postUpdated Aug 10, 2026
Current CMs and Governors of India 2026: Complete State-Wise Static GK List
This article gives the complete, updated 2026 list of Chief Ministers, Governors, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of all 28 Indian states and 8 Union Territories. It also covers the constitutional articles behind these posts, all the leadership changes that took place in 2026, memory tricks, and quick-revision one-liners. Aspirants can expect 2 to 3 direct questions from this topic in SSC, Banking, Insurance, Railways and State PSC exams.
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Introduction
The list of Current CMs and Governors is one of the highest-scoring General Awareness topics in Indian competitive exams. Almost every major recruitment exam asks at least one direct question from this area, either as a plain question such as "Who is the present Chief Minister of Odisha?" or as a matching question that pairs a state with its Governor. Because these posts change frequently, this is a Static GK topic that behaves like current affairs, and that is exactly why so many aspirants lose easy marks here.
India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Every state has a Chief Minister and a Governor. Among the Union Territories, only three have their own Chief Minister, while all eight are headed by a Lieutenant Governor or an Administrator. That gives a total of 31 Chief Ministers and 28 state Governors to remember. This article covers all of them as of August 2026 and includes the first-ever appointments and historic changes from the first half of the year. Pair this with your constitutional knowledge of Articles 153-164 to strengthen your foundation.
Core Concept Explanation
Before memorising names, understand the constitutional design. India follows a parliamentary system at both the Union and the State level. At the state level, the Governor is the de jure head (the constitutional or nominal head), while the Chief Minister is the de facto head (the real executive authority). This mirrors the relationship between the President and the Prime Minister at the Centre. Understanding this distinction is crucial for both prelims and mains across UPSC, SSC and banking exams.
Constitutional Roles: The Key Distinction
- Governor - De jure head of state under Article 154
- Chief Minister - De facto head of state under Article 164
- Governor appointed by the President, not elected (Article 155)
- Chief Minister appointed by the Governor but must command Assembly confidence (Article 164)
- Governor holds office at pleasure of the President with no security of tenure
The Governor: Key Constitutional Provisions
Governor Articles Ladder: 153 to 158
- Article 153 - There shall be a Governor for each state; one person can govern multiple states (7th Amendment, 1956)
- Article 154 - Executive power of the state vested in the Governor
- Article 155 - Governor appointed by the President by warrant
- Article 156 - Term of 5 years; holds office at pleasure of President
- Article 157 - Qualifications: Indian citizen, minimum age 35 years
- Article 158 - Cannot be MP, MLA, or hold office of profit
Governor's Discretionary Powers
- Appointment of Chief Minister when no party has clear majority
- Recommending President's Rule under Article 356
- Reserving a bill for President's consideration (Article 200)
- Personal immunity from criminal proceedings during tenure (Article 361)
- Ranks 4th in Indian Order of Precedence (within state)
For a deeper dive into the constitutional framework, refer to the schedules of the Indian Constitution and the fundamental rights, duties and DPSP that frame the Governor's role.
The Chief Minister: Key Constitutional Provisions
Chief Minister: The Executive Link
- Article 163 - Council of Ministers exists to aid and advise the Governor
- Article 164 - Chief Minister appointed by Governor; other ministers on CM's advice
- Article 167 - CM is the principal channel of communication between Governor and Council
- No educational qualification prescribed; no term limit imposed by Constitution
- Non-member may become CM but must get elected within 6 months
Chief Minister's Term and Accountability
- Normal tenure: 5 years (subject to Assembly confidence)
- Can be dismissed if the Council of Ministers loses majority support
- No removal power with the Governor, unlike at the Centre
- Collective responsibility to the Legislative Assembly (not to Governor)
- Portfolio allocation and ministerial decisions are CM's prerogative
For complete constitutional context on the state executive, explore the parts of the Indian Constitution and emergency provisions that govern the Governor's discretionary role in state governance.
