2017.
- Built 15 medical colleges between 2017 and 2022.
- Reduced crime rate by 30 percent from 2017 to 2021.
- Signed investment deals of 10 lakh crore rupees in 2023.
- Vaccinated 10 crore people in three months during 2021.
- Increased ethanol plants to over 50 by 2023.
- Provided free rations to 15 crore during COVID-19.
Controversies and Criticisms
Critics point to communal issues. In 2007, riots happened in Gorakhpur after a Hindu died. Police charged Yogi, but courts cleared him in 2019. Anti-conversion laws passed in 2020. Opponents said they target Muslims. Encounter deaths raised human rights questions. Over 180 happened from 2017 to 2022. In 2018, teacher hiring for 69,000 posts faced scam claims. High Court ordered review. Allies complained about OBC quota cuts. In 2022, Yogi warned of anarchy if opposition won. He quoted Ramcharitmanas verses, sparking caste debates. In 2025, he spoke on BrahMos missiles amid India-Pakistan talks. He said ask Pakistan about power. Courts dropped old cases like a 2002 murder charge.
Conclusion
Yogi Adityanath’s path shows change. He moved from village boy to monk to leader. His rules brought order and growth to Uttar Pradesh. Challenges remain on unity and rights. As of November 2025, he leads a key state. His work shapes India’s future.
FAQs
What is Yogi Adityanath’s real name?
Ajay Singh Bisht.
When was Yogi Adityanath born?
June 5, 1972.
What is Yogi Adityanath’s education?
B.Sc. in Mathematics from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University in 1992.
Is Yogi Adityanath married?
No, he follows celibacy as a monk.
How did Yogi Adityanath become Chief Minister?
BJP chose him after 2017 assembly win. He took oath on March 19, 2017.
What is Hindu Yuva Vahini?
A youth group he started in 2002 for Hindu culture.
What is Yogi Adityanath’s net worth?
About 95 lakh rupees per 2022 affidavit.
When did Yogi Adityanath become Mahant?
September 2014 after his guru’s death.
How many terms did Yogi serve as MP?
Five terms from 1998 to 2017.
What major policy closed slaughterhouses?
Action in 2017 against illegal units.