Father's Name : Shri M. Narasimha Jois
Mother's Name : Shrimati Laxmidevamma
Place of Birth : Araga, Distt. Shimoga (Karnataka)
Marital Status : Married on 20 May 1960
Spouse's Name : Shrimati Vimala
Children : One son and one daughter
Educational Qualifications : B.Sc., B.L. Educated at Central College and Government Law College, Bangalore, University of Mysore Conferred Honorary Doctor of Laws by Kuvempu University, Karnataka
Profession : Advocate.

Positions Held : Nov. 1977-April 1992 Judge, High Court of Karnataka May 1992-Sept. 1992 Chief Justice, High Court of Punjab and Haryana June 2002-Sept. 2004 Governor of Jharkhand and Bihar June 2008 Elected to Rajya Sabha Sept. 2008-May 2009 and Aug. 2009 onwards Member, Committee on Human Resource Development Sept. 2009 onwards Member, Committee on Rules Dec. 2009-July 2010 Member, Select Committee to examine the Commercial Division of High Courts Bill, 2009 Oct. 2011 onwards Member, Sub-Committee-I on the Implementation of the Right to Education Act of the Committee on Human Resource Development.

Freedom Fighter : No

Books Published :
(i) Services under the State, 1974, 1982 and 2008,
(ii) Legal and Constitutional History of India, 1982, (four editions),
(iii) Historic Legal Battle, 1977,
(iv) Dharma: The Global Ethic (in English, Kannada and Hindi) 1996, 1998 and 2003,
(v) Ancient Indian Law: Eternal Values in Manu Smriti (in English, Kannada and Hindi) 2003, 2005 and 2008,
(vi) Trivarga Sidhhanta (in English and Kannada), 2005 and 2008,
(vii) The Bharatiya Way to Lead a Purposeful Life (English and Kannada), 2007,
(viii) National Reconciliation for Harmonious Living, 2008 and
(ix) Code of Conduct for the Rulers (in English and Kannada), 2007
Social and Cultural Activities, Literary, Artistic and Scientific Accomplishments and other Special Interests : President, Bharat Vikas Parishad devoted ‘Seva' (Service) and Samskara (moulding character), 1996 - 2002; Honorary Professor of National Law School University, Bangalore for five years Sports, Clubs, Favourite Pastimes and Recreation : Writing articles on issues of topical interest; playing swadeshi games; yoga and pranayama
Countries Visited : U.K., Mauritius, South Africa and Taiwan
Other Information : Research and training in Polity; Convenor, Vignyaneshwara Rajadharma Research Centre at Martur in Gulburga; Guest Lecturer, Bharatiya Nyaya Darshan and Raj Dharma, Gulbarga University for LL.M. Degree