Chief Ministers of Indian States 2026
As of August 2026, the BJP leads the highest number of states with 17 Chief Ministers across states and Union Territories, followed by the Congress with 4. The first half of 2026 saw four state elections and one major leadership transition in Karnataka, resulting in significant changes to the list below.
Party Position Among Chief Ministers
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - 17 states and UTs
- Indian National Congress (INC) - 4 states
- Regional Parties - 10 Chief Ministers in smaller formations
- Only one woman Chief Minister in the entire country: Rekha Gupta (Delhi)
- Youngest CM: Pema Khandu (age 46); Oldest: N. Chandrababu Naidu (age 76)
State-Wise List of Chief Ministers
| State | Chief Minister | Party | Took Office and Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | N. Chandrababu Naidu | Telugu Desam Party | Took office 12 June 2024. Serving his fourth term and is the national president of the TDP. Born 20 April 1950, he is the oldest serving Chief Minister in India today. Credited with developing Hyderabad as an IT hub and with the Amaravati capital project. |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Pema Khandu | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 17 July 2016. At age 46 he is the youngest serving Chief Minister, and having held office since 2016 he is also the longest continuously serving Chief Minister in the country. |
| Assam | Himanta Biswa Sarma | Bharatiya Janata Party | Re-appointed on 12 May 2026 after the BJP retained Assam in the 2026 assembly election. He first became Chief Minister in May 2021 and is a prominent face of the North East Democratic Alliance. |
| Bihar | Samrat Choudhary | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 15 April 2026 as the 24th Chief Minister and the first-ever Chief Minister from the BJP in Bihar. He succeeded Nitish Kumar, who resigned after being elected to the Rajya Sabha. |
| Chhattisgarh | Vishnu Deo Sai | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 13 December 2023 after the BJP won the assembly election. He is a tribal leader from the Sarguja region and a former Union Minister of State. |
| Goa | Pramod Sawant | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 19 March 2019 following the death of Manohar Parrikar, and was re-elected in 2022. He is an Ayurveda doctor by training. |
| Gujarat | Bhupendra Patel | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 13 September 2021 and returned for a second term after the 2022 election. He represents the Ghatlodia constituency in Ahmedabad. |
| Haryana | Nayab Singh Saini | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 12 March 2024, replacing Manohar Lal Khattar, and continued after the BJP's 2024 assembly win. He belongs to the Other Backward Classes and represents Ladwa. |
| Himachal Pradesh | Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu | Indian National Congress | Took office 11 December 2022 after the Congress won the assembly election. He is one of only four Congress Chief Ministers in India at present. |
| Jharkhand | Hemant Soren | Jharkhand Mukti Morcha | Took office in the current term on 4 July 2024 and continued after the JMM-led alliance won the 2024 assembly election. He is the son of JMM founder Shibu Soren. |
| Karnataka | D. K. Shivakumar | Indian National Congress | Took oath on 3 June 2026 as the 18th Chief Minister of Karnataka, administered by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. He replaced Siddaramaiah, who resigned in May 2026. |
| Kerala | V. D. Satheesan | Indian National Congress (UDF) | Took oath on 18 May 2026 as the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala. He is an MLA from Paravur and became Chief Minister after the United Democratic Front won the 2026 assembly election. |
| Madhya Pradesh | Mohan Yadav | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 13 December 2023, replacing Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He represents Ujjain South and previously held the Higher Education portfolio. |
| Maharashtra | Devendra Fadnavis | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 5 December 2024 for his third term after the Mahayuti alliance's landslide victory. Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar serve as Deputy Chief Ministers. |
| Manipur | Yumnam Khemchand Singh | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took oath on 4 February 2026 after the revocation of President's Rule in the state. He is a former Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and represents Singjamei. |
| Meghalaya | Conrad Kongkal Sangma | National People's Party | Took office 6 March 2018 and began a second term in March 2023. He is the son of former Lok Sabha Speaker P. A. Sangma and leads the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance. |
