On January 6, 2024, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma of Rajasthan entrusted Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari with a substantial portfolio, assigning her responsibilities to six key departments, including finance, tourism, women & child welfare, and Public Works Department (PWD).
Currently serving as the 6th Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan alongside Prem Chand Bairwa in Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s ministry, she officially assumed office on December 15, 2023. In the 16th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Kumari secured victory from the Vidyadhar Nagar constituency in Jaipur, defeating Congress’ Sitaram Agarwal by a substantial margin of 71,368 votes. Hailing from the erstwhile Royal Family of Jaipur, she was also a Member of Parliament from the Rajsamand parliamentary seat between 2019 and 2023. Additionally, Kumari contested and won the 2013 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election from Sawai Madhopur, becoming a BJP MLA.
Born in Jaipur to Bhawani Singh, a distinguished Indian Army officer and hotelier, and Padmini Devi, Diya Kumari is the granddaughter of Man Singh II, the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jaipur during the British Raj in India.
Diya Kumari’s educational background includes attending Modern School (New Delhi), G.D. Somani Memorial School (Mumbai), and Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls’ Public School (Jaipur). She holds a Graduate Diploma in Fine Art (Decorative Painting) from Chelsea School of Arts, London, earned in 1989, and an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from Amity University, Jaipur.
Known for her multifaceted roles, Diya Kumari manages various properties, businesses, trusts, and schools. Her responsibilities include overseeing City Palace, Jaipur (also her residence), Jaigarh Fort, Amber, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum Trust, Jaipur, and Jaigarh Public Charitable Trust. Additionally, she manages two schools, The Palace School and Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh School, along with three premium heritage hotels: Rajmahal Palace in Jaipur, Hotel Jaipur House at Mount Abu, and Hotel Lal Mahal Palace, Jaipur.
Following her assignment to the prestigious tourism portfolio, Ms. Diya Kumari visited the Department of Tourism’s headquarters in Jaipur. During her visit, she chaired a comprehensive review meeting with officials from the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture, and the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC).
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