Kailashpati Mishra was born in Dudharchak, Buxar, Bihar, into a Bhumihar family on 5 October 1923.

He was a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh from 1943, and was even jailed after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

While studying in class X, Mr. Mishra was arrested for picketing at the main gate of his school at Buxar in support of 1942 Quit India Movement.

[3] Kailash Pati Mishra contested 1971 Lok Sabha election on Jana Sangh's ticket from Patna but lost.

He won the Bihar Vidhan Sabha election for Bikram seat in 1977, and was appointed finance minister in the Janata Party government of Karpoori Thakur.