Born at  Bikaner in Rajasthan Mr Mohd. Usman Arif received higher education at Aligarh Muslim University.   Nominated Chairman of the House Committee of Rajya Sabha in 1976 and again in 1977.  Appointed officiating President of Rajasthan Congress in 1980.  Member of Rajasthan Muslim Waqf Board in 1961, Central Waqf  Board 1976, Bikaner City Improvement Trust in 1963, Rajasthan Sahitya Academy in 1966, Rajasthan Haj Committee in 1966,  Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee and Bikaner District Committee in 1967. He was elected member of the Rajya Sabha in 1970 and again in 1976 and 1982.  Appointed Deputy Minister in Union Ministry of Construction and Housing 1980-82 and again in 1983-84, Deputy Minister in the Union Minstry of Agriculture and Supplies during 1983-84.  Appointed Governor of Uttar Pradesh on 31 March, 1985 and continued to hold the office till 11 Feb., 1990.

Publication-‘ Aqeedat ke Phool’- A tribute to Mrs. Indira Gandhi, ‘Qalam ki Kaasht’, ‘Nazr-e-Watan’ (awarded by the Rajasthan Sahitya Academy) and others.