Kiren Rijiju stays fit at 54 during irregular work hours by balancing physical and mental health: Here's how he does it

Despite a busy schedule, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju carves out time for physical activities like walking and swimming.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is one of the fittest Indian politicians, and he often shares videos of himself working out and taking up various fitness challenges on social media. In an April 2025 interview with ANI, the minister talked about how he stays fit and the secret to staying healthy with busy work schedules.

The secret to Kiren Rijiju's fitness

In the interview, the Union Minister was asked how he manages to stay physically active and fit despite his irregular schedule and busy hours. Sharing that it becomes difficult, he stated, “I am a very adventurous man. I always keep myself busy, either mentally or physically.”

“Mentally, of course, I am in a responsible position, so I have to keep myself engaged with my duties towards the people – responsibilities, meeting my people, doing work – this will keep happening,” he added.

How does he stay fit physically?

However, amid all the duties, physical fitness becomes a challenge for Rijiju. He stressed that without physical fitness, one cannot achieve mental fitness, and everything is based on one's physique. Therefore, he makes a point of staying physically active whenever he travels.

“In the process, I get to encounter different things which become a learning point for me, and then it helps in settling and balancing my mental fitness,” he added.

Moreover, when the minister travels, he requests his team to clear his schedule from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. During this time, he walks, swims, or even goes for a jog. “If there is no place, then I will do some stretching in my room. Whenever I get time, if I get a yoga instructor, I may also do yoga,” he added.

The union minister further explained, “This is a regulated thing – not regulated in the timely manner, but regulated in my approach. It can be morning, evening, or night, but I have to do it. This physical activity puts me in a much better mental position to carry out my job: to think, understand, and deliver.”

Does Kiren Rijiju wake up early to stay healthy?

When asked if he wakes up early in the morning to stay physically and mentally active, the minister replied, “Waking up early in the morning is totally dependent on my schedule. Because sometimes my flight is at 4:00, then I have to get up at 2:00. If my flight is at 6:00, I have to get up at 4:00. These are dependent on the schedule.”