KCR age is one of the most searched topics on the internet for anyone curious about the political heavyweight of South India — Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao, popularly known as KCR. Born on February 17, 1954, KCR is 72 years old as of 2026. He is the founder of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), former Chief Minister of Telangana (2014–2023), and one of the most influential regional leaders in Indian politics. This article offers a 360° deep-dive into KCR’s age, biography, political milestones, family background, health updates, and legacy. For further reference, visit MyIndiaWire or the Wikipedia page on K. Chandrashekar Rao.
Before diving deep, here is a comprehensive quick-reference table covering KCR’s age, personal details, and key facts as updated for 2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao |
| Nickname / Popular Name | KCR |
| Date of Birth | February 17, 1954 |
| Age in 2026 | 72 Years |
| Place of Birth | Chintamadaka, Medak District, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Velama |
| Education | B.A. (Telugu Literature), Osmania University |
| Political Party | Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) — formerly Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) |
| Political Position (2026) | President, BRS; Leader of Opposition, Telangana |
| Chief Minister Tenure | June 2, 2014 – December 7, 2023 |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Shobha Rao |
| Children | K. T. Rama Rao (son), K. Kavitha (daughter) |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Net Worth (Estimated 2026) | ₹180 – ₹220 Crore (approximate, per declarations) |
| Wikipedia | K. Chandrashekar Rao |
| More Info | MyIndiaWire |
Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao was born on 17 February 1954 in Chintamadaka village, located in the Siddipet region of what was then Medak District, Andhra Pradesh — now part of Telangana state. He hails from the Velama community, a prominent social group in Telangana’s socio-political fabric.
KCR completed his schooling in the Siddipet area and later pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telugu Literature from Osmania University, Hyderabad — one of the premier universities of South India. His academic background in Telugu literature deeply influenced his oratory style, which later became one of his most defining characteristics as a politician.
As a student, KCR was drawn toward regional politics and the Telugu cultural identity. He observed the gradual neglect of Telangana’s economic development under the unified Andhra Pradesh government and decided to dedicate his life to the region’s political empowerment. His formative years planted the seed for the movement that would culminate in the creation of Telangana state decades later.
KCR’s political journey spans over four decades and is deeply intertwined with the Telangana statehood movement. His career can be broadly divided into three phases: early political apprenticeship, the Telangana agitation years, and the Chief Ministership era.
KCR began his political career as a member of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), founded by N. T. Rama Rao. He served as a municipal councilor and steadily rose within the party ranks. In 1985, he was elected to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly for the first time from the Siddipet constituency. He held the position of Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development in the TDP government during the late 1990s.
Disillusioned with TDP’s stance on Telangana, KCR broke away and founded the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on April 27, 2001 — a party with the singular goal of achieving a separate state of Telangana. He contested and won the Karimnagar parliamentary constituency in the 2004 general elections and served as Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment in the UPA government briefly before resigning to focus on the Telangana cause.
In 2009, KCR launched a historic fast-unto-death agitation demanding separate statehood for Telangana. His deteriorating health galvanized massive public protests across the region and forced the Central Government to announce the process of forming Telangana state — a watershed moment in Indian political history.
When Telangana officially became India’s 29th state on June 2, 2014, KCR was sworn in as its first Chief Minister. He led TRS to landslide victories in 2014 and 2018, serving two consecutive terms. Under his leadership, Telangana recorded among the highest GDP growth rates of any Indian state.
In 2022, KCR rebranded TRS to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) signaling national political ambitions. However, the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections saw BRS suffer a decisive defeat to the Indian National Congress. KCR lost the election from Gajwel constituency, marking a significant political reversal after nearly a decade in power.
