SBS Khumancha at 19:46, 6 January 2026

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{{short description|Indian politician (born 1964)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Govind Singh Dotasra
| image = Govind Singh Dotasra.png
| caption =
| imagesize = 250px
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|10|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Laxmangarh]], [[Rajasthan]], [[India]]
| residence = [[Sikar, Rajasthan]]
| office1 = [[Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee|President, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee]]
| term_start1 = 15 July 2020
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = [[Sachin Pilot]]
| office2 = [[Third Ashok Gehlot ministry|Minister of State for Primary & Secondary Education]]<br />[[Government of Rajasthan]]
| term_start2 = 28 December 2018
| term_end2 = 20 November 2021
| predecessor2 = [[Vasudev Devnani]]
| successor2 = [[Bulaki Das Kalla]]
| office3 = [[Rajasthan Legislative Assembly|Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency3 = [[Lachhmangarh Assembly constituency|Lachhmangarh]]
| term_start3 = 8 December 2008
| term_end3 =
| predecessor3 = [[Parasram Mordiya]]
| office4 = [[Laxmangarh|Pradhan<br />Laxmangarh]]
| term_start4 = 2005
| term_end4 = 2008
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]
| children = 2
| country = India
| profession = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]], [[Politician]], [[Lawyer]]
}}

'''Govind Singh Dotasra''' (born 1 October 1964) is an Indian politician. He is the president of [[Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ndtv.com/people/govind-singh-dotasara-appointed-as-rajasthan-congress-chief-2262770 | title=Govind Singh Dotasra Appointed as Rajasthan Congress Chief | publisher=ndtv.com}}</ref> He was appointed Minister of State for primary and secondary education (Independent Charge), Tourism and Devasthan in 2018 [[Government of Rajasthan]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajasthan-portfolios-allocated-cm-ashok-gehlot-gets-finance-home-sachin-pilot-pwd-rural-development-5512668/ | title=Govind Singh Dotasra Education Minister | publisher=indianexpress.com}}</ref> Later on 20 November 2021 he resigned from his ministry post respecting Party's one man one post policy.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rajasthan-congress-chief-govind-dotasra-resigns-as-minister-ahead-of-cabinet-expansion/videoshow/87816477.cms | title=Govind Singh Dotasra Resigns as Minister | publisher=economictimes.indiatimes.com}}</ref> He is a member of 15th [[Rajasthan Legislative Assembly]] and a former chief whip of the [[Indian National Congress]] party in that Assembly.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Govt-blacklists-pharma-company-over-wrongful-labeling/articleshow/38945033.cms | title=Govind Singh Dotasra Whip INC | publisher=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/rajasthan/oppn-cong-stages-walkout-over-minister-s-presence-in-rajasthan-assembly_947579.html | title=Opposition Walkout from assembly: Govind Singh Dotasra, Whip INC | publisher=zeenews.india.com}}</ref> He is representing the [[Lachhmangarh Assembly constituency|Lachhmangarh constituency]] of Sikar district of Rajasthan since 2008 and has been a member of the INC since 1981.

Dotasra was appointed chairman of the media and communication committee ahead of the 2018 Rajasthan polls on 5 October 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/rahul-forms-9-committees-to-manage-rajasthan-polls-118100500061_1.html | title=Lakshmangarh legislator Govind Singh Dotasra will helm the media and coordination committee | publisher=business-standard.com}}</ref> He served as vice president of [[Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee]] from 2014 to 2020 and president of District Congress Committee, Sikar, for 7 years (July 2011 to May 2018).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Cong-forms-131-memberPCC-tries-to-please-all/articleshow/45324415.cms | title=Govind Singh Dotasra appointed as VP of PCC | publisher=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Dotasra was born to Mohan Singh Dotasra and Rupi Devi on 1 October 1964 in the village of Kripa Ram Ji ki Dhani, Sutod, Laxmangarh in [[Sikar District]] of [[Rajasthan]]. His father was a government teacher. His schooling took place in the native village, and after that, he did [[B.Com.]], [[Bachelor of Education|B.Ed.]], and [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B.]] degrees at the [[University of Rajasthan]]. On 4 March 1984, he married Sunita Devi, a teacher. They have two sons.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://rajassembly.nic.in/MembersPage.asp?DivNo=51 | title=Member Bio-Data of 15th Legislative assembly: Govind Singh Dotasra | publisher=rajassembly.nic.in}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://myneta.info/rj2008/candidate.php?candidate_id=289|title=GOVIND SINGH DOTASRA(Indian National Congress(INC)):Constituency- Lachmangarh(Sikar) - Affidavit Information of Candidate|last=ADR|website=myneta.info|access-date=2017-11-10}}</ref> After graduation, he started practicing law in the Sikar Court.