| Mizoram | Lalduhoma | Zoram People's Movement | Took office 8 December 2023 after the ZPM ended decades of MNF and Congress dominance. A former IPS officer, he once served in the security detail of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. |
| Nagaland | Neiphiu Rio | Naga People's Front | In office since 8 March 2018 and serving a record fifth term overall. His party, the NDPP, merged with the Naga People's Front in 2026. Born 11 November 1950. |
| Odisha | Mohan Charan Majhi | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 12 June 2024 as the first BJP Chief Minister of Odisha, ending the long BJD rule of Naveen Patnaik. He is a tribal leader from Keonjhar. |
| Punjab | Bhagwant Singh Mann | Aam Aadmi Party | Took office 16 March 2022 after AAP's sweeping victory. A former comedian and Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur, he took oath at Khatkar Kalan, the village of Bhagat Singh. |
| Rajasthan | Bhajan Lal Sharma | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 15 December 2023 as a first-time MLA from Sanganer, replacing Ashok Gehlot after the BJP's assembly win. |
| Sikkim | Prem Singh Tamang (P. S. Golay) | Sikkim Krantikari Morcha | Took office 27 May 2019 and returned with a near-total sweep in the 2024 election. He ended the 24-year rule of Pawan Kumar Chamling. |
| Tamil Nadu | C. Joseph Vijay | Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam | Took oath on 10 May 2026 as the 9th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The actor-turned-politician became the first Chief Minister in nearly 60 years from a party other than the DMK or AIADMK. |
| Telangana | A. Revanth Reddy | Indian National Congress | Took office 7 December 2023 as the 2nd Chief Minister of Telangana, ending the BRS rule of K. Chandrashekar Rao. He represents Kodangal. |
| Tripura | Manik Saha | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 15 May 2022 and returned for a second term in March 2023. He is a dental surgeon by profession and a Rajya Sabha member turned Chief Minister. |
| Uttar Pradesh | Yogi Adityanath | Bharatiya Janata Party | First took office 19 March 2017 and began his second consecutive term on 25 March 2022, becoming the first Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister in decades to return to power after completing a full term. He is the Mahant of Gorakhnath Math. |
| Uttarakhand | Pushkar Singh Dhami | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 4 July 2021 and continued after the 2022 election. His government introduced the Uniform Civil Code legislation in the state. |
| West Bengal | Suvendu Adhikari | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took oath on 9 May 2026 at the Brigade Parade Grounds, Kolkata, as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal. He ended the long tenure of Mamata Banerjee. |
Learn more about the state structure and government from our resources on Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and strengthen your understanding of Panchayati Raj System for a holistic view of India's federal governance.
Chief Ministers of Union Territories
Out of eight Union Territories, only Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry have a Legislative Assembly and therefore a Chief Minister. This distinction is tested frequently in competitive exams.
The Three Union Territories with Chief Ministers
- Delhi (NCT) - Rekha Gupta (BJP), took oath 20 February 2025
- Jammu and Kashmir - Omar Abdullah (J&K National Conference), took oath 16 October 2024
- Puducherry - N. Rangaswamy (AINRC), re-appointed 13 May 2026
| Union Territory | Chief Minister | Party | Took Office and Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi (NCT) | Rekha Gupta | Bharatiya Janata Party | Took office 20 February 2025 as a first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh after the BJP returned to power in Delhi after 27 years. She is the fourth woman Chief Minister of Delhi and the only woman Chief Minister in India today. |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Omar Abdullah | Jammu and Kashmir National Conference | Took office 16 October 2024 as the first Chief Minister after Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into a Union Territory. He had earlier served as Chief Minister of the erstwhile state from 2009 to 2015. |
| Puducherry | N. Rangaswamy | All India N.R. Congress | Re-appointed on 13 May 2026 following the 2026 assembly election. He is the founder of the AINRC and has served multiple terms as Chief Minister of Puducherry. Born 4 August 1950. |
Governors of Indian States 2026
A major Governor reshuffle took place in March 2026, with new Governors appointed across six states and several transfers creating a chain reaction. Understanding the discretionary powers of the Governor under Articles 200 and 356 will help you answer questions about President's Rule and constitutional crises at the state level.
