Chief Ministers and Governor: A Comprehensive Guide to Governance in 2025
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chief Ministers and Governors play pivotal roles in India’s governance, which is structured as a Union of States comprising 28 states and 8 union territories. Each Chief Minister is elected by the state’s residents and holds considerable authority and responsibility as the head of the state government. This leader is essential in crafting regional policies tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of the population. Chief Ministers oversee various government departments, manage public resources, and implement laws and regulations that ensure the effective functioning of the state.
In contrast, the Governor is appointed by the President of India to represent the central government in each state. This role is pivotal as the Governor acts as a bridge between the central authority and the state government, ensuring that federal laws are upheld and that the state administration operates within the framework of the Constitution. The Governor has the power to summon and dissolve the state legislature, and their consent is often required for legislative bills to become law.
Together, Chief Ministers and Governors play a vital role in maintaining the balance of power within India’s intricate federal structure. They collaborate on various matters, ensuring that state policies align with national interests while also addressing regional concerns. Understanding the dynamics between these leaders provides valuable insight into the governance of India, highlighting how local and national interests are navigated within a diverse and complex political landscape. This relationship not only influences policy-making but also shapes the overall development trajectory of the states and the country as a whole.
Understanding the Roles
Chief Ministers
Elected by the people, Chief Ministers (CMs) are the heads of state governments. They are responsible for executing policies, overseeing various departments, and ensuring that the needs of their constituents are met. Their leadership is critical in shaping regional development and addressing local issues.
Governors
Governors are appointed by the President of India to represent the central government in each state. They play a pivotal role in maintaining the balance of power between the state and central governments. Governors can summon or dissolve the state legislature and have the authority to grant assent to bills passed by the assembly.
Below is the list of all the UTs and all state chief ministers and governors list 2025: Click Here
Chief Ministers and Governor: Overview
- Article 164 states that the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor.
- As per Article 167, the Chief Minister acts as a link between the Governor and the state council of ministers.
- The Indian Constitution does not specify any educational qualifications for appointing a Chief Minister, but the Governor cannot appoint just anyone to the position.
- This article provides a complete list of Chief Ministers and Governors across all Indian states and Union Territories.
- In competitive exams like banking (PO, Clerk, Grade B, SO, Assistant), insurance, SSC (CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD Constable), railway (RRB NTPC, Group D), and state government exams, 2-3 questions are often asked about the Chief Ministers and Governors list.
- Let’s go through the latest list of Chief Ministers and Governors for 2025.
List of Chief Ministers and Governors: 2025
The Chief Minister of a state plays a crucial role in governance and leads the state’s Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Each state has a designated Chief Minister and Governor responsible for administrative and constitutional duties. Below is a comprehensive state-wise list of Chief Ministers and Governors in India as of 2025. Being familiar with this list can be highly beneficial for aspirants preparing for competitive exams, as questions related to state leadership are commonly asked.
Mohan Charan Majhi has recently been appointed as the 15th Chief Minister of Odisha, making history as the first BJP Chief Minister in the state. He was elected from the Keonjhar constituency in the Odisha Legislative Assembly election.
| State | Chief Minister | Governor |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | N. Chandrababu Naidu | S. Abdul Nazeer |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Pema Khandu | Lt. General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik |
| Assam | Himanta Biswa Sarma | Lakshman Prasad Acharya |
| Bihar | Nitish Kumar | Arif Mohammed Khan |
| Chhattisgarh | Vishnu Deo Sai | Ramen Deka |
| Goa | Pramod Sawant | PS Sreedharan Pillai |
| Gujarat | Bhupendra Patel | Acharaya Devvrat |
| Haryana | Nayab Singh Saini | Bandaru Dattatreya |
| Himachal Pradesh | Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu | Shiv Pratap Shukla |
| Jharkhand | Hemant Soren | Santosh Kumar Gangwar |
| Karnataka | Siddaramaiah | Thawar Chand Gehlot |
| Kerala | Pinarayi Vijayan | Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar |
| Madhya Pradesh | Mohan Yadav | Mangubhai Chaganbhai Patel |
| Maharashtra | Devendra Fadnavis | C.P. Radhakrishnan |
| Manipur | N. Biren Singh | Ajay Kumar Bhalla |
| Meghalaya | Conrad Kongkal Sangma | C H Vijayashankar |
| Mizoram | Lalduhoma | V.K. Singh |
| Nagaland | Neiphiu Rio | La Ganesan |
| Odisha | Mohan Charan Majhi | Hari Babu Kambhampati |
| Punjab | Bhagwant Mann | Gulab Chand Kataria |
| Rajasthan | Bhajan Lal Sharma | Haribhau Kisanrao Bagade |
| Sikkim | Prem Singh Tamang (PS Golay) | Om Prakash Mathur |
| Tamil Nadu | M.K. Stalin | R.N. Ravi |
| Telangana | Revanth Reddy | Jishnu Dev Varma |
| Tripura | Manik Saha | Indrasena Reddy Nallu |
| Uttar Pradesh | Yogi Adityanath | Anandiben Patel |
| Uttarakhand | Pushkar Singh Dhami | Gurmit Singh |
| West Bengal | Mamata Banerjee | C.V. Ananda Bose |
List of Chief Ministers and Governors (2025) – Union Territories
Out of the eight Union Territories in India, three are administered by Administrators, while the remaining five are governed by Lieutenant Governors. Below is an updated list of the current Chief Ministers and Governors of the Union Territories in 2025.
