List of Chief Ministers of Indian states

India, a federal parliamentary republic, comprises 28 states and 8 union territories. Each state has a Chief Minister (CM) as its head of government, responsible for executive administration and policy implementation. The Chief Ministers are appointed by the Governors of their respective states, usually from the majority party or coalition in the state legislative assembly. In the case of Union Territories with legislatures, such as Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir, the Chief Minister performs similar administrative duties under the Lieutenant Governor.

Chief Ministers of Indian States (as of 2025)

The following table lists the current Chief Ministers of all Indian states, along with their respective political affiliations:

Chief Ministers of Union Territories

Some Union Territories of India have partial legislative powers and, therefore, their own Chief Ministers. Others are governed directly by the President through appointed administrators or Lieutenant Governors.

Role and Constitutional Position

The Chief Minister serves as the executive head of the state government and the principal advisor to the Governor. Under Article 164 of the Constitution of India, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor, who invites the leader of the majority party or coalition to form the government. The Council of Ministers, headed by the Chief Minister, exercises real executive authority, while the Governor performs largely ceremonial functions.
Key responsibilities of a Chief Minister include:

• Formulating and implementing state policies and programmes.
• Overseeing the functioning of various departments.
• Coordinating with the central government on financial and developmental matters.
• Maintaining law and order within the state.
• Representing the state at intergovernmental meetings and national forums.

Political and Administrative Significance

The office of the Chief Minister holds immense influence in India’s federal system. As the principal link between the state and the central government, the Chief Minister plays a decisive role in shaping economic, social, and infrastructural development. The effectiveness of state governance often depends on the leadership, administrative acumen, and political stability under the Chief Minister’s tenure.
State-level elections determine the composition of legislative assemblies, and consequently, the selection of Chief Ministers. With India’s multiparty democracy, states often display diverse political landscapes — from national parties like the BJP and INC to strong regional parties such as the DMK, TDP, BJD, AITC, and others.