Kerala, which is the 14th smallest state in India by area, is often called “God’s Own Country” because of its beautiful natural scenery, rich culture, and lively traditions that make it special. Over time, different leaders have served as Chief Ministers and played an important role in shaping Kerala’s political and social progress, helping the state grow and develop in many ways.
Chief Ministers of Kerala
Kerala has had several influential Chief Ministers since its formation in 1956, beginning with E.M.S. Namboodiripad. Leaders from the CPI(M) and the Congress have shaped the state’s progress, with Pinarayi Vijayan currently serving as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Kerala. Their leadership has driven Kerala’s advancements in education, healthcare, and social development.
List of Chief Ministers of Kerala 1956-2024
Kerala was formed in 1956 through the States Reorganization Act by merging the regions of Travancore, Cochin, Malabar, and the Kasaragod area of South Canara. Since then, twelve different people have been the Chief Minister of Kerala.
| S.No | Chief Minister | From | To | Assembly | Party |
| 1 | Pinarayi Vijayan | 20 May 2021 | Present | 15th | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| 2 | Pinarayi Vijayan | 25 May 2016 | 19 May 2021 | 14th | |
| 3 | Oommen Chandy | 18 May 2011 | 20 May 2016 | 13th | Indian National Congress |
| 4 | V. S. Achuthanandan | 18 May 2006 | 14 May 2011 | 12th | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| 5 | Oommen Chandy | 31 Aug 2004 | 12 May 2006 | 11th | Indian National Congress |
| 6 | A. K. Antony | 17 May 2001 | 29 Aug 2004 | ||
| 7 | E. K. Nayanar | 20 May 1996 | 13 May 2001 | 10th | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| 8 | A. K. Antony | 22 Mar 1995 | 09 May 1996 | 9th | Indian National Congress |
| 9 | K. Karunakaran | 24 Jun 1991 | 16 Mar 1995 | ||
| 10 | E. K. Nayanar | 26 Mar 1987 | 17 Jun 1991 | 8th | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| 11 | K. Karunakaran | 24 May 1982 | 25 Mar 1987 | 7th | Indian National Congress |
| 12 | President’s rule | 17 Mar 1982 | 23 May 1982 | Dissolved | N/A |
| 13 | K. Karunakaran | 28 Dec 1981 | 17 Mar 1982 | 6th | Indian National Congress |
| 14 | President’s rule | 21 Oct 1981 | 28 Dec 1981 | Dissolved | N/A |
| 15 | E. K. Nayanar | 25 Jan 1980 | 20 Oct 1981 | 6th | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| 16 | President’s rule | 05 Dec 1979 | 25 Jan 1980 | Dissolved | N/A |
| 17 | C. H. Mohammed Koya | 12 Oct 1979 | 01 Dec 1979 | 5th | Indian Union Muslim League |
| 18 | P. K. Vasudevan Nair | 29 Oct 1978 | 07 Oct 1979 | Communist Party of India | |
| 19 | A. K. Antony | 27 Apr 1977 | 27 Oct 1978 | Indian National Congress | |
| 20 | K. Karunakaran | 25 Mar 1977 | 25 Apr 1977 | ||
| 21 | C. Achutha Menon | 04 Oct 1970 | 25 Mar 1977 | 4th | Communist Party of India |
| 22 | President’s rule | 04 Aug 1970 | 03 Oct 1970 | Dissolved | N/A |
| 23 | C. Achutha Menon | 01 Nov 1969 | 01 Aug 1970 | 3rd | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| 24 | E. M. S. Namboodiripad | 06 Mar 1967 | 01 Nov 1969 | Communist Party of India | |
| 25 | President’s rule | 25 Mar 1965 | 06 Mar 1967 | Dissolved | N/A |
| 26 | President’s rule | 10 Sep 1964 | 25 Mar 1965 | ||
| 27 | R. Sankar | 26 Sep 1962 | 10 Sep 1964 | 2nd | Indian National Congress |
| 28 | Pattom A. Thanu Pillai | 22 Feb 1960 | 26 Sep 1962 | Praja Socialist Party | |
| 29 | President’s rule | 31 Jul 1959 | 22 Feb 1960 | Dissolved | N/A |
| 30 | E. M. S. Namboodiripad | 05 Apr 1957 | 31 Jul 1959 | 1st | Communist Party of India |
| 31 | President’s rule | 01 Nov 1956 | 05 Apr 1957 | Dissolved | N/A |
Also Read: Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh
First Chief Minister of Kerala
- M. S. Namboodiripad served as the First Chief Minister of Kerala. Between March 6, 1967, to November 1, 1969, he served as the Chief Minister. After Kerala became a distinct state in 1956, E. M. S. Namboodiripad, a well-known leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). During his tenure, he oversaw land reforms, increased salaries for civil servants, and helped attract new private industrial investment to the state.
Current Chief Minister of Kerala
Pinarayi Vijayan is an Indian politician who has been the Current Chief Minister of Kerala since 25 May 2016. He is a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Pinarayi Vijayan was awarded the Gandhi Darshan award for the best-serving Chief Minister in 2018. The Institute of Human Virology in Baltimore, United States, also recognized Vijayan for his successful containment of the Nipah Virus Outbreak 2018 in Kerala.
Chief Ministers of Kerala: Important Facts
- Vijayan became the longest-serving chief minister in Kerala’s history without a break in tenure.
- C. H. Mohammed Koya, belonging to the Indian Union Muslim League, became the first Muslim Chief Minister of Kerala.
- R. Sankar was the first Dalit Chief Minister of Kerala. He was a member of the Pulaya community, which had suffered from discrimination over the years.
- K. Karunakaran holds the record as Kerala’s longest-serving Chief Minister, with a cumulative tenure of 10 years and 353 days
Chief Ministers of Kerala FAQs
Q1. Who was the first Chief Minister of Kerala?+
Q2. Who was the Chief Minister of Kerala during the Emergency period of 1975-1977?+
Q3. Who has served as the Chief Minister of Kerala for the longest period?+
Q4. Who was the first woman Chief Minister of Kerala?+
Q5. How many times President’s rule been imposed in Kerala?+
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