Sushant Singh Rajput's cousin sister, a UGC NET-qualified PhD candidate, enters Bihar's election. Check Divya Gautam's qualifications and career of INDIA bloc candidate

The upcoming Bihar assembly elections have gained fresh momentum with the announcement that Divya Gautam, cousin of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput and former Patna University Students’ Union presidential candidate, will represent the INDIA bloc from Patna’s influential Digha constituency. A well-known stage performer and academic, Divya will take on Sanjeev Chaurasia, the incumbent BJP MLA from the same seat. The Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist), a key component of the INDIA alliance in Bihar, has officially chosen her as their candidate. According to the CPI(ML) spokesperson, Divya will formally file her nomination on October 15.

Academic and Professional Journey

Divya Gautam has had a distinguished academic background. According to The Times of India, she completed her education at Patna University, where she specialized in mass communication and emerged as the college topper. After completing her studies, she began her professional journey as an assistant professor at Patna Women’s College, where she taught for over three years. Her commitment to education and activism was evident during her university days, where she became a well-recognized member of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), the student organization affiliated with CPI(ML).

Educational Achievements and Political Involvement

Her educational accomplishments extend beyond Patna. As reflected on her LinkedIn profile, Divya earned a PhD in Humanities from BITS Pilani and completed her master’s degree in Women’s Studies from the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Her political career began in earnest in 2012 when she contested the Patna University Students’ Union elections as AISA’s presidential candidate, where she finished as the runner-up.

A Career Rooted in Social Change

After clearing the 64th Bihar Public Service Commission examination, Divya was appointed as a supply inspector under the Bihar government. However, she declined to take up the post, choosing instead to devote her time to research and grassroots social initiatives. Currently, she continues her academic journey as a Junior Research Fellow (JRF)-qualified PhD scholar, merging her passion for education, activism, and public service in her new political role.