Selja Kumari is an Indian politician representing the Indian political party Indian National Congress. She is the former Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led Government of India in 15th Lok Sabha. She was initially the Minister of State (Independent Charge). She was also in charge of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation in the UPA government.

Early Life of Selja Kumari
Selja Kumari was born on 24th September 1962 in Chandigarh. Her father was a Dalit leader, Chaudhary Dalbir Singh. After completing her studies from Convent of Jesus and Mary School in New Delhi, Selja Kumari pursued her M. Phil from Punjab University.

Political Career of Selja Kumari
Selja Kumari began her political career with the Mahila Congress and is one of the leading Dalit leaders in the Congress party. She was declared as the President of Mahila Congress in 1990. In 1991 she fought the general elections from the Sirsa constituency in Haryana and won a seat in the Parliament. She also served as the Union Minister of State for Education and Culture during the tenure of P.V. Narasimha Rao. Though in Haryana the Congress faced a massive misfortune, Selja in 1996, was elected again to the Lok Sabha. Selja Kumari was elected in 2004 to the Lok Sabha to represent the Ambala constituency of Haryana. During the tenure of Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister, she was chosen for the position of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. She was elected from the same constituency in 2009 as well.

During her political career Selja Kumari has served in various positions. In 1990 she became the Joint Secretary of All India Mahila Congress. In 1991 she was elected to 10th Lok Sabha as a Member of Executive Committee of the Congress Parliamentary Party. From July 1992 to September 1995 she was the Union Deputy Minister of the Department of Education and Culture, Ministry of Human Resource Development. She was the Union Minister of State, Department of Education and Culture Ministry of Human Resource Development from September 1995-May 1996. She was re-elected to 11th Lok Sabha (2nd term) Member, Executive Committee in Congress Parliamentary Party in 1996. From 1996 to 2004 she was the Secretary and Spokesperson of All India Congress Committee. Again in 2004 she was re-elected to 14th Lok Sabha (3rd term) and became the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. Selja Kumari was elected as the Member of the Governing Board of Commonwealth Local Government Forum in 2005. She was elected President of 21st Governing Council of UN Habitat for a two year term in 2007. In 2009 she was re-elected to 15th Lok Sabha (4th term). On 31st May 2009 she was appointed as the Union Cabinet Minister, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Tourism. Selja Kumari also served as the onwards Union Cabinet Minister, Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Union Cabinet Minister, Culture from 19 January 2011. In the year 2012 she served as the Union Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.

Other Ventures of Selja Kumari
Selja Kumari has also worked for empowerment of Women and for upliftment of marginal and disadvantaged groups. She has a keen interest towards sports and is a member of Army Golf Club, India Habitat Centre and India International Centre.


Positions Held by Selja Kumari