Chief Ministers and Governor List 2024: 20 Powerful Influencers
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 2024: Click Here
List of CM and Governors List 2024
| State | Governor | Chief Minister |
| Andhra Pradesh | S. Abdul Nazeer | Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik | Pema Khandu |
| Assam | Gulab Chand Kataria | Himanta Biswa Sarma |
| Bihar | Rajendra Arlekar | Nitish Kumar |
| Chhattisgarh | Biswabhusan Harichandan | Vishnu Deo Sai |
| Goa | PS. Sridharan Pillai | Pramod Sawant |
| Gujarat | Acharya Devvrat | Bhupendrabhai Patel |
| Haryana | Bandaru Dattatreya | Nayab Singh Saini |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shiv Pratap Shukla | Sukhvinder Singh Sukh |
| Jharkhand | C. P. Radhakrishnan | Hemant Soren |
| Karnataka | Thawar Chand Gehlot | Siddaramaiah |
| Kerala | Arif Mohammad Khan | Pinarayi Vijayan |
| Madhya Pradesh | Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel | Mohan Yadav |
| Maharashtra | Ramesh Bais | Eknath Shinde |
| Manipur | Anusuiya Uikey | Nongthombam Biren Singh |
| Meghalaya | Satya Pal Malik | Conrad Kongkal Sangma |
| Mizoram | Kambhampati Hari Babu | Lalduhoma |
| Nagaland | Jagdish Mukhi | Neiphiu Rio |
| Odisha | Raghubar Das | Mohan Charan Majhi |
| Punjab | Shri Banwarilal Purohit | Bhagwant Mann |
| Rajasthan | Kalraj Mishra | Bhajan Lal Sharma |
| Sikkim | Ganga Prasad | PS Golay |
| Tamil Nadu | Ravindra Narayana Ravi | Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin |
| Telangana | Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan | Revanth Reddy |
| Tripura | Satyadev Narayan Arya | Manik Saha |
| Uttar Pradesh | Anandiben Patel | Yogi Adityanath |
| Uttarakhand | Gurmit Singh | Pushkar Singh Dhami |
| West Bengal | Jagdeep Dhankar | Mamata Banerjee |
All the Union Territory Chief Ministers and Governors List 2024
| Union Territory | Governor | Chief Minister |
| Andaman & Nicobar | Devendra Kumar Joshi (Lieutenant Governor) | _ |
| Chandigarh | Banwarilal Purohit (Administrator) | _ |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Praful Khoda Patel (Administrator) | _ |
| Delhi | Vinai Kumar Saxena (Lieutenant Governor) | Arvind Kejriwal |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Manoj Sinha (Lieutenant Governor) | _ |
| Lakshadweep | Praful Khoda Patel (Administrator) | _ |
| Puducherry | Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan (Addl. Charge) (Lieutenant Governor) | Natesan Krishnasamy Rangaswamy |
| Ladakh | Brig. (Dr.) Shri 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.
Recent Changes in Leadership
Recent Changes in Leadership
Chief Ministers
- Delhi: Atishi Marlena was appointed as the Chief Minister on September 21, 2024.
- Jammu and Kashmir: Omar Abdullah took office as the Chief Minister on October 16, 2024.
- Andhra Pradesh: Nara Chandrababu Naidu became the Chief Minister on June 12, 2024.
Governors
- Assam: Lakshman Acharya was appointed as the Governor on July 30, 2024.
- Chhattisgarh: Ramen Deka took office as the Governor on July 31, 2024.
- Maharashtra: C. P. Radhakrishnan became the Governor on July 31, 2024.
Importance of These Changes
Chief Ministers
- Policy Shifts: New Chief Ministers often introduce changes in state policies and governance priorities, which can significantly impact economic development, social welfare programs, and infrastructure projects.
- Political Stability: Leadership changes can influence the political stability of a state. A smooth transition can enhance governance, while abrupt changes might lead to administrative challenges.
- Public Sentiment: The appointment of a new Chief Minister can affect public sentiment and voter confidence, especially if the new leader is perceived as capable and trustworthy.
Governors
- Administrative Oversight: Governors play a vital role in ensuring that state governments operate within the constitutional framework. New appointments can bring fresh perspectives to this oversight.
- Crisis Management: Governors often act as mediators during political crises or conflicts between the state and central government. New governors might introduce different approaches to conflict resolution.
- Legislative Influence: Governors have the authority to reserve bills for the President’s consideration, influencing the legislative process within the state.
These leadership changes among Chief Ministers and Governors are significant as they can lead to shifts in governance styles, policy directions, and overall state administration, impacting the lives of citizens and the political landscape of the region.
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 (FAQs)
Q1. Are Chief Ministers and Governors the same?
Ans. Each of the 28 states of India, along with some of the union territories, has an elected chief minister. The President of India appoints the governor for the 28 states and 8 union territories. The above list provides all the UTs and all state chief ministers and governor list 2024. Following the State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha), the governor invited the party (or coalition), which gained a majority of the seats. In the states and some UTs, the governor plays a similar role as the President of India. However, in some union territories, the governor acts as the administrator.
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 above the Chief Minister (CM) in the state?
Ans. The state executive committee involves the council of ministers, the governor, and the chief minister as its heads. The Governor is appointed by the President for a five-year term. However, the chief minister is elected by the general public during the state legislative assembly elections. There is no such declaration on who among the state chief ministers and governors holds higher positions. However, the Governor acts as the constitutional head and keeps an eye on state affairs, whereas the CM acts as the de facto executive head.
Q4. 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.
Q5. How do you become governor?
Ans. The President of India appoints the governor. A governor should fulfill the following points to be eligible for his/her position. The person must be aged at least 35 years or above. The person should not hold any position in either the house of the parliament or any state legislative assemblies at the time of appointment. He/she must not represent any office of profit.