[2][3] Rahul Mamkootathil was born on 12 November 1989 in Adoor, Pathanamthitta, to S. Rajendra Kurup, a former Indian Army officer, and Beena.

He then graduated with a bachelor's degree in History from the Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, and postgraduate degrees in English from the Indira Gandhi National Open University and History from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.

[4] Rahul began his political career in 2006 as a member of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) while pursuing his undergraduate studies at Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta.

[4] In the November 2024 by-election to the Palakkad constituency, Rahul, representing the Indian National Congress (INC) was elected as the Member to the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

He owns a men's beauty parlour and holds partnerships in a medical shop and a children's clothing store.