Kapil Mishra is an Indian politician and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader who currently serves as a Cabinet Minister in the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. He represents the Karawal Nagar constituency in the Delhi Legislative Assembly and holds several important portfolios, including Law and Justice, Labour, Employment, Development, Art, Culture and Language, and Tourism. His political career has been marked by a dramatic transition from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), under which he served as a minister, to the BJP, where he eventually rose to become a Delhi Cabinet Minister.
Born on November 13, 1980, in Delhi, Kapil Mishra entered public life through social activism before becoming involved in electoral politics. He was elected from Karawal Nagar as an AAP candidate in the 2015 Delhi Assembly election and subsequently became a minister in the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government. His break with AAP in 2017 was followed by a period of outspoken criticism of the party and its leadership, eventually leading him to join the BJP in 2019.
Mishra’s political journey has made him one of Delhi’s more recognizable and polarising politicians. His career has included ministerial office, opposition politics, organisational responsibilities within the BJP and repeated involvement in political controversies. In the 2025 Delhi Assembly election, he returned to the Karawal Nagar seat as a BJP candidate, defeating AAP’s Manoj Kumar Tyagi with 107,367 votes. He subsequently became part of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s BJP government.
Profile Summary
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Kapil Mishra |
| Date of Birth | November 13, 1980 |
| Age | 45 years old |
| Birthplace | Delhi, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Politician, Social Worker, Businessman |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Previous Party | Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) |
| Current Position | Cabinet Minister, Government of Delhi |
| Constituency | Karawal Nagar |
| Current Portfolios | Law & Justice, Labour, Employment, Development, Art & Culture, Language, Tourism |
| Education | M.A. in Social Work |
| University | University of Delhi |
| Year of Master’s Degree | 2006 |
| Father | Rameshwar Prasad |
| Wife | Preeti Mishra |
| Children | Public sources report children, but detailed information is limited |
| Religion | Hinduism is reported by some biographical sources |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 10 inches |
| Net Worth | Exact personal net worth is not publicly verified |
| Declared Assets in 2025 | ₹1.07 crore |
| Declared Liabilities in 2025 | ₹48.58 lakh |
Kapil Mishra Early Life
Kapil Mishra was born on November 13, 1980, in Delhi, India. His father is identified in his election affidavit as Rameshwar Prasad. Unlike politicians who enter public life directly through established political families, Mishra’s early public profile developed largely through social work and activism. His early involvement in public causes eventually became the foundation for his transition into formal politics.
Before becoming an elected politician, Mishra was associated with social activism and grassroots campaigns. He established Youth For Justice and became involved in issues affecting ordinary residents and communities. His background in social work also shaped the way he presented himself politically, particularly during his early years with the Aam Aadmi Party, which was founded around an anti-corruption and citizen-oriented political movement.
Mishra’s early public activities gave him experience in campaigning, organising people and communicating political issues outside traditional party structures. This background became particularly important when he entered electoral politics in Delhi and began building a political identity that would later evolve considerably after his departure from AAP.
Kapil Mishra Education
Kapil Mishra pursued higher education in social work at the University of Delhi. His 2025 election affidavit records him as a postgraduate and identifies his qualification as an M.A. in Social Work from the University of Delhi, completed in 2006. Earlier election affidavits also record the same qualification.
His academic background in social work is notable because it corresponds with the activist and community-oriented phase of his career before he became a full-time politician. Social work provided him with an academic foundation for engaging with community issues, public welfare and grassroots mobilisation.
Mishra’s education has therefore been closely connected to his early public identity. Rather than having a background primarily in law, economics or conventional political science, he entered politics with postgraduate training in social work and experience in activism. His later political career, however, expanded well beyond social work into electoral politics, government administration and party organisation.
Kapil Mishra Career
Beginning in Social Activism
Kapil Mishra’s public career began before his first election victory. He was involved in social activism and founded Youth For Justice, an organisation associated with civic and public-interest activities. His early work helped him establish connections with activists and community groups in Delhi.
The activist environment surrounding the anti-corruption movement of the early 2010s also provided an important pathway into mainstream politics. Mishra became associated with the emerging Aam Aadmi Party, which was formed following the India Against Corruption movement and quickly developed into a major political force in Delhi.
Joining the Aam Aadmi Party
Mishra became one of the political figures associated with AAP’s early expansion in Delhi. He contested the Karawal Nagar constituency in the 2013 Delhi Assembly election as an AAP candidate. Although he did not win the seat in that election, the campaign established him as an electoral politician. His 2013 election affidavit listed social work as his profession and recorded no criminal cases at the time.
His political breakthrough came in the 2015 Delhi Assembly election. Running again from Karawal Nagar on an AAP ticket, Mishra defeated his opponent and entered the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The election marked the beginning of his first major period in government.
