Kailash Nath Katju was born in the princely state of Jaora (in present-day Madhya Pradesh) on 17 June 1887.

He passed his matriculation examination from Panjab University the following year before completing his graduation from Forman Christian College, Lahore, in March 1905.

On 17 July 1937, he became the Minister of Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of the United Provinces in the Govind Ballabh Pant's cabinet.

In 1951 he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Mandsaur constituency, joining the cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru as Law Minister in 1951.

He also held the portfolios for general administration, home, publicity, planning and development, co-ordination and anti-corruption.

[3][1] The eldest son, Shiva Nath Katju, served as a judge at the Allahabad High Court, and after retirement, took up politics and was elected a member of the Uttar Pradesh legislature.

Another son, Brahma Nath Katju, rose to serve as chief justice of the same Allahabad High Court.

[7] Dr Kailash Nath Katju wrote many books, some of which are the following:[citation needed]: He also wrote many articles and delivered many memorable speeches, including the following: He was one of the founders of Associated Journals Ltd. and one of the seven original subscribers of the Memorandum of Association of the company which published National Herald and two other newspapers.