The March 2026 Reshuffle: Key Numbers
- 8 Governor changes in total (new appointments and transfers)
- 6 states received new Governors
- 2 Lieutenant Governors for Union Territories replaced
- Triggered by one resignation: C. V. Ananda Bose from West Bengal
- Chain reaction: each transfer left a vacant seat for the next appointment
State-Wise List of Governors
| State | Governor | Took Office | Key Features and Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Justice (Retd.) S. Abdul Nazeer | 24 February 2023 | A former judge of the Supreme Court of India who was part of the five-judge Constitution Bench in the Ayodhya title dispute and the demonetisation case. Appointed by President Droupadi Murmu. |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Lt. Gen. Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik (Retd.) | 16 February 2023 | A decorated Army officer awarded the PVSM, UYSM and YSM, who served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command. |
| Assam | Lakshman Prasad Acharya | 30 July 2024 | A veteran politician from Uttar Pradesh and former MLC who earlier served as Governor of Sikkim. |
| Bihar | Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) | 14 March 2026 | Sworn in as the 43rd Governor of Bihar. He is the first former Indian Army officer to become Governor of Bihar and succeeded Arif Mohammad Khan. |
| Chhattisgarh | Ramen Deka | 31 July 2024 | A former Lok Sabha member from Mangaldoi, Assam, and a long-serving BJP organisational leader. |
| Goa | Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju | 26 July 2025 | The 20th Governor of Goa and a former Union Civil Aviation Minister. He belongs to the royal family of the erstwhile Vizianagaram princely state and served in the Andhra Pradesh legislature for over 25 years. |
| Gujarat | Acharya Devvrat | 22 July 2019 | The longest continuously serving Governor in India today. An educationist and promoter of natural farming, he earlier served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh. |
| Haryana | Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh | 21 July 2025 | An academic and senior political leader from West Bengal who served as a professor of political science before entering politics. He succeeded Bandaru Dattatreya. |
| Himachal Pradesh | Kavinder Gupta | 10 March 2026 | A former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, former Speaker of the J&K Assembly and three-term Mayor of Jammu. He had served as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh before this appointment. |
| Jharkhand | Santosh Kumar Gangwar | 31 July 2024 | An eight-term Lok Sabha member from Bareilly and a former Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment. |
| Karnataka | Thaawarchand Gehlot | 11 July 2021 | A former Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment and former Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha. He administered the oath to Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar in June 2026. |
| Kerala | Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar | 2 January 2025 | A former Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and former Governor of Bihar and Himachal Pradesh. Since March 2026 he also discharges the functions of the Governor of Tamil Nadu. |
| Madhya Pradesh | Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel | 8 July 2021 | A six-term MLA from Navsari in Gujarat and a former Gujarat state minister. |
| Maharashtra | Jishnu Dev Varma | 10 March 2026 | Sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Maharashtra. A member of the Manikya royal dynasty of Tripura, he was Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura from 2018 to 2023 and Governor of Telangana from 2024 to 2026. |
| Manipur | Ajay Kumar Bhalla | 3 January 2025 | A retired IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre who served as Union Home Secretary. He is the youngest serving Governor in the country. |
| Meghalaya | C. H. Vijayashankar | 30 July 2024 | A three-term Lok Sabha member from Mysore, Karnataka, and a long-time BJP leader. |
| Mizoram | Gen. (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd.) | 16 January 2025 | A former Chief of the Army Staff and former Union Minister of State for Road Transport and External Affairs. He is decorated with the PVSM, AVSM and YSM. |
| Nagaland | Nand Kishore Yadav | 13 March 2026 | Sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Nagaland. He served as the 17th Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly before this appointment. |
| Odisha | Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati | 3 January 2025 | A former Lok Sabha member from Visakhapatnam and former Governor of Mizoram. He holds a doctorate in engineering. |
