Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Politician, President of India
Politician, President of India

Pratibha Devisingh Patil

Born 19 December 1934 · Maharashtra

First woman to serve as President of India from 2007 to 2012.

Pratibha Devisingh Patil, also known as Pratibha Patil Shekhawat, is an Indian politician and lawyer who served as the president of India from 2007 to 2012. She was the first woman to become the president of India. A member of the Indian National Congress, she also served as the Governor of Rajasthan from 2004 to 2007, and was a member of the Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Despite practicing law in Jalgaon early on, Pratibha Patil never lost a single election she contested over her entire political career.

The Story

1
🌾 Born in 1934 in Nadgaon village, Jalgaon district, Maharashtra, Pratibha Patil hailed from a family whose ancestor received a jagir during the Maratha era, connecting rural Maharashtra to Rajasthan’s history.
2
⚖️ After earning a law degree from Government Law College, Bombay, she began practicing at Jalgaon District Court, simultaneously advocating for women’s rights and social upliftment.
3In 1962, at merely 27, Patil was elected as an MLA from Jalgaon, then secured four consecutive wins from Muktainagar between 1967 and 1985, marking her early political foothold in Maharashtra.
4🏛️ Transitioning to national politics, she served as Rajya Sabha member from 1985 to 1990 and won the Amravati Lok Sabha seat in 1991, never losing an election she contested.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2022
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 1965, Pratibha Patil married Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat, whose son Raosaheb Shekhawat later entered politics, continuing a family legacy of political involvement.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Pratibha Devisingh Patil in an official portrait photograph (2017)
Pratibha Devisingh Patil in an official portrait photograph (2017)
2017

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Nadgaon, Maharashtra
Pratibha Patil was born into a Marathi-speaking family with ancestral roots linked to Rajasthan's Maratha era jagirs.
1934
⚡
Career
Elected MLA from Jalgaon
At age 27, Patil began her political career winning the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly seat for Jalgaon.
1962
⚡
Career
Member of Rajya Sabha
She served in the upper house of Parliament representing Maharashtra from 1985 to 1990.
1985
⚡
Career
Elected Lok Sabha MP from Amravati
Won the 10th Lok Sabha election representing Amravati constituency, continuing her national political role.
1991
⚡
Career
Appointed Governor of Rajasthan
Became the 17th Governor and the first woman to hold the post in Rajasthan, serving until 2007.
2004
⚡
Career
Sworn in as President of India
Elected as the 12th President and the first woman to assume the office, serving until 2012.
2007
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 06
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Patil excelled in table tennis during her college years at Government Law College, Mumbai, winning multiple inter-collegiate shields, reflecting her early competitive spirit.

02 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

She co-founded the Muktabai Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana, a cooperative sugar factory, which became a significant institution for rural development in Maharashtra.

03 / 06
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

During her tenure as Governor of Rajasthan (2004–2007), she was the state’s first female governor, marking a new precedent for women in gubernatorial roles there.

“

The body has an innate ability to heal itself.

— Pratibha Devisingh Patil

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
PRATIBHA PATIL - Documentary
More from this archive
PRATIBHA PATIL - Documentary
01
PRATIBHA PATIL - Documentary
BIOGRAPHY OF PRATIBHA DEVI SINGH PATIL PRESIDENT OF INDIA PART 01
02
BIOGRAPHY OF PRATIBHA DEVI SINGH PATIL PRESIDENT OF INDIA PART 01
pratibha patil speaks out
03
pratibha patil speaks out
President of india Smt.Pratibha Devisingh Patil inaugurated "DEEPGANGA COMBINED THERAPY CENTER"
04
President of india Smt.Pratibha Devisingh Patil inaugurated "DEEPGANGA COMBINED THERAPY CENTER"
Pratibha Patil : राष्ट्रपति जिस पर प्रधानमंत्री के बर्तन धोने का लांछन लगाया गया | Episode 21
05
Pratibha Patil : राष्ट्रपति जिस पर प्रधानमंत्री के बर्तन धोने का लांछन लगाया गया | Episode 21
Beauty with Brain, भारत की पहली महिला राष्ट्रपति |Pratibha Patil| राष्ट्रपति महोदय!
06
Beauty with Brain, भारत की पहली महिला राष्ट्रपति |Pratibha Patil| राष्ट्रपति महोदय!
Prez Patil gave 'Tourism Award'
07
Prez Patil gave 'Tourism Award'
Happy Birthday to 12th President of India Pratibha Patil | Mijaaj News
08
Happy Birthday to 12th President of India Pratibha Patil | Mijaaj News
India & Mexico
09
India & Mexico

🌱 What changed because of them

Pratibha Patil's presidency broke gender barriers in Indian politics, inspiring more women to pursue leadership roles across the country. Her advocacy for rural cooperatives and women’s hostels fostered social welfare initiatives, while her emphasis on climate change helped bring environmental issues to the forefront of India's national policy dialogue.

💬 Social Buzz

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