Water Resources Minister of Delhi
After AAP formed the Delhi government under Arvind Kejriwal, Mishra was appointed Water Resources Minister. His tenure placed him directly inside the Delhi government’s administration and made him a more prominent figure within AAP.
His ministerial career was relatively short-lived. In May 2017, Kejriwal removed Mishra from the Delhi cabinet. The decision came amid controversy surrounding the Delhi water tanker issue and allegations concerning irregularities in the water department. Reports at the time also cited political differences and Mishra’s growing proximity to another AAP leader, Kumar Vishwas, as factors surrounding his removal.
Break With AAP
Mishra’s removal from the cabinet marked a major turning point in his political career. He subsequently became one of the most vocal critics of Arvind Kejriwal and AAP.
He made allegations of corruption against Kejriwal and other AAP leaders, claims that became central to his public political identity after leaving the government. His accusations and increasingly confrontational political style made him a prominent figure in Delhi’s opposition politics.
The conflict eventually resulted in Mishra’s disqualification from the Delhi Assembly. His political relationship with AAP had effectively ended, and his public identity shifted from that of an AAP minister to one of its most persistent critics.
Joining the BJP
In August 2019, Kapil Mishra formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. His move represented a major ideological and political shift. He had entered politics through the anti-corruption movement and AAP, but by the time he joined the BJP, he had become increasingly identified with Hindu nationalist politics and criticism of AAP.
Mishra’s first BJP Assembly election campaign came in 2020, when he contested the Model Town constituency. He was unsuccessful, with the BJP unable to defeat the sitting political opposition in the seat.
Although the 2020 election did not return him to the Assembly, Mishra continued to play an active role in Delhi BJP politics. He remained a prominent speaker and campaigner and developed a reputation for his forceful political messaging.
Delhi BJP Vice President
In August 2023, the BJP formally appointed Mishra as one of the vice-presidents of its Delhi unit. The appointment came roughly four years after he joined the party. Indian Express reported that BJP leaders viewed his public connect, oratory and ability to organise successful rallies as factors behind his growing importance within the organisation.
The appointment represented an important stage in Mishra’s BJP career. Although he had been politically active within the party since joining, becoming a Delhi BJP vice president gave him a formal organisational position and demonstrated the party’s willingness to give him greater responsibility.
Return to the Delhi Assembly
Mishra’s political comeback came in the 2025 Delhi Assembly election. He contested Karawal Nagar, the constituency he had previously represented as an AAP legislator, this time as a BJP candidate.
He won the election decisively with 107,367 votes, receiving 53.58% of the vote. AAP candidate Manoj Kumar Tyagi finished second with 84,012 votes, while Congress candidate Dr. P.K. Mishra received 3,921 votes.
The victory was significant because Karawal Nagar had previously been represented by Mishra during his AAP years, making his return under the BJP particularly notable. His 2025 victory also marked his return to the Delhi Assembly after being out of the legislature since 2019.
Cabinet Minister in the Rekha Gupta Government
Following the BJP’s victory in the 2025 Delhi Assembly election, Mishra became part of the new BJP government headed by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. He was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister on February 20, 2025.
As of September 2026, the Delhi government’s official website lists Mishra as a Cabinet Minister representing Karawal Nagar. His portfolios include Law and Justice, Labour, Employment, Development, Art, Culture and Language, and Tourism.
His appointment to the Law and Justice portfolio is particularly notable given his background as a politician rather than a lawyer. His ministerial responsibilities now extend across several areas of Delhi’s administration, making him one of the more prominent members of the BJP-led Delhi government.
Political Controversies
Controversy has been a recurring feature of Mishra’s political career. His break with AAP, allegations against the former Delhi government, public statements on communal and political issues, and activities during the period surrounding the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots have all attracted significant media attention.
In March 2026, a Delhi court dismissed a petition seeking registration of an FIR against Mishra in connection with allegations concerning the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. The court held that registering an FIR against the proposed accused was legally impermissible at that stage. Separate legal proceedings and petitions concerning allegations against Mishra have nevertheless continued in various courts.
It is important to distinguish allegations from established findings. Mishra has rejected characterisations that portray him as responsible for the riots, and the March 2026 court decision did not amount to a finding that all allegations surrounding the broader controversy were true or false; it concerned the legal route for seeking an FIR.
Latest 2026 Controversy
Kapil Mishra is again in the news in September 2026 following claims made by influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj concerning an alleged assault during a protest at Jantar Mantar. Bhardwaj reportedly claimed that a phone call from Mishra helped him avoid jail after the incident.
