Punjab, the 20th largest state in India by land area, has its capital in Chandigarh, a Union Territory that also serves as the capital of neighboring Haryana. The Chief Minister of Punjab serves as the executive head of the state government and plays an important role in policy-making and administration. As the leader of the state, the Chief Minister of Punjab is responsible for overseeing government affairs, making key decisions related to development, and ensuring effective governance throughout Punjab.
Chief Ministers of Punjab
Since India’s independence, Punjab has experienced a dynamic political journey shaped by influential Chief Ministers. Gopi Chand Bhargava became the First Chief Minister of Punjab in 1947. Over the decades, the state has been governed by leaders from major political parties such as the Indian National Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Notable among them is Parkash Singh Badal, who served multiple terms and significantly influenced the state’s political landscape. Bhagwant Mann, the Current Chief Minister of Punjab, represents the AAP. These leaders have played major roles in shaping Punjab’s policies, economy, and agricultural reforms.
List of Chief Ministers of Punjab from 1947-2025
Punjab’s politics have been shaped by three main parties, Indian National Congress (INC), the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), andthe Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Over the years, the state has faced political shifts and instability, leading to President’s Rule being imposed eight times. Below is the List of Chief Ministers of Punjab from 1947 to 2025 and their respective tenures and political parties.
List of Chief Ministers of Punjab from 1947-2025 | ||||
S.No. | Chief Minister | Tenure | Party | |
1. | Gopi Chand Bhargava | 15 August 1947-13 April 1949 | Indian National Congress | MLC |
2. | Bhim Sen Sachar | 13 April 1949-18 October 1949 | Indian National Congress | Ludhiana South |
(1) | Gopi Chand Bhargava | 18 October 1949- 20 June 1951 | Indian National Congress | |
President’s Rule | 20 June 1951- 17 April 1952 | |||
(2) | Bhim Sen Sachar | 17 April 1952- 23 January 1956 | Indian National Congress | |
3. | Partap Singh Kairon | 23 January 1956- 21 June 1964 | Indian National Congress | Sujanpur |
(1) | Gopi Chand Bhargava | 21 June 1964- 6 July 1964 | Indian National Congress | |
4. | Ram Kishan | 7 July 1964- 5 July 1966 | Indian National Congress | Jalandhar North East |
President’s Rule | 5 July 1966- 1 November 1966 | |||
5. | Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir | 1 November 1966- 8 March 1967 | Indian National Congress | MLC |
6. | Gurnam Singh | 8 March 1967- 25 November 1967 | Akali Dal – Sant Fateh Singh (BJS-CPI) | Qila Raipur |
7. | Lachhman Singh Gill | 25 November 1967- 23 August 1968 | Punjab Janta Party (INC) | Dharamkot |
President’s Rule | 23 August 1968- 17 February 1969 | |||
(6) | Gurnam Singh | 17 February 1969- 27 March 1970 | SAD-BJS | |
8. | Parkash Singh Badal | 27 March 1970- 14 June 1971 | Shiromani Akali Dal (BJS) | Gidderbaha |
President’s Rule | 14 June 1971- 17 March 1972 | |||
9. | Zail Singh | 17 March 1972- 30 April 1977 | Indian National Congress | Anandpur Sahib |
President’s Rule | 30 April 1977- 20 June 1977 | |||
(8) | Parkash Singh Badal | 20 June 1977- 17 February 1980 | Shiromani Akali Dal (JP-CPI) | |
President’s Rule | 17 February 1980- 6 June 1980 | |||
10. | Darbara Singh | 6 June 1980- 6 Octo0ber 1983 | Indian National Congress | Nakodar |
President’s Rule | 6 Octo0ber 1983- 29 September 1985 | |||
11. | Surjit Singh Barnala | 29 September 1985- 11 June 1987 | Shiromani Akali Dal | Barnala |
President’s Rule | 11 June 1987- 25 February 1992 | |||
12. | Beant Singh | 25 February 1992- 31 August 1995 | Indian National Congress | Jalandhar Cantonment |
13. | Harcharan Singh Brar | 31 August 1995- 21 November 1996 | Indian National Congress | Muktstar |
14. | Rajinder Kaur Bhattal | 21 November 1996- 11 February 1997 | Indian National Congress | Lehra |
(8) | Parkash Singh Badal | 12 February 1997- 26 February 2002 | Shiromani Akali Dal (BJP) | |
15. | Amarinder Singh | 26 February 2002- 1 March 2007 | Indian National Congress | Patila Urban |
(8) | Parkash Singh Badal | 1 March 2007- 16 March 2017 | Shiromani Akali Dal (BJP) | |
(15) | Amarinder Singh | 16 March 2017-18 September 2021 | Indian National Congress | |
16. | Charanjit Singh Channi | 20 September 2021- 16 March 2022 | Indian National Congress | Chamkaur Sahib |
17. | Bhagwant Mann | 16 March 2022 – Incumbent | Aam Aadmi Party | Dhuri |
Also Read: Chief Ministers of Manipur
Current Chief Minister of Punjab
Bhagwant Singh Mann is an Indian politician, social worker, former comedian, singer, and actor who has been serving as the Current Chief Minister of Punjab since 2022. Mann began his political career in 2011 by joining the People’s Party of Punjab and contested the assembly elections in the Lehra constituency, though unsuccessfully. In March 2014, he joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and contested the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency elections. He currently represents the Dhuri Assembly constituency in the Punjab Legislative Assembly, having taken office as Chief Minister in 2022.
First Chief Minister of Punjab
The First Chief Minister of Punjab was Gopi Chand Bhargava, who served from 1947 to 1949 and again in 1951-1952. A senior leader of the Indian National Congress, he played a crucial role in the early years after India’s independence, overseeing the rebuilding of Punjab post-Partition and managing the resettlement of refugees. His leadership helped lay the foundation for the state’s political and administrative systems during a challenging period in Indian history.
Longest-Serving Chief Minister of Punjab
Parkash Singh Badal, an Indian politician and prominent Sikh rights activist, served as the eighth Chief Minister of Punjab and holds the record as the Longest Serving Chief Minister in Punjab. His terms in office spanned across four different periods: 1970 to 1971, 1977 to 1980, 1997 to 2002, and 2007 to 2017. During his final term from 2012 to 2017, he handled multiple significant portfolios, including Personnel, General Administration, Power, Cooperation, Science and Technology, Environment, Vigilance, and Employment Generation, showcasing his wide-ranging influence and leadership in the state’s governance.
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