KCR is married to Shobha Rao, and they have two children who are both prominent in politics. His family plays a central role in BRS’s organizational structure.
| Family Member | Relation | Role / Profession |
|---|---|---|
| Shobha Rao | Wife | Homemaker; socially active in Telangana |
| K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) | Son | Senior BRS leader; former Minister for IT, Industry in Telangana; key party strategist |
| K. Kavitha | Daughter | Former MLC; poet; accused in Delhi liquor scam; acquitted — continues political activism |
| T. Harish Rao | Nephew | Senior BRS leader; former Finance Minister of Telangana |
KCR is known to be a deeply spiritual individual with a strong interest in Hindu philosophy and astrology. He is also passionate about agriculture and owns a large farm. His Pragathi Bhavan residence in Hyderabad was the hub of governance and political activity during his tenure as CM. He is also known for his love of Telugu literature and poetry.
KCR’s political philosophy is rooted in regional pride, Telangana identity, and welfare-oriented governance. His ideological framework evolved from a Telangana-centric regionalism to a broader national political statement through BRS’s expansion attempt in 2022–23.
| Scheme / Initiative | Sector | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Rythu Bandhu | Agriculture | Direct investment support of ₹10,000/acre per year to farmers — one of India’s largest farmer welfare programs |
| Rythu Bima | Agriculture / Insurance | Life insurance for all farming households in Telangana |
| Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project | Irrigation | World’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project; aimed to irrigate 45 lakh acres |
| Mission Bhagiratha | Drinking Water | Tap water supply to every household in Telangana |
| T-Hub & IT Growth | Technology | Made Hyderabad a top-3 IT destination in India; attracted major global tech investments |
| 2BHK Housing Scheme | Housing | Free housing for economically weaker sections |
| Dalit Bandhu | Social Welfare | ₹10 lakh direct assistance per Dalit household for business setup |
| 24×7 Power Supply | Energy | Provided uninterrupted power to agriculture and households |
In October 2022, KCR renamed TRS to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) — a move that signaled his intent to expand beyond Telangana and build an anti-BJP, anti-Congress “third front” at the national level. He embarked on padyatras (foot marches) in Maharashtra and other states, attempting to rally regional forces. However, the decisive 2023 Telangana defeat and poor 2024 Lok Sabha results — where BRS failed to win even a single parliamentary seat from Telangana — dealt a severe blow to these ambitions.
As of 2026, KCR remains the President of BRS and Leader of Opposition in the Telangana Assembly. Political analysts note that at 72, KCR is in a phase of political recalibration — focusing on rebuilding BRS’s base in Telangana rather than national expansion.
KCR has faced several health challenges over the years. His most dramatic health episode was his fast-unto-death in 2009, during which his health deteriorated sharply before the Central Government’s intervention. He underwent a hip replacement surgery in 2023, which limited his mobility for several months and is believed to have affected his election campaign energy in late 2023.
In 2026, at age 72, KCR is reported to be maintaining his health with regular medical check-ups and a controlled diet. Sources close to the BRS party note that he remains mentally sharp and actively participates in party strategy meetings, though his public appearances are more selective compared to his CM years. His spiritual practices, including regular worship and farm visits, continue to be a part of his lifestyle.
No political biography would be complete without a look at the controversies. KCR has faced several notable ones over the years:
| Controversy | Year | Brief Details |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Tapping Scandal | 2023–2024 | After Congress came to power, allegations emerged that the BRS government had conducted unauthorized phone tapping of political opponents; investigations ongoing as of 2026 |
| Delhi Liquor Policy Case (K. Kavitha) | 2023–2024 | KCR’s daughter K. Kavitha was arrested in connection with the Delhi excise policy case; the case created significant political controversy for BRS |
| Kaleshwaram Project Irregularities | 2023–2026 | Post-election investigations raised questions about financial irregularities and technical failures in the Kaleshwaram project |
| Dynastic Politics Criticism | Ongoing | Critics frequently point to KCR’s reliance on family members (KTR, Harish Rao, Kavitha) in governance as nepotism |
| Formula E Race Cancellation | 2022 | The planned Formula E race in Hyderabad, which was widely publicized, was cancelled amidst controversy over costs and logistics |
| Leader | Party | State | Date of Birth | Age (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) | BRS | Telangana | 17 Feb 1954 | 72 |
| Mamata Banerjee | TMC | West Bengal | 5 Jan 1955 | 71 |
| Nitish Kumar | JD(U) | Bihar | 8 Mar 1951 | 74 |
| Uddhav Thackeray | Shiv Sena (UBT) | Maharashtra | 27 Jul 1960 | 65 |
| M. K. Stalin | DMK | Tamil Nadu | 1 Mar 1953 | 73 |
| Arvind Kejriwal | AAP | Delhi | 16 Aug 1968 | 57 |
| Chandrababu Naidu | TDP | Andhra Pradesh | 20 Apr 1950 | 75 |
Whatever one’s political affiliations, KCR’s role in the creation of Telangana remains an undeniable part of Indian political history. He sustained a decade-long democratic agitation, made personal sacrifices including a life-threatening fast, and ultimately achieved a constitutional goal that many had considered impossible.
