Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir from 1965-2025, Names & Tenures

On October 26, 1947, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir formally acceded to the Union of India when its ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, signed the Instrument of Accession. Initially, the head of the state government held the title of Prime Minister. This designation was later changed to Chief Minister on March 30, 1965, aligning with the nomenclature used in other Indian states. Mehr Chand Mahajan, representing the Indian National Congress, served as the First Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, holding office from 15 October 1947 to 5 March 1948. Since then, a total of 18 individuals have held the post of Chief Minister in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir

As of October 2024, Omar Abdullah serves as the Current Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, having assumed office on October 8, 2024. This marks his second tenure in the role, with his previous term spanning from 2009 to 2015, during which he completed a full six-year term. A senior leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), Omar Abdullah is a significant figure in the region’s political landscape. Omar Abdullah’s return to office in 2024 depicts the influence of the Abdullah family in the political affairs of Jammu and Kashmir.

List of Prime Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir from 1947 to 1965

From the time of India’s independence until 1965, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was governed by officials holding the title of Prime Minister. Presented below is the List of Prime Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir from 1947 to 1965:

List of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir from 1965 to 2025

The table below includes the List of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir from 1965-2025, highlighting the prominent leaders who have governed the region during this period. It reflects their contributions as well as the significant political developments that have shaped Jammu and Kashmir over the years.

Also Read: Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh

First Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq became the First Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, serving from 30 March 1965 to 21 February 1967. Prior to this, he held the position of Prime Minister of the state until the office was renamed. Mehr Chand Mahajan was the First Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, while Sheikh Abdullah was the first to be elected to the post. Omar Abdullah served as the 11th Chief Minister, and Mehbooba Mufti was the last to hold the office before Jammu and Kashmir was reconstituted as a Union Territory.

Current Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

Omar Abdullah serves as the Current Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, having taken oath on October 16. At 54 years of age, this marks his second term in office. He belongs to a prominent political family with deep roots in the region; his grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was the first leader after Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India, while his father, Farooq Abdullah, held the Chief Minister’s position three times.

Omar Abdullah was the last Chief Minister to complete a full six-year term, governing the state from 2009 to 2015. In addition to his role as Chief Minister, he has served as a Member of Parliament and held the position of Minister of State for External Affairs in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government from 2001 to 2002.

Longest-Serving Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the president of the National Conference, holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, having completed three terms totaling 11 years and 17 days. His tenures were as follows:

1. First term: September 8, 1982, to July 2, 1984
2. Second term: November 7, 1986, to January 19, 1990
3. Third term: October 9, 1996, to October 18, 2002

Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah served as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for a total of 7 years and 90 days across two terms. Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq, the First Chief Minister after the office was established, held the position for six years and 257 days. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) served for approximately three years and 312 days. Omar Abdullah’s tenure as Chief Minister lasted six years and three days, from January 5, 2009, to January 8, 2015. Ghulam Mohammad Shah had the shortest tenure, serving from July 2, 1984, to March 6, 1986, totaling one year and 247 days.

Jammu and Kashmir Governance System

1. At India’s independence in August 1947, Jammu and Kashmir was one of 565 princely states required to choose between joining India or Pakistan.
2. Maharaja Hari Singh, ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, initially chose not to join either country, suggesting a temporary arrangement to maintain the status quo.
3. In October 1947, armed groups from Pakistan invaded Jammu and Kashmir, causing violence and unrest.
4. Facing the invasion, Maharaja Hari Singh sought military assistance from India.
5. On October 24, 1947, Sheikh Abdullah was sent to Delhi to request help from the Indian government.
6. On October 26, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, agreeing to join India under certain conditions.
7. The Instrument granted India control over Jammu and Kashmir’s defense, foreign affairs, and communications.
8. Lord Mountbatten, then Governor-General of India, accepted the accession on October 27, 1947.
9. Indian troops were airlifted into Jammu and Kashmir to repel the invading forces, stabilizing the region.