| Punjab | Gulab Chand Kataria | 31 July 2024 | A former Home Minister of Rajasthan and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly. He simultaneously holds charge as the Administrator of Chandigarh. |
| Rajasthan | Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde | 31 July 2024 | A former Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and a senior BJP leader from Marathwada. |
| Sikkim | Om Prakash Mathur | 31 July 2024 | A former Rajya Sabha member and BJP national vice-president who has served as party in-charge for several states. |
| Tamil Nadu | Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (Additional Charge) | 12 March 2026 | Holds additional charge of Tamil Nadu while continuing as Governor of Kerala. He administered the oath to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in May 2026. |
| Telangana | Shiv Pratap Shukla | 11 March 2026 | The 5th Governor of Telangana. Born in 1952, he is a former Union Minister of State for Finance and served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh before moving to Telangana. |
| Tripura | Indra Sena Reddy Nallu | 26 October 2023 | A senior BJP leader from Telangana and a former MLA who has held several party organisational posts. |
| Uttar Pradesh | Anandiben Patel | 29 July 2019 | At 84 she is the oldest serving Governor in India. She was the first woman Chief Minister of Gujarat and earlier served as Governor of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. |
| Uttarakhand | Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.) | 15 September 2021 | A former Deputy Chief of the Army Staff decorated with the PVSM, UYSM, AVSM and VSM, and a former member of the National Security Advisory Board. |
| West Bengal | R. N. Ravi | 12 March 2026 | Sworn in as the 22nd Governor of West Bengal. A former Intelligence Bureau officer and Deputy National Security Adviser, he was Governor of Nagaland (2019-2021) and Tamil Nadu (2021-2026). |
Explore the roles and powers of Election Commission and Election Process to understand how Governors interact with elections, and learn about important committees and commissions that advise Governors on policy matters.
Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of Union Territories
Five Lieutenant Governors, Three Administrators: The Key Distinction
- Lieutenant Governors - 5 Union Territories have this designation (Andaman and Nicobar, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Puducherry)
- Administrators - 3 Union Territories have this designation (Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep)
- Distinction frequently tested in SSC, Banking, and UPSC prelims
- Both positions appointed by the President but carry different constitutional weight
- One person may hold both posts or additional charge simultaneously
| Union Territory | Lt. Governor / Administrator | Designation | Key Features and Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Admiral D. K. Joshi (Retd.) | Lieutenant Governor | A former Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, appointed during the tenure of President Ram Nath Kovind. He is the longest-serving current Lieutenant Governor. |
| Chandigarh | Gulab Chand Kataria | Administrator | Holds this post along with his primary role as the Governor of Punjab, following the long-standing convention that the Punjab Governor administers Chandigarh. |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Praful Patel | Administrator | A BJP leader from Gujarat who has administered the merged Union Territory since its creation in 2020. He simultaneously administers Lakshadweep. |
| Delhi (NCT) | Taranjit Singh Sandhu | Lieutenant Governor | A career diplomat and former Indian Ambassador to the United States, appointed in the March 2026 reshuffle. He works alongside Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Manoj Sinha | Lieutenant Governor | In office since August 2020, he is a former Union Minister of State for Railways and Communications and oversaw the first assembly election in the Union Territory in 2024. |
| Ladakh | Vinai Kumar Saxena | Lieutenant Governor | Took oath as the 4th Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh on 13 March 2026. He previously served as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. |
| Lakshadweep | Praful Patel | Administrator | Holds additional charge of Lakshadweep along with Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, making him the only person administering two Union Territories. |
| Puducherry | K. Kailashnathan | Lieutenant Governor | A retired IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre who served as Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Gujarat before his appointment. |
For deeper understanding of Union Territories and their unique constitutional status, refer to the Indian states and capitals with formation dates article and the constitutional and statutory bodies that govern them.
