Chief Ministers of Gujarat from 1960 to 2025, CM List, Tenure

According to the Indian Constitution, the Chief Minister is the de facto executive head of a state, whereas the Governor acts as the de jure head. As per Article 164, the Governor appoints the Chief Minister, who is usually the leader of the majority party or coalition in the state legislative assembly. Gujarat was established on May 1, 1960, after the Mahagujarat Movement resulted in the separation of Gujarati-speaking regions from the Bombay State. The First Chief Minister of Gujarat was Jivraj Narayan Mehta of the Indian National Congress, who served until March 3, 1962. Since then, Gujarat has had a total of 18 Chief Ministers.

Chief Ministers of Gujarat

Gujarat is known for its cultural richness and historical significance as a trade and cultural hub. The state’s political landscape has been prominently shaped by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). Since its formation on 1st May 1960, Gujarat has had 17 Chief Ministers. The inaugural Chief Minister was Jivraj Narayan Mehta from the Congress. While the Congress has governed the state seven times, the BJP has retained power since its first victory in 1995. The State has experienced President’s Rule five times. Refer to the table below for a complete list of Gujarat’s Chief Ministers.

List of Chief Ministers of Gujarat from 1960-2025

The state of Gujarat was formed as a result of the Mahagujarat Andolan, a movement advocating for the creation of a separate state for Gujarati-speaking people from the bilingual Bombay State. Since its formation, Gujarat has witnessed leadership under several prominent Chief Ministers. Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister of India, holds the record as the Longest Serving Chief Minister of Gujarat (2001–2014). At present, Bhupendra bhai Patel serves as the Chief Minister. The table below provides a detailed List of Chief Ministers of Gujarat, along with their tenure, constituency, and political parties they represented.

First Chief Ministers of Gujarat

Jivraj Narayan Mehta became the First Chief Minister of Gujarat on May 1, 1960, the day the state was officially created. A distinguished medical professional, he completed his postgraduate studies in London. Apart from his medical career, he actively participated in India’s freedom movement and briefly served as Mahatma Gandhi’s personal physician. His leadership during Gujarat’s formative years played a crucial role in shaping the state’s political framework and developmental progress.

Also Read: Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh

Current Chief Minister of Gujarat

Bhupendra Rajnikant bhai Patel has been serving as the Chief Minister of Gujarat since September 13, 2021, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Bhupendra Rajnikant bhai Patel was initially elected as an MLA from the Ghatlodia constituency in 2017 and re-elected in 2022. He belongs to the influential Kadva Patidar community which plays a crucial role in maintaining the party’s stronghold in the state.

Longest Serving Chief Minister of Gujarat

Narendra Modi was the Longest Serving Chief Minister of Gujarat before becoming the Prime Minister of India, he held the position of Gujarat’s Chief Minister for over 12 years. His tenure is still marked for massive development which made Gujarat, the fastest growing state of India. Apart from that Narendra Modi introduced various welfare schemes such as PM Jan Dhan Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Ujjwala Yojana and also strengthened ties globally through G20, BRICS, and QUAD.