His nine-year tenure as Chief Minister saw Telangana emerge as one of India’s fastest-growing states economically, with Hyderabad cementing its position as a global technology hub. Welfare schemes like Rythu Bandhu and Mission Bhagiratha received national and international recognition. At the same time, critics argue that governance was often centralized, transparency was lacking, and family members wielded disproportionate influence.
As KCR turns 72 in 2026, his legacy is complex — a man who achieved the impossible (creating a new state), governed ambitiously, overreached nationally, and is now engaged in the long game of political survival and reinvention. For detailed coverage of his ongoing political moves, readers can follow MyIndiaWire and the Wikipedia article on KCR.
KCR — Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao — was born on February 17, 1954, making him 72 years old in 2026 (after February 17, 2026).
KCR’s full name is Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao. He is widely known by his initials KCR across India.
KCR was born on February 17, 1954, in Chintamadaka village, Siddipet, Medak District, in what was then Andhra Pradesh and is now Telangana state, India.
KCR served as Chief Minister of Telangana for approximately 9 years and 6 months — from June 2, 2014 to December 7, 2023 — across two consecutive terms.
KCR leads the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), the party he renamed from Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in 2022. He remains its President. BRS is currently in the opposition in Telangana.
KCR has two children: his son K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), a senior BRS leader and former IT Minister of Telangana, and his daughter K. Kavitha, a former MLC and politician who has faced legal scrutiny related to the Delhi liquor case.
KCR holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Telugu Literature from Osmania University, Hyderabad. His literary background heavily influenced his political rhetoric and oratorical style.
At 72, KCR is reported to be in stable health. He underwent a hip replacement surgery in 2023 and has since been under regular medical supervision. He remains active in party affairs, though his public appearances have become more selective compared to his CM years.
Yes. KCR is the principal architect of Telangana state. Through the TRS movement and his 2009 fast-unto-death agitation, he compelled the Central Government to initiate the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Telangana was officially carved out as India’s 29th state on June 2, 2014.
As of 2026, KCR is the Leader of Opposition in the Telangana Legislative Assembly and President of BRS. He is focused on rebuilding the party’s grassroots base in Telangana after the electoral setbacks in 2023 and 2024. His national political ambitions via BRS appear to be on hold.
Understanding KCR’s age is not merely a numerical exercise — it is an entry point into one of the most consequential political stories of modern India. At 72 years in 2026, Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao has lived a life defined by conviction, controversy, achievement, and resilience. From a regional politician in Andhra Pradesh’s TDP to the founder of a new Indian state and a two-term Chief Minister, KCR’s journey is extraordinary by any measure.
While the 2023–24 electoral setbacks have undeniably reduced his political influence, seasoned political observers do not write off KCR. His deep organizational skills, loyal voter base among certain communities in Telangana, and the enduring symbolism of Telangana statehood continue to make him a relevant force. Whether BRS can stage a comeback under KCR’s leadership remains one of the most watched political questions in South India as 2026 unfolds.
For the latest news on KCR and BRS politics, visit MyIndiaWire.com and for comprehensive encyclopedic information, see the Wikipedia article on K. Chandrashekar Rao.
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