| Union Territory | Chief Minister | Governor/Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar | – | Shri Devendra Kumar Joshi (Lieutenant Governor) |
| Chandigarh | – | Gulab Chand Kataria (Administrator) |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | – | Praful Patel (Administrator) |
| Delhi | – | Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena (Lieutenant Governor) |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Omar Abdullah | Shri Manoj Sinha (Lieutenant Governor) |
| Lakshadweep | – | Shri Praful Patel (Administrator) |
| Puducherry | N. Rangaswamy | K. Kailashnathan (Lieutenant Governor) |
| Ladakh | – | Brig. (Dr.) B. D. Mishra (Retd.) (Lieutenant Governor) |
Governor of India Selection and Powers
In India, the Governor is appointed by the President and serves as the constitutional head of a state. Unlike the President, who is elected through a direct or indirect vote, the Governor’s appointment does not involve any electoral process. Instead, the central government is responsible for nominating Governors for each state.
To qualify for the position, a candidate must meet two criteria: they must be an Indian citizen and at least 35 years old. Two key conventions guide the nomination process: firstly, the appointed Governor should not be a resident of the state they are to govern, ensuring they are an outsider with no local ties. Secondly, the President consults the Chief Minister of the state before making the appointment.
While the Governor is the executive head of the state, all executive actions are carried out in the name of the Governor, reinforcing their important role within the state’s governance structure.
Chief Minister of India Selection and Powers
The Constitution of India does not specify a formal procedure for the selection and appointment of a Chief Minister in a state. According to Article 164, the state government is responsible for appointing the Chief Minister. To qualify for this role, an individual must be an Indian citizen, at least 25 years old, and a member of either the Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council.
If an individual appointed as Chief Minister is not already a member of the Legislative Assembly or Council, they must secure an election within six months of their appointment. Failure to do so will result in their disqualification from continuing in the role.
The Chief Minister is vested with several powers, including the authority to allocate and reshuffle ministerial portfolios. If the Chief Minister resigns, the entire cabinet is required to resign alongside them. The Chief Minister also has the responsibility to guide, control, and direct the activities of all ministers. In case of any differences in opinion, they can request a minister to resign. Additionally, the Chief Minister advises the government on the appointment of ministers.
Constitutional Articles Related to the Governor of India
The role and responsibilities of the Governor in India are detailed in several articles of the Indian Constitution, primarily within Part VI. Here are the key articles that outline these aspects:
| Article | Description |
|---|---|
| Article 153 | Establishes that there shall be a Governor for each state; one person can be appointed as Governor for two or more states. |
| Article 154 | Vests the executive power of the state in the Governor. |
| Article 155 | Specifies that the Governor of a state shall be appointed by the President via a warrant under his hand and seal. |
| Article 156 | Details the term of office for the Governor, which is typically five years, though the Governor serves at the President’s pleasure. |
| Article 157 | Lays down the qualifications required for appointment as Governor. |
| Article 158 | Specifies the conditions of the Governor’s office. |
| Article 159 | Contains the oath or affirmation the Governor must take before assuming office. |
| Article 160 | Provides for the discharge of the Governor’s functions in certain contingencies. |
| Article 161 | Grants the Governor the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment. |
| Article 163 | States that there shall be a Council of Ministers, with the Chief Minister at the head, to aid and advise the Governor. |
| Article 164 | Deals with the appointment of the Chief Minister and other ministers by the Governor. |
| Article 166 | Specifies the conduct of business for the government of a state. |
| Article 167 | Outlines the duties of the Chief Minister in providing information to the Governor. |
These articles collectively define the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Governor within the Indian political system.
Constitutional Articles Related to the Chief Minister of India
The role and responsibilities of the Chief Minister in India are defined in several articles of the Indian Constitution:
| Article | Description |
|---|---|
| Article 164 | This article addresses the appointment of the Chief Minister and other ministers by the Governor. It also establishes that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the state. |
| Article 163 | This article stipulates that there shall be a Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister to aid and advise the Governor. |
| Article 167 | This article outlines the duties of the Chief Minister, which include communicating to the Governor all decisions made by the Council of Ministers regarding state administration and legislative proposals. |
These articles collectively define the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Chief Minister within the Indian political framework.