Major Leadership Changes in 2026
Record-Breaking 2026: Six New Chief Ministers and Eight Governor Changes
- 6 new Chief Ministers took office between February and June 2026
- 8 Governor appointments and transfers occurred in the March reshuffle alone
- 3 first-ever Chief Ministers from BJP in Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha
- 1 first-time Chief Minister outside DMK-AIADMK in Tamil Nadu (C. Joseph Vijay)
- The Tamil Nadu and Kerala elections were decisive, breaking long-standing incumbencies
| Date | Change | State / UT | Significance for Exams |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Feb 2026 | Yumnam Khemchand Singh became Chief Minister | Manipur | End of President's Rule and restoration of popular government in a state under Constitutional turmoil |
| 5 Mar 2026 | C. V. Ananda Bose resigned as Governor | West Bengal | Triggered the chain reaction that led to the March 2026 Governor reshuffle |
| 6 Mar 2026 | President Droupadi Murmu approved a major reshuffle | Multiple states and UTs | 8 new/transferred Governors appointed across the country in coordinated action |
| 14 Mar 2026 | Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain sworn in as Governor | Bihar | First former Army officer to become Governor of Bihar (43rd position) |
| 15 Apr 2026 | Samrat Choudhary sworn in as Chief Minister | Bihar | First BJP Chief Minister in Bihar's history (24th CM overall) |
| 9 May 2026 | Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as Chief Minister | West Bengal | First BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal (ended Mamata Banerjee's 16-year rule) |
| 10 May 2026 | C. Joseph Vijay sworn in as Chief Minister | Tamil Nadu | First CM in 60 years outside DMK and AIADMK (9th CM overall) |
| 12 May 2026 | Himanta Biswa Sarma re-appointed Chief Minister | Assam | Continuation of BJP rule after the 2026 assembly election win |
| 18 May 2026 | V. D. Satheesan sworn in as Chief Minister | Kerala | End of Pinarayi Vijayan's long tenure (13th CM overall) |
| 3 Jun 2026 | D. K. Shivakumar sworn in as Chief Minister | Karnataka | Leadership transition within Congress (18th CM overall) |
Key Records and Historic Milestones
Records Set in 2026
- Oldest serving CM: N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), aged 76 - became senior-most when Pinarayi Vijayan left office
- Youngest serving CM: Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh), aged 46 - also longest-continuously serving
- Only woman CM: Rekha Gupta (Delhi), 4th woman CM of Delhi - became sole woman CM after May elections
- Oldest serving Governor: Anandiben Patel (Uttar Pradesh), aged 84
- Youngest serving Governor: Ajay Kumar Bhalla (Manipur), IAS officer, former Union Home Secretary
Historic "Firsts" of 2026
- First BJP Chief Minister of Bihar - Samrat Choudhary
- First BJP Chief Minister of Odisha - Mohan Charan Majhi (appointed June 2024, continued in 2026)
- First BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal - Suvendu Adhikari
- First Chief Minister of J&K after UT status - Omar Abdullah (October 2024, continued in 2026)
- First Chief Minister in 60 years outside DMK/AIADMK - C. Joseph Vijay (Tamil Nadu)
- First former Army Chief as Governor - Gen. Vijay Kumar Singh (Mizoram)
- First woman CM in 27 years - Rekha Gupta (Delhi)
For long-term perspective on Indian governance, study the important constitutional amendments that have shaped the executive, and review the Vice Presidents of India and Chief Justices of India to understand the Indian constitutional hierarchy.
Memory Tricks and Mnemonics
Trick 1: The Governor Article Ladder (153 to 158)
Remember Articles as a Climbing Sequence
- 153 - There shall be a Governor
- 154 - Executive power is vested
- 155 - Governor is appointed
- 156 - Term and pleasure of President
- 157 - Qualifications (age 35, citizen)
- 158 - Conditions of office
Memory phrase: "Shall Vest, Appoint at Pleasure, Qualify the Conditions." The first letters (S-V-A-P-Q-C) run in sequence with the articles (153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158).
