[1][2] He matriculated from the Government High School in Manali in 1965, and did graduation from Punjab University at Chandigarh.

[1] The former IAS officer Deepak Sanan mentions Rai's father, Dorje Chhering, as an authority on the routes, water sources, and lifestyle of Spiti.

Rai was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1993, this time under the second tenure of Virbhadra Singh as Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh (1993-1998).

[4] As minister, Rai held two portfolios, those of Tribal Affairs and Health and Family Planning.

[5][6] In the 11th Legislative Assembly Elections of Himachal Pradesh held in 2007, Rai lost against Dr. Ram Lal Markanda for the Lahaul and Spiti seat.