# Devan Nair

_Malaysian-Singaporean politician, 3rd President of Singapore (1923–2005)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/devan-nair
Last updated: 2026-11-06

> Chengara Veetil Devan Nair,, was a Singaporean union leader and politician who served as the third president of Singapore from 1981 until his resignation in 1985.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 5 August 1923 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457929#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Jasin ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457929#P19))
- **Died:** 6 December 2005 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457929#P570))
- **Place of death:** Hamilton ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457929#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Singapore; Malaysia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457929#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457929#P106))
- **Political party:** People's Action Party (1979–1981); Democratic Action Party (1965–1967); People's Action Party (1954–1965); Malayische Kommunistische Partei (until 1950) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457929#P102))
- **Education:** Victoria School ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457929#P69))
- **Positions held:** President of Singapore (23 October 1981 – 28 March 1985); Member of the Parliament of Singapore (10 February 1979 – 13 October 1981); Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 2nd Malaysian Parliament (18 May 1964 – 20 March 1969) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457929#P39))

## Questions

**When was Devan Nair born?**  
Devan Nair was born on 5 August 1923 in Jasin.

**What positions has Devan Nair held?**  
Positions held by Devan Nair include: President of Singapore (1981–1985); Member of the Parliament of Singapore (1979–1981); Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 2nd Malaysian Parliament (1964–1969).

**Where did Devan Nair study?**  
Devan Nair was educated at Victoria School.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Devan Nair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devan_Nair) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q457929](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q457929) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Devan Nair (3x4 crop).jpg by John Robert Cornell of Collaboration Journal of Integral Yoga (PDM-owner)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Devan_Nair_(3x4_crop).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Devan Nair, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Devan Nair (3x4 crop).jpg — John Robert Cornell of Collaboration Journal of Integral Yoga, PDM-owner.

## Cite this page

"Devan Nair". DigiNepal. Last updated 6 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/devan-nair. Retrieved 6 November 2026.