Trick 2: The Chief Minister Trio 163-164-167
The Three Key Articles for Chief Ministers
- 163 - Advise the Governor (Council of Ministers)
- 164 - Appoint the Chief Minister
- 167 - Act as link between Governor and Council
Memory phrase: "Advise, Appoint, Act as Link" - the triple A of the Chief Minister framework. Note: Articles 165 and 166 exist but deal with different functions (Advocate General and conduct of business), so they are excluded from this mnemonic.
Trick 3: DJP - The Union Territory Rule
Remember the acronym DJP: Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry. These three Union Territories alone have Chief Ministers. All other Union Territories are run entirely by the Centre through Administrators or Lieutenant Governors. Mnemonic: "Delhi's Jasmine reaches Puducherry."
Trick 4: The Double-Charge Trio (A-K-P)
Three Officeholders Wearing Two Hats at Once
- Arlekar - Kerala Governor with additional charge of Tamil Nadu
- Kataria - Punjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh
- Praful Patel - Administrator of both Dadra-Daman-Diu and Lakshadweep (only person with two UT charges)
Trick 5: The Khandu Contrast - Youngest Yet Longest
The youth and tenure of Pema Khandu form a powerful memory hook: he is simultaneously the youngest serving Chief Minister at 46 AND the longest continuously serving Chief Minister, in office since July 2016. Contrast him with N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is the oldest at 76 but in his current term only since 2024. Memory phrase: "Young man, long innings. Old man, new innings."
Current Affairs One-Liners
Quick Revision
- Article 153 → Governor existence and 7th Amendment Act 1956 → allows one person to govern multiple states
- Article 155 → Governor appointment → Appointed by President of India, not elected
- Article 156 → Governor tenure → Term of 5 years + pleasure of President
- Article 157 → Governor qualifications → Age 35+ and Indian citizen
- Article 158 → Governor conditions → Cannot be MP, MLA, or hold office of profit
- Article 164 → Chief Minister appointment → Appointed by Governor + advises other ministers
- Article 200 → Governor discretion → Can reserve bills for President
- Article 356 → President's Rule → Governor can recommend when state govt fails
- Rekha Gupta → Delhi CM (BJP) → Only woman CM in India (sworn in Feb 2025)
- Samrat Choudhary → Bihar CM (BJP) → First-ever BJP CM in Bihar (April 2026)
- Suvendu Adhikari → West Bengal CM (BJP) → First-ever BJP CM in West Bengal (May 2026)
- C. Joseph Vijay → Tamil Nadu CM (TVK) → First CM in 60 years outside DMK/AIADMK
- V. D. Satheesan → Kerala CM (Congress) → UDF victory ended Pinarayi Vijayan's tenure (May 2026)
- D. K. Shivakumar → Karnataka CM (Congress) → Took oath 3 June 2026 after Siddaramaiah
- Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh) → Youngest CM (46 years) + longest continuously serving
- N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh) → Oldest serving CM (age 76)
- Anandiben Patel (Uttar Pradesh) → Oldest serving Governor (age 84); First woman CM of Gujarat
- Ajay Kumar Bhalla (Manipur) → Youngest serving Governor (IAS, ex-Home Secretary)
- R. N. Ravi → 22nd Governor of West Bengal → Posted from Tamil Nadu (March 2026)
- Rajendra Arlekar → Governor Kerala + additional charge Tamil Nadu → Only 1 person with 2-state duty
- Praful Patel → Administrator → Holds additional charge of both Dadra-Daman-Diu AND Lakshadweep
- Omar Abdullah (Jammu & Kashmir) → First CM after J&K UT status (Oct 2024)
- Mohan Charan Majhi (Odisha) → First-ever BJP CM in Odisha (June 2024)
- Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Bihar Governor) → First former Army officer as Bihar Governor
- 28 states with 28 Governors + 8 Union Territories with 3 CMs = 31 Chief Ministers total
- BJP strength: 17 CMs | Congress strength: 4 CMs | Regional parties: 10 CMs
- March 2026 reshuffle → 8 Governors shifted/appointed → Triggered by C. V. Ananda Bose's resignation (WB)
- 7th Constitutional Amendment Act 1956 → Allows one person to be Governor of multiple states
- DJP Rule: Delhi, Jammu-Kashmir, Puducherry → only UTs with Chief Ministers
- 5 LGs + 3 Admins: 5 Union Territories with Lieutenant Governors (APJDL); 3 with Administrators (CDL)
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Strengthen your Static GK foundation by exploring our complete Static GK notes and take the Static GK quiz to test yourself on current CMs and Governors. Banking and insurance candidates should also review banking awareness notes for context on how state governments interact with financial regulators. Pair this revision with the daily current affairs to catch any new appointments announced after August 2026, and check the latest government job notifications to align your exam preparation with recruitment timelines.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many Chief Ministers and Governors are there in India in 2026?
