Kalyan Chaubey Biography
Kalyan Chaubey, born on December 16, 1976, in Kolkata, is a former Indian footballer and current sports administrator and politician.
He trained at the Tata Football Academy (1989–1995) and represented India at various levels, including the U-17 (1994) and U-20 (1996) teams, and the senior national team from 1999 to 2006, winning three SAFF Championships and a bronze medal at the 1999 South Asian Games.
Known for his performances with top Indian clubs like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, he was twice named Indian Goalkeeper of the Year (1997–98, 2001–02).
After retiring in 2010, he transitioned into administration, launching initiatives like GOALZ (2012) and Ekalavya Foundation (2015).
Politically aligned with the BJP, he contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Krishnanagar.
On September 2, 2022, he became the first ex-footballer elected President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
He also serves as the Joint Secretary and acting CEO of the Indian Olympic Association. He married Sohini Mitra in 2004 and has a daughter named Aishani.
Kalyan Chaubey Wikipedia
Full Name: Kalyan Chaubey
Date of Birth: December 16, 1976
Age: 48 years (as of May 2025)
Birthplace: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Profession: Former football goalkeeper, politician, and sports administrator
Political Affiliation: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Current Role: President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF)
Tenure as AIFF President: Since September 2, 2022
Historic Achievement: First former footballer to be elected AIFF President
AIFF Election Victory: Defeated Bhaichung Bhutia by a 33–1 vote margin
Playing Career: Represented India from 1994 to 2006 at U-17, U-20, U-23, and senior levels
Club Career: Played for Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Salgaocar SC, Mahindra United, JCT Phagwara, and Mumbai FC
International Honors: Three-time SAFF Championship winner (1999, 2005, 2006)
Education: Graduated from the Tata Football Academy
Family: Married to Sohini Chaubey, daughter of former Mohun Bagan general secretary Anjan Mitra; has a daughter named Aishani
Notable Sibling: Younger sister Bulbuli Panja, a Bengali television and film actress
Post-Retirement Roles: Founded Ekalavya Sports & Skill Development Foundation; served as Joint Secretary and acting CEO of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)
Political Career: Contested the 2019 and 2021 elections from Krishnanagar and Maniktala constituencies in West Bengal
Net Worth: Approximately ₹33.86 million (as of 2025)
Kalyan Chaubey Family
Chaubey hails from West Bengal’s Kolkata, where he was born. Bulbuli Panja, his younger sister, performs in a Bengali TV series. 2004 saw the wedding of Chaubey.
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Kalyan Chaubey Early Life
Kalyan Chaubey was born on December 16, 1976, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
From a young age, he showed a keen interest in football, which led him to join the prestigious Tata Football Academy (TFA) in 1989.
He spent six years at TFA (1989–1995), where he received professional training and developed his skills as a goalkeeper.
His talent and dedication during these formative years laid a strong foundation for his future career in Indian football.
Chaubey’s early life was marked by discipline, focus, and a deep passion for the sport, which helped him rise through the ranks to eventually represent India at various youth and senior levels.
Kalyan Chaubey Career
Kalyan Chaubey began his professional football career after graduating from the Tata Football Academy in 1995, quickly establishing himself as one of India’s top goalkeepers.
He played for several major clubs, including Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Salgaocar, Mahindra United, JCT Phagwara, and Mumbai FC.
Internationally, he represented India U-17 at the 1994 Asian Youth Championship in Iran and India U-20 at the 1996 edition in South Korea.
From 1999 to 2006, he was part of the Indian senior national team, winning three SAFF Championships and securing a bronze medal at the 1999 South Asian Games in Kathmandu.
He was honored twice as Indian Goalkeeper of the Year in 1997–98 and 2001–02.
After retiring from active play in 2010, Chaubey transitioned into football administration and social development.
He led the GOALZ initiative in 2012, a collaboration with the Kolkata Police and British Council aimed at youth development through football.
In 2015, he founded the Ekalavya Sports & Skill Development Foundation to support sports and vocational training.
In 2019, he entered politics as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate in the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency, though he was not elected.
On September 2, 2022, he achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first former footballer elected as President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), winning the election with a 33–1 margin over Bhaichung Bhutia.
He currently also serves as the Joint Secretary and acting CEO of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), making him a key figure in Indian sports governance.
Kalyan Chaubey Post-Retirement and Political Career
After retiring from professional football in 2010, Kalyan Chaubey dedicated himself to sports development and public service.
In 2012, he spearheaded the GOALZ project in collaboration with the Kolkata Police and the British Council, aimed at empowering underprivileged youth through football.
He further extended his commitment to youth and sports by founding the Ekalavya Sports & Skill Development Foundation in 2015, which focuses on grassroots sports promotion and vocational training.
Chaubey made his formal entry into politics with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he contested from the Krishnanagar constituency in West Bengal, although he did not win the seat.
Despite the electoral loss, his political career gained momentum through his involvement in sports administration.
On September 2, 2022, Kalyan Chaubey made history by becoming the first former footballer elected as President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), defeating Bhaichung Bhutia with a 33–1 vote margin.
He later took on a larger role in Indian sports governance as the Joint Secretary and acting CEO of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), positioning himself as a key influencer in shaping the future of sports in India.
Kalyan Chaubey Leadership in Football Administration
Kalyan Chaubey has emerged as a transformative figure in Indian football administration.