== Political career ==
Dotasra was elected as Pradhan of the Laxmangarh Panchayat Samiti in 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rajsec.rajasthan.gov.in/PS_Publication_2005.pdf | title=PANCHAYAT SAMITI WISE DETAILS OF ELECTED PRADHANS (Page 89): Govind Singh Dotasra | publisher=www.rajsec.rajasthan.gov.in}}</ref>

In 2008, he contested the [[2008 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election|Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election]] for the first time and won the seat of Laxmangarh by a close margin of 34 votes against independent candidate Dinesh Joshi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rajasthan Assembly Election Results in 2008 |url=https://www.elections.in/rajasthan/assembly-constituencies/2008-election-results.html |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Elections in India |language=en}}</ref>

He defeated former union minister of state and 3-time MP [[Subhash Maharia]] by a margin of 10,723 votes in the [[2013 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election]]. In this election, his party Congress, had lost 160+ seats in the state.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/AE2013/RajAE_2013_stat_report.pdf | title=Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2013 data(page 56) | publisher=www.eci.nic.in}}</ref> He is also a member of the Public Accounts Committee of Rajasthan Assembly 2015–16.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://rajassembly.nic.in/CommtMembersList.asp?CommtCode=1 | title=Public accounts committee, Rajasthan (2015-16): Govind Singh Dotasra | publisher=rasjassembly.nic.in}}</ref>

In the Assembly, Dotasra has in particular raised issues related to farmers and weaker sections of society.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://rajasthanpatrika.patrika.com/story/rajasthan/shekhawati-in-vidhansabha-2225046.html | title=Govind Singh Dotasra in Vidhansabha | publisher= rajasthanpatrika.patrika.com }}</ref>

He won the [[2018 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election]] - his third win of the Laxmangarh seat - with a margin of 22052 votes, which was the highest in Sikar district.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.news18.com/assembly-elections-2018/rajasthan/lachmangarh-election-result-s20a033/ | title=Lachmangarh | publisher=News18 | access-date=19 January 2020}}</ref>

He won the [[2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election|2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Election]] - his fourth win from the Laxmangarh Seat - by a margin of 18,970 votes; he defeated BJP candidate Subhash Maharia.

==Controversies==

===Alleged Nepotism in RAS-2018 Recruitment===
In July 2021, Govind Singh Dotasra faced allegations of nepotism after several of his relatives reportedly scored among the highest marks in the interview stage of the [[Rajasthan Administrative Service|Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS)]] 2018 examination.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Devendra Pratap Singh Shekhawat |date=2021-10-08 |title=Rajasthan: Cheating, Paper Leaks in Govt Exams Put Aspirants' Lives at Stake |work=The Wire |url=https://livewire.thewire.in/livewire/rajasthan-cheating-paper-leaks-in-govt-exams-put-aspirants-lives-at-stake/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |language=en-US}}</ref> These included his daughter-in-law, Pratibha Poonia, and her siblings, Gaurav Poonia and Prabha Poonia, all of whom reportedly received 80 out of 100 marks in the interview round, despite scoring less than 50 in the written exam.<ref name="aajtak">{{cite news |title=Govind Singh Dotasra accused of favoritism in RAS selection |url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/rajasthan/story/rajasthan-education-minister-govind-singh-dotasara-relative-ras-selection-controversy-bjp-clash-ntc-1294864-2021-07-21 |publisher=Aaj Tak |date=21 July 2021 |access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref> Opposition leaders, including [[Gulab Chand Kataria]], demanded an investigation and accused Dotasra of using his political influence to manipulate results.<ref name="toi-ras">{{cite news |title=RAS marks for Dotasra's kin: Kataria seeks probe |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/ras-marks-for-dotasras-kin-kataria-seeks-probe/articleshow/84660818.cms |publisher=Times of India |date=23 July 2021 |access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref>

