Andhra Pradesh CM List 1956-2025, Political Parties and Tenure Explained

Andhra Pradesh officially came into existence as a separate state on 1st November 1956 through the merger of the Andhra State with the Telugu-speaking regions of the former Hyderabad State. This linguistic reorganization marked a significant chapter in India’s post-independence state formation efforts, making Andhra Pradesh the first state created on a linguistic basis.

Since its formation, the state has been governed by a series of Chief Ministers representing diverse political ideologies, each playing a distinct role in shaping its social, economic, and infrastructural development. Over the years, the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh has been largely influenced by two major parties, the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) both of which have led successive governments and contributed to the state’s evolution.

Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh

Since its establishment in 1956, there have been 18 Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, beginning with Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, who later rose to become the President of India. The state has largely been governed by leaders from the Indian National Congress (INC), especially in its early decades, before the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) emerged as a dominant political force. There have been three instances of President’s Rule in Andhra Pradesh, with the most recent imposition occurring in 2014, just before the state’s bifurcation. Among the Chief Ministers, P. V. Narasimha Rao, also from the INC, later went on to serve as the Prime Minister of India. N. Bhaskara Rao had the shortest tenure, holding office for just 31 days.

List of Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh from 1956-2025

In the table below, we have shared an insight into the List of Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, including the tenures they served for, the parties they represent, and their duration as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. 

Also Read: Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh

First Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh

The First Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh was Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, who represented the Indian National Congress from November 1956 to January 1960. He later went on to become the President of India. During his time as the Chief Minister he implemented various development initiatives, specially in the areas of agriculture and irrigation. His time as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh was highlighted by efficient administration and a great focus on community development.

Current Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh

As of June 2024, N. Chandrababu Naidu is serving as the Current Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, having taken office on 12 June 2024. This marks his third term in power, after previously serving from 1995 to 2004 and from 2014 to 2019. He was the 19th and the 20th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and is now serving as the 26th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, representing the Telugu Desam Party. His great emphasis on the development of the IT industry helped transform Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, into a Global hub for information technology.

Longest-Serving Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh

The Longest-Serving Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh is N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is the leader of the Telugu Desam Party, which he represented for almost 9 consecutive years as the 19th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He first became the Chief Minister of the state on September 1, 1995, and served until May 14, 2004, making it the longest continuous term in the state’s history.