Ketan Bhuptani becomes first Indian American Deputy Mayor of Livingston, New Jersey

Ketan Bhuptani being sworn in as Deputy Mayor of Livingston, NJ, Jan. 4, 2026. PHOTO: screenshot from video

Ketan Bhuptani made history when he was sworn in January 4, 2026, as the Deputy Mayor of Livingston Township, New Jersey. He is the first Indian American to hold that post. Bhuptani is also the first Asian American to hold this local office in the municipality of Livingston Township Council where 29% of the population is of Asian descent.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Livingston community, township employees, former mayors, school board members, representatives from various service organizations. Bhuptani’s appointment was supported by members of the administration including Essex County Commissioner Pat Sebold, Livingston Board of Education President Pamela Chirls, immediate past president of the Board of Education Vineeta Khanna and former member of the Board of Education George Shen and members of Sanskriti of New Jersey of which Bhuptani is the co-founder.

Ketan Bhuptani, 4th from left, with friends and family at his swearing in ceremony as the first Indian American Deputy Mayor of Livingston, NJ. PHOTO: Courtesy Bharat Rana

Speaking at the occasion, Bhuptani said that he is honored to be the first Indian American and Asian-American on the council, and working for the community at large. “It’s really an honor to be the first for that, but it also means that a lot of integration can happen as well,” he said. “I look forward to working on that,” he said.

“I am humbled by the trust placed in me and fully committed to working every day to move our community forward,” he was quoted saying in a press release.

Outlining his key priorities as a Deputy Mayor, Bhuptani said his focus would be to create a safe, vibrant and forward-looking Livingston. The Township Council congratulated Bhuptani and expressed confidence in his leadership, according to the press release.

Bhuptani has lived in Livinston for 23 years with his wife and two daughters having immigrated from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in India. He has been active in the public life of Livingston since then, having served on many township committees, and being part of many civic initiatives including the Zoning Board, the July 4^th Celebration Committee, Sanskriti of New Jersey, the Livingston Cricket Association and many cultural and social initiatives and community efforts.

Livingston Township is located in the 11^th Congressional District in the Essex County in the state of New Jersey. With a population of approximately 31,300 according to the 2020 census, Livingston’s Asian population has grown from 5,609 in 2010 census to 9,014 in 2020 census. It is known as an affluent, family oriented suburban town with high quality of life, excellent public schools and diverse population.