The allegation has generated criticism from opposition politicians and renewed questions about Mishra’s political influence. However, the claim comes from Bhardwaj’s own account and should not be treated as an established fact. Delhi Police have disputed aspects of the account, including claims concerning the severity of the victim’s injuries.
The controversy has nevertheless become part of Mishra’s current public profile because it involves his name while he is serving as Delhi’s Law and Justice Minister. As of September 4, 2026, reporting on the matter concerns allegations and political accusations rather than a proven finding that Mishra intervened improperly in a criminal case.
Kapil Mishra Trending: Why Is Kapil Mishra Famous?
Kapil Mishra is currently attracting renewed attention because of the September 2026 controversy involving influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj and an alleged assault at a Jantar Mantar protest. Bhardwaj claimed that Mishra’s intervention helped him avoid jail, leading opposition leaders to demand answers. Delhi Police, however, rejected key aspects of the claims, making the matter an ongoing political controversy rather than an established finding against the minister.
His name is also frequently associated with the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. In March 2026, a Delhi court dismissed a petition seeking an FIR against him over allegations connected with the riots, while other petitions and legal proceedings have remained at different stages. Mishra has rejected allegations of responsibility for the violence.
Beyond controversies, Mishra’s current political position is itself a major reason for public interest. He is now a Cabinet Minister in the Delhi government, with responsibility for Law and Justice, Labour, Employment, Development, Art and Culture, Language and Tourism. His return to government after several years in opposition represents a major reversal in his political career.
His political journey is particularly notable because of how dramatically it has changed. He began as an activist associated with AAP, served as a minister under Arvind Kejriwal, broke with the party, joined the BJP, became a Delhi BJP vice president and eventually returned to the Assembly as a BJP legislator and Cabinet Minister.
Kapil Mishra Personal Life
Kapil Mishra is married to Preeti Mishra. His 2025 election affidavit identifies his spouse as self-employed and working from home. Earlier public election records identified social work as the profession of both Mishra and his spouse.
Public biographical sources report that Mishra and his wife have children, although detailed and consistently verified information about their children is not widely available. Mishra has generally kept much of his family life outside the centre of his political activities and public statements.
His personal identity has consequently been shaped more by his political career than by his family life. Most media attention surrounding Mishra concerns his political positions, party switches, government responsibilities, speeches and controversies rather than his private affairs.
Kapil Mishra Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Kapil Mishra was born on November 13, 1980, in Delhi, India. He is 45 years old as of September 2026 and is an Indian national. His political career has been based entirely in Delhi, where he has represented the Karawal Nagar constituency and served in both the AAP and BJP governments.
Some biographical sources identify Mishra as Hindu, although religion is not prominently documented in his official government profile or election affidavit. His public political identity has increasingly been associated with Hindu nationalist politics, particularly since his transition from AAP to the BJP.
Mishra is commonly reported to be approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall. He has a generally recognisable public appearance, often seen wearing traditional Indian clothing or formal political attire at government functions, rallies and public events. Exact physical measurements such as weight are not reliably established by official sources.
Social Media Presence
Kapil Mishra maintains a public presence on social media, where he frequently shares political statements, photographs from government and party events, campaign activities and commentary on current affairs. His online presence has become an important part of his political communication strategy.
Social media has also contributed to his reputation as a highly vocal political figure. Mishra frequently responds directly to political developments and opponents, allowing his statements to circulate rapidly among supporters, critics and news organisations.
Kapil Mishra Net Worth
Kapil Mishra’s exact personal net worth is not publicly verified because there is no authoritative source that establishes his complete wealth across all assets, investments and income streams. However, his election affidavit provides a reliable picture of the assets and liabilities he officially declared for the 2025 Delhi Assembly election.
According to the 2025 affidavit, Mishra declared total assets of approximately ₹1.07 crore and liabilities of approximately ₹48.58 lakh. His declared movable assets were around ₹26.55 lakh, while his declared immovable assets were valued at approximately ₹80 lakh. The affidavit also recorded his profession as businessman.
The same affidavit reported his income for the 2023–24 financial year at approximately ₹7.06 lakh. Because an election affidavit records declared assets rather than a complete independently audited wealth statement, it would be misleading to present ₹1.07 crore as Mishra’s net worth. The most accurate description is that he declared assets worth about ₹1.07 crore against liabilities of about ₹48.58 lakh in his 2025 election filing.
Legacy
Kapil Mishra’s political legacy is closely tied to his unusual journey between two major political movements in Delhi. He began his electoral career with AAP, served as a minister in the Kejriwal government and later became one of AAP’s most prominent critics after breaking away from the party.
His transition to the BJP eventually produced a second political rise. After joining the party in 2019, losing the 2020 Model Town election and later becoming Delhi BJP vice president, he successfully returned to the Assembly from Karawal Nagar in 2025. His subsequent appointment as a Cabinet Minister marked the most significant political comeback of his career.
