Who Is Tushar Kumar, The 23-Year-Old Who Became UK’s Youngest Indian-Origin Mayor?

Last Updated:May 19, 2026, 12:57 IST

Tushar Kumar made history alongside his mother, Parveen Rani, when they were both elected as Labour councillors in 2023

Tushar Kumar has made political history by becoming the youngest-ever Indian-origin Mayor in the United Kingdom at just 23 years old.

A representative of the Labour Party, he took charge as the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council in Hertfordshire, England, during its annual Mayor Making Ceremony at Fairway Hall.

Background and Education

Born in Haryana, India, he moved to the United Kingdom in 2013 at the age of 10.

He graduated with a degree in Political Science from King’s College London. He holds an impressive academic record with 5 A-levels and 21 GCSEs.

He is set to begin a master’s degree in political economy at University College London (UCL) in September 2026, balancing his academic pursuits with mayoral duties.

Political Rise

He entered grassroots politics early and was first elected as a town councillor at the age of 20 while still a university student.

He made history alongside his mother, Parveen Rani, when they were both elected as Labour councillors in 2023, forming a unique mother-son duo in local governance. He frequently credits her as his primary political inspiration.

Before his historic elevation to Mayor, he served as the Deputy Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood.

Professional Experience & Community Work

Outside of local council work, he has worked as a Policy Advisor for the UK government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and as a research analyst for a national LGBTQ+ charity.

Strongly connected to his roots, he organised the council’s first-ever Diwali celebration. He also volunteers by running free Hindi language classes for British-Indian children through the Hindi Shiksha Parishad UK.

For his tenure, he has prioritised youth empowerment, community engagement, and supporting local charities, selecting the WD6 Food Support network as his focal mayoral charity. He has publicly shared long-term aspirations of eventually running for Prime Minister of the UK

News explainers Who Is Tushar Kumar, The 23-Year-Old Who Became UK’s Youngest Indian-Origin Mayor?

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