UT Khader has been a prominent political figure in Karnataka, serving as the first Muslim Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly in 2023 and now as the Health Minister since mid-2026.
UT Khader is currently the Health Minister of Karnataka, having taken office again in June 2026 under the new DK Shivakumar government. He previously served in the same role from 2013 to 2016. His key achievements include establishing dialysis centers in taluk hospitals, launching Asia’s first bike ambulance service, and expanding cashless treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. His focus is on decentralizing care, speeding up emergency response, and ensuring universal financial access to healthcare.
UT Khader made history as the first Muslim Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly, elected in May 2023. During his tenure, he improved legislative productivity, with the assembly passing 49 bills in 2024—the highest in any Indian state that year. He also led reforms in coastal districts, cutting the royalty on laterite stone, and boosted parliamentary engagement by leading international delegations.