Nongthombam Biren Singh (born 1 January 1961) is an Indian politician and former footballer and journalist. He is the current Chief Minister of Manipur.
Nongthombam Biren Singh
N. Biren Singh at BJP announcement.png
12th Chief Minister of Manipur
Incumbent
Assumed office
15 March 2017
Governor
Najma Heptullah
Preceded by
Okram Ibobi Singh
Personal details
Born
1 January 1961 (age 57)
Imphal East, Manipur, India
Political party
Bharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)
Hiyainu Devi
Children
3
Alma mater
Manipur University
Military service
Allegiance
India
Service/branch
Border Security Force
Years of service
1979–1993
He began his career as a footballer and got recruited in the Border Security Force (BSF) playing for its team in domestic competitions. He resigned from the BSF and turned to journalism. Despite having had no formal training and experience, he began the vernacular daily Naharolgi Thoudang in 1992 and worked as the editor till 2001.
Turning to politics in 2002, Singh joined the Democratic Revolutionary Peoples Party and won the assembly elections from Heingang. He retained the seat in 2007 contesting with an Indian National Congress ticket after joining the party in 2003. Serving as the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, he quit the party in 2016 before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2017, he retained his seat from Heingang again and was named the Chief Minister after his party gained Coalition and formed the government.