India has 31 Chief Ministers, covering 28 states plus the Union Territories of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry. There are 28 state Governors, along with 5 Lieutenant Governors and 3 Administrators for the 8 Union Territories.
Who is the Chief Minister of Bihar in 2026?
Samrat Choudhary of the Bharatiya Janata Party is the Chief Minister of Bihar. He took oath on 15 April 2026 as the 24th Chief Minister and is the first ever BJP Chief Minister of the state, succeeding Nitish Kumar who moved to the Rajya Sabha.
Which article of the Constitution deals with the appointment of the Chief Minister?
Article 164 provides that the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor of the state, and other ministers are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. Article 163 covers the Council of Ministers that aids and advises the Governor, and Article 167 defines the Chief Minister's duty to act as the link between the two.
Can one person be the Governor of two states at the same time?
Yes. Article 153, as amended by the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956, permits the same person to be appointed Governor of two or more states. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar currently serves as Governor of Kerala while also holding additional charge of Tamil Nadu.
Who is the only woman Chief Minister in India at present?
Rekha Gupta of Delhi is the only woman Chief Minister in India as of 2026. She took office on 20 February 2025 and is the fourth woman to hold the post in Delhi. Sucheta Kripalani of Uttar Pradesh was India's first woman Chief Minister, serving from 1963 to 1967.
Who is the youngest and who is the oldest serving Chief Minister in India?
Pema Khandu of Arunachal Pradesh is the youngest at 46 years, and he is also the longest continuously serving Chief Minister, in office since July 2016. N. Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh, born on 20 April 1950, is the oldest serving Chief Minister at 76.
Which Union Territories have their own Chief Minister?
Only Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry have a Legislative Assembly and therefore an elected Chief Minister. The remaining five Union Territories are administered directly by the Centre through a Lieutenant Governor or an Administrator.
What major Governor changes took place in March 2026?
President Droupadi Murmu approved a large reshuffle on 6 March 2026. R. N. Ravi moved from Tamil Nadu to West Bengal, Jishnu Dev Varma moved from Telangana to Maharashtra, Shiv Pratap Shukla moved from Himachal Pradesh to Telangana, and Kavinder Gupta became Governor of Himachal Pradesh. Syed Ata Hasnain took charge in Bihar and Nand Kishore Yadav in Nagaland.
What is the difference between a Lieutenant Governor and an Administrator?
Both represent the President in a Union Territory, but the designation differs by territory. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Puducherry have Lieutenant Governors, while Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Lakshadweep have Administrators. The Punjab Governor traditionally serves as the Administrator of Chandigarh.
How long is the term of a Governor and can the term be cut short?
Under Article 156 a Governor holds office for five years, but the appointment continues only during the pleasure of the President. The President may remove a Governor at any time without assigning reasons, so early removal or resignation is constitutionally valid.
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