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. The state’s residents elect each Chief Minister, who 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.
Chief Ministers (CMs) are the heads of state governments, elected by the people. 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.
The President of India appoints governors 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
The state’s Chief Minister 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 about 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 |
Three of the eight Union Territories in India are administered by Administrators, while Lieutenant Governors govern the remaining five. 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) |
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: an Indian citizen and at least 35. Two key conventions guide the nomination process: first, the appointed Governor should not be a resident of the state they are to govern, ensuring they are outsiders with no local ties. Second, 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 essential role within the state’s governance structure.
The Constitution of India does not specify a formal procedure for selecting and appointing 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 Legislative Assembly or Council member, they must secure an election within six months. Failure to do so will disqualify them from continuing in the role.
The Chief Minister has several powers, including allocating and reshuffling ministerial portfolios. If the Chief Minister resigns, the entire cabinet must resign alongside them. The Chief Minister is also responsible for guiding, controlling, and directing all ministers’ activities. 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.
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 | Deals with the Governor’s appointment of the Chief Minister and other ministers. |
| 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 governor’s powers, duties, and responsibilities within the Indian political system.
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 stipulates that a Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister shall aid and advise the Governor. |
| Article 163 | This article outlines the Chief Minister’s duties, which include communicating to the Governor all decisions made by the Council of Ministers regarding state administration and legislative proposals. |
| 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 chief minister’s powers, duties, and responsibilities within the Indian political framework.
Chief Ministers and Governors are vital 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.
Ans. Only 12 states and 1 union territory in India had female chief ministers; 28 states and 3 union territories have legislative systems. Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal and Rekha Gupta of the National Capital Territory of Delhi are India’s incumbent female chief ministers.
Ans. There has been a long tussle on this topic. According to the constitution, the governor is the executive head of the state. However, the chief minister acts as the de facto head in an elected state government. However, when there is some discrepancy, the governor enjoys certain situational and constitutional powers. For instance, the governor can recommend the President to impose the President’s rule. In some union territories with no chief minister, the real power lies with the lieutenant governor.
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. There is only one incumbent female chief minister, as mentioned in all the UTs and all state chief ministers and governors lists for 2024.
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 exercising 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.
Ans. Executive powers related to administration, appointments, and removals; Legislative powers related to lawmaking and the state legislature, that is, the State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) or the State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad); Judicial Powers related to the grant of pardons; reprieves, etc., and consultations.
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 any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said governments.
Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
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