Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the bishop of Kohima, was born in Neezhoor, Kerala, on March 02, 1959. His father, Uthuppan Charalel, died 1962 in an accident. His mother, Anna, who is still alive and in good health, brought him up with other five of his siblings (one brother and four sisters). He completed his elementary education in his native place, completing his Matric in 1974.

The Bishop began his priestly formation in 1974 at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dibrugarh. He did his Philosophical Studies at Christ King College, Shillong while at the same time doing B.A at St. Antony’s College, Shillong. He did Regency at St. Joseph’s Church, Tseminyu from 1980 to 1982. He completed the Theological studies (B. Th) at Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong, under the Salesian Pontifical University, Rome, from 1982 to 1986. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Kohima on Jan. 12, 1986 at St. Joseph's Church, Arunoottimangalam, Kerala. He did his licentiate in the Field of Dogmatic Theology under Pontifical Urban University, Rome, from 1994 to 1996 and completed his Doctorate in the same field and under the same university from 1996 to 1998. His doctoral dissertation is entitled “Towards an Asian Ecclesiology”.