At the same time, Mishra’s legacy remains contested. Supporters view him as a forceful Hindu nationalist politician and an outspoken critic of AAP, while opponents have criticised his rhetoric and linked him to several political controversies. His continuing involvement in legal and political disputes means that his long-term legacy will depend not only on his government work but also on how these controversies and his tenure in the Delhi government ultimately develop.
Conclusion
Kapil Mishra has built one of the more dramatic political careers in contemporary Delhi politics, moving from social activism and AAP to becoming a BJP leader and Cabinet Minister. His election victories, ministerial appointments and organisational positions have repeatedly placed him at the centre of Delhi politics, while his outspoken style and involvement in major controversies have kept him in the public eye. As of September 2026, his position as Delhi’s Law and Justice Minister represents the latest stage of a political journey that has moved from activism to government, rebellion, opposition, party realignment and ultimately a return to power.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kapil Mishra
Who is Kapil Mishra?
Kapil Mishra is an Indian politician and BJP leader who currently serves as a Cabinet Minister in the Government of Delhi and represents Karawal Nagar in the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
How old is Kapil Mishra?
Kapil Mishra is 45 years old as of September 2026. He was born on November 13, 1980.
When was Kapil Mishra born?
Kapil Mishra was born on November 13, 1980, in Delhi, India.
What is Kapil Mishra’s education?
Kapil Mishra holds an M.A. in Social Work from the University of Delhi, which he completed in 2006.
What is Kapil Mishra’s current position?
Kapil Mishra is a Cabinet Minister in the Delhi government. His portfolios include Law and Justice, Labour, Employment, Development, Art and Culture, Language and Tourism.
Which constituency does Kapil Mishra represent?
Kapil Mishra represents Karawal Nagar in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. He won the constituency in the 2025 Assembly election as a BJP candidate.
Which political party does Kapil Mishra belong to?
Kapil Mishra is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He joined the BJP in August 2019 after leaving the Aam Aadmi Party.
Was Kapil Mishra a member of AAP?
Yes. Kapil Mishra was an AAP politician and represented Karawal Nagar in the Delhi Assembly. He also served as Water Resources Minister in the AAP-led Delhi government.
Why did Kapil Mishra leave AAP?
Mishra broke with AAP after being removed from the Delhi cabinet in 2017. He subsequently made corruption allegations against senior AAP leaders and became a prominent critic of Arvind Kejriwal before eventually joining the BJP in 2019.
Was Kapil Mishra a minister under Arvind Kejriwal?
Yes. Mishra served as Delhi’s Water Resources Minister under Arvind Kejriwal before being removed from the cabinet in 2017.
Who is Kapil Mishra’s wife?
Kapil Mishra’s wife is Preeti Mishra. His 2025 election affidavit describes her profession as self-employed and working from home.
Does Kapil Mishra have children?
Public biographical sources report that Kapil Mishra has children, but detailed and consistently verified information about them is limited.
What is Kapil Mishra’s religion?
Some biographical sources identify Kapil Mishra as Hindu. His official Delhi government profile does not list a religion.
How tall is Kapil Mishra?
Kapil Mishra is commonly reported to be approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall.
What is Kapil Mishra’s net worth?
Kapil Mishra’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. His 2025 election affidavit declared assets of approximately ₹1.07 crore and liabilities of approximately ₹48.58 lakh.
How much did Kapil Mishra win by in the 2025 Delhi election?
Kapil Mishra won Karawal Nagar with 107,367 votes, defeating AAP’s Manoj Kumar Tyagi, who received 84,012 votes.
When did Kapil Mishra join BJP?
Kapil Mishra joined the BJP in August 2019.
Was Kapil Mishra a Delhi BJP vice president?
Yes. The BJP appointed Kapil Mishra as a vice president of its Delhi unit in August 2023.
What happened to Kapil Mishra during the 2020 Delhi riots controversy?
Mishra became the subject of allegations and legal petitions concerning his alleged role in events surrounding the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. In March 2026, a Delhi court dismissed one petition seeking an FIR against him, finding the requested registration legally impermissible at that stage. Other proceedings have existed separately. Mishra has denied responsibility for the violence.
Why is Kapil Mishra trending in September 2026?
Kapil Mishra is trending after influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj claimed that Mishra helped him avoid jail following an alleged assault during a Jantar Mantar protest. The allegation has triggered political criticism, while Delhi Police have disputed aspects of the claims. The matter remains a controversy involving allegations rather than an established finding against Mishra.
What portfolios does Kapil Mishra handle?
As of September 2026, Kapil Mishra handles Law and Justice, Labour, Employment, Development, Art and Culture, Language and Tourism in the Delhi government.