Dotasra denied the allegations, stating that the selection process was merit-based and transparent. He claimed that several other candidates also received similar interview scores and that none of his immediate family members were directly selected.<ref name="indianexpress-ras">{{cite news |title=Rajasthan Cong chief denies wrongdoing in RAS selection of relatives |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bjp-cries-foul-over-selection-of-rajasthan-cong-chiefs-relatives-in-ras-exams-7416232/ |publisher=Indian Express |date=23 July 2021 |access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref>

===REET 2021 Paper Leak Investigation===
In late 2021, a paper leak scandal surrounding the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET) 2021 led to political uproar. While Dotasra was no longer the Education Minister at the time of the investigation, the [[Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)]] demanded a probe into his possible involvement, citing administrative responsibility.<ref name="ht-reet">{{cite news |title=Will quit politics if found involved in REET exam leak: Govind Singh Dotasra |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/jaipur-news/will-quit-politics-if-found-involved-in-reet-exam-leak-cong-leader-dotasra-101644253018034.html |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=6 February 2022 |access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref>

In October 2023, the [[Enforcement Directorate|Enforcement Directorate (ED)]] conducted raids at properties linked to Dotasra and his relatives in connection with a broader money laundering investigation related to paper leaks. Dotasra called the raids politically motivated and reiterated that he had no role in the incident.<ref name="ndtv-ed">{{cite news |title=Will change my name if evidence found: Govind Singh Dotasra on ED raid |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/will-change-my-name-if-evidence-is-found-indicating-my-involvement-in-paper-leak-case-govind-singh-dotasara-4517546 |publisher=NDTV |date=26 October 2023 |access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref>

==Rajasthan Legislative Assembly results==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Govind Singh Dotasra – Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Election Results
|-
! SI No. !! Year !! Assembly !! Constituency !! Margin !! Party !! Post
|-
| 1 || 2008 || 13th || rowspan="4" | [[Lachhmangarh Assembly constituency|Lachhmangarh]] || 34 || rowspan="4" | {{flagicon image|Indian_National_Congress_Flag.svg}}[[Indian National Congress|INC]] ||
|-
| 2 || 2013 || 14th || 10,723 || '''[[Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee|Chief Whip, Congress Legislative Party (CLP)]]'''
|-
| 3 || 2018 || 15th || 22,052 || '''[[Third Ashok Gehlot ministry|Minister of State]]'''
|-
| 4 || 2023 || 16th || 18,970 ||
|}

==Other Activity==
Dotasra represented [[Rajasthan Legislative Assembly]] in 24th [[Commonwealth Parliamentary Association]] (CPA) Seminar from 27 May – 1 June 2013 in Singapore.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://localmla.com/rajasthan/gobind-singh-dotasra/| title=Govind Singh Dotasra Foreign Visit | publisher= localmla.com }}</ref> Dotasra participated in 16th and 17th All India Whips' Conference in Goa and Visakhapatnam.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dotasra, Govind Singh}}
[[Category:Rajasthan MLAs 2008–2013]]
[[Category:People from Sikar district]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Rajasthan MLAs 2013–2018]]
[[Category:Rajasthan MLAs 2018–2023]]
[[Category:Rajasthan MLAs 2023–2028]]
[[Category:Presidents of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee]]
[[Category:University of Rajasthan alumni]]
[[Category:Indian lawyers]]

Govind Singh Dotasra - Revision history

SBS Khumancha at 19:46, 6 January 2026