Droupadi Murmu’s journey from Uparbeda village in Odisha to Rashtrapati Bhavan marks a chapter in India’s history. Born into a Santali tribal family on June 20, 1958, she became the country’s 15th President after winning the presidential election on July 21, 2022. She was the first person from a designated tribal community to hold the office, the second woman President after Pratibha Patil, the youngest person to assume the position at 64, and the first President born in independent India.
Before her election, Murmu worked in Odisha’s Irrigation and Power Department, taught in Rairangpur, served as an MLA and state minister, and became Jharkhand’s first woman Governor. Her election brought attention to representation in public institutions.
From Uparbeda To Public Service
Murmu was born as Durgi Tudu in Uparbeda village, in the Baidaposi area of Rairangpur, Odisha. Her father, Biranchi Narayan Tudu, was a farmer. She studied at the local primary school before moving to Bhubaneswar at five, later attending Girls’ High School, Unit-2, and Rama Devi Women’s University. In 1979, she joined the Odisha Government’s Irrigation and Power Department as a junior assistant, a role she held until 1983. From 1994 to 1997, she taught Hindi, Odia, mathematics and geography in Rairangpur.
Her political career began in 1997, when she was elected as a councillor of the Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat from a seat reserved for Scheduled Tribe women. She became vice-chairperson and joined the BJP. In 2000, she won the Rairangpur Assembly seat and served two terms as an MLA until 2009.
During the BJP-BJD coalition government, she held independent-charge portfolios for Commerce and Transportation, and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development. In 2007, she received the Nilkanth Award for Best MLA of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
A Governor’s Tenure And The Presidential Election
Murmu was sworn in as Jharkhand’s Governor on May 18, 2015, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Her tenure lasted until July 2021. Her tenure included proposed amendments to two laws protecting tribal land rights: the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908, and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, 1949. The changes proposed commercial use and leasing of tribal land. Tribal communities opposed the amendments, fearing that existing safeguards could be weakened. Murmu received 192 memorandums against the proposals.
On May 24, 2017, she withheld assent and returned the bills to the state government with the memorandums. The bills were withdrawn in August 2017. Her response to the wider Pathalgadi movement also drew criticism from tribal rights activist Aloka Kujur, who argued that Murmu should have spoken more strongly against police action. Murmu had appealed to movement leaders to repose faith in the Constitution.
In June 2022, the BJP nominated her as the National Democratic Alliance’s presidential candidate. She defeated opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha on July 21, securing 676,803 electoral votes, or 64.03 per cent. She took oath as the 15th President on July 26, 2022, with the oath administered by then Chief Justice of India N. V. Ramana.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Murmu’s election is a milestone for tribal representation and women’s participation in India’s highest constitutional institution. Her journey through education, local government and state politics reflects a long career in public service. As President, she launched the Pradhanmantri TB Mukt Bharat initiative in September 2022, presented the Nari Shakti Puraskar in March 2024, addressed Parliament and spoke at forums on disaster-resilient infrastructure.
In March 2025, she inaugurated Vividhta Ka Amrit Mahotsav at Rashtrapati Bhavan, celebrating South Indian traditions, crafts and cuisine. Her story should encourage wider access to education and opportunities, particularly for people from marginalised communities.
At the same time, representation must be accompanied by attention to the concerns and rights of those communities, including their land, culture and access to public services. A more inclusive society depends not only on individual achievements but also on institutions that listen, protect rights and create fair opportunities.
How can India ensure that more people from historically underrepresented communities can participate in education, leadership and decision-making?
Also Read: From Losing Her Father At 11 To Making History At Siachen: Captain Shiva Chauhan’s Journey