Key Responsibilities of CMs and Governors
Chief Minister’s Duties
- Head of the State Government: The Chief Minister serves as the head of the state government and leads the executive branch.
- Council of Ministers: The CM leads the Council of Ministers, is responsible for forming the cabinet, and advises the Governor on ministerial appointments.
- Policy Making: The CM plays a vital role in formulating policies and ensuring their implementation across the state.
- Legislative Functions: The CM is instrumental in the legislative assembly, guiding the passage of bills and policies.
- Communication with the Governor: The CM is responsible for keeping the Governor informed about the Council of Ministers’ decisions and the overall administration of the state.
- Crisis Management: The CM oversees crisis management and emergency responses within the state.
- Public Welfare: The CM supervises various development programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing public welfare and promoting economic development.
Governor’s Duties
- Executive Powers: The Governor acts as the constitutional head of the state and exercises executive powers based on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
- Appointment Powers: The Governor appoints the Chief Minister, other ministers, the Advocate General, and members of the State Public Service Commission.
- Legislative Powers: The Governor has the authority to summon, prorogue, and dissolve the state legislature. They also address the legislative assembly at the beginning of the first session after each general election and the first session of each year.
- Assent to Bills: The Governor gives assent to bills passed by the state legislature, with the power to withhold assent or reserve a bill for the President’s consideration.
- Ordinance Making: The Governor can promulgate ordinances when the state legislature is not in session.
- Judicial Powers: The Governor has the authority to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment.
- Discretionary Powers: In certain circumstances, the Governor can act at their discretion, such as appointing the Chief Minister when no party holds a clear majority.
Conclusion
Chief Ministers and Governors are vital figures in shaping India’s governance and development. Their leadership significantly influences administrative efficiency, policy formulation, and regional advancement. Chief Ministers, elected by the public, are responsible for implementing state policies that address local issues, while Governors, appointed by the President, ensure alignment with national interests. Together, they navigate the complexities of governance, fostering collaboration between state and central authorities. Understanding their roles and contributions is essential for grasping the dynamics of India’s federal system, where power is shared between different levels of government. Their effectiveness directly impacts citizens’ lives, making their leadership crucial for sustainable growth and development in the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions: (FAQ’s)
Q1. Who is the female CM of India?
Ans. Only 12 states and 1 union territory in India had female chief ministers 28 states and 3 union territories that have legislature systems. Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal and Rekha Gupta of the National Capital Territory of Delhi are the incumbent female chief ministers in India.
Q2. Is the governor more powerful than the CM?
Ans. There has been a long tussle on this topic. According to the constitution, the governor is the executive head of the state. However, in an elected state government, the chief minister acts as the de facto head. However, when there is some discrepancy, the governor enjoys certain situational as well as constitutional powers. For instance, the governor can provide recommendations to the President to impose the President’s rule. In some union territories, where there is no chief minister, the real power lies with the lieutenant governor.
Q3. Who is the first woman Chief Minister of India?
Ans. Since India’s independence, there have been 16 female chief ministers. Among them, the first female chief minister was Sucheta Kripalani. She became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1963 while representing the Indian National Congress party. Currently, there is only one incumbent female chief minister, as mentioned in all the UTs and all state chief ministers and governors lists for 2024.
Q4. Who is the higher Governor or chief minister?
Ans. The executive power of the State is vested in the Governor. Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister as head aids and advises the Governor in the exercise of his functions except in so far as he is by or under the Constitution required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion.
Q5. What are the 7 roles of the governor?
Ans. Executive powers related to administration, appointments, and removals, Legislative powers related to lawmaking and the state legislature, that is State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) or State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad), Judicial Powers related to grant of pardons, reprieves, etc. and consultations.
Q6. What is the age limit for the prime minister of India?
Ans. Be above 25 years of age if he is a member of the Lok Sabha, or, above 30 years of age if he is a member of the Rajya Sabha. Not hold any office of profit under the government of India or the government of any state or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said governments.
Related Content
- India has eight Union Territories (UTs), out of which three are governed by Administrators, while the remaining five are led by Lieutenant Governors.
- Only two UTs, Delhi and Puducherry, have Chief Ministers, while others are directly governed by Administrators or Lieutenant Governors.
- Jammu & Kashmir has reinstated a Chief Minister after elections were held for the first time since its special status was revoked in 2019.
- Lieutenant Governors are appointed by the President of India and serve as the executive heads of their respective Union Territories.
- Leadership changes in various Union Territories reflect evolving political and administrative shifts.