His landmark achievement came on September 2, 2022, when he was elected as the President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), becoming the first former footballer to hold the position.
He won by a landslide, defeating football icon Bhaichung Bhutia with a 33–1 vote margin, signaling strong support from state associations.
Under his leadership, the AIFF has focused on structural reforms, youth development, women’s football, and enhancing the grassroots ecosystem.
Chaubey’s experience as a former national player and club-level professional gives him a unique, player-centric perspective in administrative decision-making.
Additionally, he serves as the Joint Secretary and Acting CEO of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), allowing him to influence sports policy and coordination at a national level.
His dual role in both the AIFF and IOA positions him as a central figure in shaping the future of Indian sports, especially football.
Kalyan Chaubey Personal Life
Kalyan Chaubey in 2004, he married Sohini Chaubey, daughter of the late Anjan Mitra, the former general secretary of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club. Sohini is also a director at Mohun Bagan.
The couple has a daughter named Aishani Chaubey.
Kalyan’s younger sister, Bulbuli Panja, is a well-known Bengali television and film actress, recognized for her roles in serials like Ke Apon Ke Por and films such as Bapi Bari Jaa and Cockpit.
The family resides in Kolkata, and Kalyan follows Hinduism.
Kalyan Chaubey Honours and Achievements
Individual:
Indian Goalkeeper of the Year – 1997–98
Indian Goalkeeper of the Year – 2001–02
With the India National Team:
SAFF Championship Winner – 1999, 2005, 2006
Bronze Medal – 1999 South Asian Games (Kathmandu, Nepal)
Leadership Roles:
First Former Footballer Elected as President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) – September 2, 2022
Joint Secretary and Acting CEO of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)
Kalyan Chaubey Awards & Medals
1. Kalyan Chaubey received the All India Football Federation’s Best Goalkeeper of the Year award in 1998.
2. Kalyan Chaubey won the gold medal at the South Asian Games in 1999.
3. Kalyan Chaubey won the gold medal at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in the same year.
4. Kalyan Chaubey won a bronze medal at the South Asian Games later, in 1999.
5. Kalyan Chaubey received the All India Football Federation’s Best Goalkeeper of the Year title in 2001 once more.
Kalyan Chaubey Age
As of 2025, Kalyan Chaubey is 48 years old, having been born on December 16, 1976, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Kalyan Chaubey Net Worth
As of 2025, estimates of Kalyan Chaubey’s net worth are ₹33.86 million (approximately ₹3.39 crore).
Kalyan Chaubey Trivia
Kalyan Chaubey is the first former professional footballer to become the President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) (2022).
He trained at the Tata Football Academy, one of India’s premier football training centers, from 1989 to 1995.
Chaubey has a sister, Bulbuli Panja, who is a well-known Bengali TV and film actress.
He played as a goalkeeper for both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, two of India’s biggest football clubs.
After retirement, he became a youth mentor through initiatives like GOALZ and the Ekalavya Foundation.
In 2019, he contested the Lok Sabha elections from Krishnanagar, West Bengal, representing the BJP.
Kalyan is also involved in administrative roles beyond football, serving as the Joint Secretary and acting CEO of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
He is married to Sohini Chaubey, daughter of a former Mohun Bagan general secretary, linking him closely to Kolkata’s football legacy.
Despite his administrative responsibilities, Kalyan remains actively involved in promoting grassroots football and sports development in India.
FAQs
1. Who Is Kalyan Chaubey?
Kalyan Chaubey is an Indian politician, former professional football goalkeeper, and the current president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Born on December 16, 1976, in Kolkata, West Bengal, he is the first former footballer to hold the top position in the AIFF’s 85-year history.
2. When and where was Kalyan Chaubey born?
He was born on December 16, 1976, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
3. What position did Kalyan Chaubey play in football?
He was a goalkeeper.
4. Which major Indian football clubs did he play for?
He played for Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Salgaocar SC, Mahindra United, JCT Phagwara, and Mumbai FC.
5. What are some of his major achievements as a player?
He won the SAFF Championship three times (1999, 2005, 2006) and was named Indian Goalkeeper of the Year twice (1997–98, 2001–02).
6. What is Kalyan Chaubey’s significance in football administration?
He became the first former footballer to be elected as President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in September 2022.
7. How did Kalyan Chaubey perform in the AIFF presidential election?
He won by a 33–1 vote margin, defeating former football star Bhaichung Bhutia.
8. Has Kalyan Chaubey been involved in politics?
Yes, he contested Lok Sabha elections from Krishnanagar and legislative assembly elections from Maniktala as a BJP candidate.
9. What are his contributions post-retirement from playing?
He founded the Ekalavya Sports & Skill Development Foundation, worked as a youth mentor, and serves as the Joint Secretary and Acting CEO of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
10. Who is Kalyan Chaubey’s wife?
He is married to Sohini Chaubey, daughter of former Mohun Bagan general secretary Anjan Mitra.
11. Does Kalyan Chaubey have any siblings in the entertainment industry?
Yes, his younger sister, Bulbuli Panja, is a famous Bengali TV and film actress.
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In conclusion
Kalyan Chaubey is a prominent figure in Indian football, known for his successful career as a goalkeeper and his historic election as the first former player to become President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in 2022.
Beyond his playing days, he has contributed significantly to sports administration and grassroots development through initiatives like the Ekalavya Foundation and the GOALZ project.
Caubey is also active in politics as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and continues to influence Indian sports both on and off the field.
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