Sunetra Ajit Pawar was born on 18 October 1963 she is an Indian politician from Maharashtra. She currently serves as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra alongside Eknath Shinde, making history as the first woman to hold the position. She is also the President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a former Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. Before entering active politics, she was widely involved in social development and grassroots initiatives, especially in Baramati.
Sunetra Pawar Profile
| Name | Sunetra Pawar |
| Real Name | Sunetra Ajit Pawar |
| Date of Birth | 18 October 1963 |
| Age | 63 years |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
| Copied from | contents101.com |
Educational Background
Sunetra Pawar completed her higher education in Commerce. She graduated from a college in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Her academic background supported her later involvement in cooperative societies, rural development, and administrative roles.
Career
Sunetra Pawar became actively involved in politics during the 2024 Indian general election. She contested the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency as an NCP candidate against the sitting MP, Supriya Sule. Although she lost the election by a margin of about 1.58 lakh votes, her political journey continued.
In June 2024, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra. As a Member of Parliament, she raised issues related to anganwadi workers, rural development, river pollution, and urban planning for Pune. She also served on the Union government’s textile advisory committee, focusing on improving working conditions and exports in the textile sector.
On 31 January 2026, following the death of her husband and then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Sunetra was elected as the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party. She was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra the same day. Along with the role, she was assigned key portfolios including State Excise, Sports and Youth Welfare, Minorities Development, and Aukaf.
Controversies
Sunetra Pawar’s entry into electoral politics was surrounded by political controversy. Her candidature in Baramati in 2024 placed her against her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule, after Ajit Pawar split the NCP and aligned with the BJP-led NDA. This move caused deep divisions within the party and the larger Pawar family.
Her rapid elevation to Deputy Chief Minister shortly after Ajit Pawar’s death also sparked debate. Senior leaders from the Sharad Pawar faction criticised the decision, claiming it was made under pressure and without wider consultation. The absence of Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule at her swearing-in further highlighted the ongoing rift within the NCP.
Sunetra Pawar Social Media Handle
https://www.instagram.com/sunetra.pawar/?hl=en
Personal Life
Sunetra Pawar was born in Ter, Maharashtra, into an influential political family from Marathwada. Her father, Bajirao Patil, was a senior Congress leader in the Dharashiv district. She is the sister of Padamsinh Bajirao Patil, a former state minister and Lok Sabha MP.
She married Ajit Pawar in 1985, and the marriage lasted until his death in 2026. The couple has two sons, Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar. Over the years, Sunetra has been actively involved in social work, including sanitation drives, water conservation projects, environmental initiatives, and the establishment of a textile park in Baramati that employs thousands of women.
Sunetra Pawar Net Worth
Sunetra Pawar’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.