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Chief Minister of Kerala

Updated: Wikipedia source

Chief Minister of Kerala

The Chief Minister of Kerala is the head of government of the Indian state of Kerala. As per the Constitution of India, the state's governor is the state's de jure head, and the de facto executive authority rests with the chief minister. Following elections to the Kerala Legislative Assembly, the governor usually invites the party (or coalition) with a majority of seats to form the government. The governor appoints the chief minister, whose council of ministers are collectively responsible to the assembly. Given that he has the confidence of the assembly, the chief minister's term is for five years and is subject to no term limits. Usually, the chief minister also serves as leader of the house in the legislative assembly. Following India's independence from the British Raj in 1947, the states' monarchs of Travancore (Thiruvithāmkōr) and Cochin (Kochi) instituted a measure of representative government, headed by a prime minister and his council of ministers. On 1 July 1949, Travancore and Cochin were merged to form Travancore-Cochin state. The Malabar and Kasaragod region of South Canara, which together constitute more than half of present state of Kerala, had their representatives in the Madras Legislative Assembly. On 1 November 1956, the States Reorganisation Act redrew India's map along linguistic lines, and the present-day state of Kerala was born, consisting of Malayalam-speaking regions, by merging the Malabar, and Kasaragod districts with Travancore-Cochin. The first assembly election in Kerala was held in February–March 1957, and the first Kerala Legislative Assembly was formed on 5 April 1957. The assembly had 127 members including a nominated member. E. M. S. Namboodiripad of the Communist Party of India, was the first chief minister, and his tenure was cut short by the imposition of President's rule. Since then, 12 people have served as the chief minister of Kerala. E. K. Nayanar held the office for 10 years and 353 days, and is the longest serving holder of the office. Karunakaran was sworn in as the chief minister four times. A. K. Antony was the youngest to hold the office at age of 36 years, and V. S. Achuthanandan was the oldest to be sworn in at the age of 82 years. The state has come under President's rule seven times, with the last of them occurring in 1982. Since the 1980s, the office of the chief minister has generally alternated between the leaders of the Indian National Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist). V. D. Satheesan is the current chief minister since 18 May 2026.

Infobox

Style
The Honourable
Type
Leader of the Executive
Status
Head of government
Abbreviation
CMoK
Member of
State Cabinet Legislative Assembly
Reports to
Governor of Kerala Kerala Legislative Assembly
Residence
Cliff House, Thiruvananthapuram
Seat
State Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram
Nominator
Members of the Kerala Legislative Assembly
Appointer
Governor of Kerala by convention, based on appointee's ability to command confidence in the Niyama Sabha
Term length
At the pleasure of the governor of Kerala Niyama Sabha term is 5 years unless dissolved sooner No term limits specified
Constituting instrument
Article 164 of the Constitution of India
Precursor
Prime Minister of Travancore Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cochin Chief Minister of Madras Chief Minister of Travancore-Cochin
Formation
5 April 1957 (1957-04-05)
First holder
E. M. S. Namboodiripad (1957–1959)
Deputy
Deputy Chief Minister of Kerala
Salary
₹185,000 (US$2,000)/monthly ₹2,220,000 (US$23,000)/annually
Website
keralacm

Tables

· Predecessors › Prime ministers of Travancore (1948–49)
Pattom A. Thanu Pillai
Pattom A. Thanu Pillai
No
1
Name
Pattom A. Thanu Pillai
Term of Office
24 March 1948
Term of Office
17 October 1948
Term of Office
210 days
Assembly
Representative Body (1948–49)
Appointed by (Monarch)
Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Party
Indian National Congress
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
No
2
Name
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
Term of Office
22 October 1948
Term of Office
1 July 1949
Term of Office
253 days
No
Portrait
Name
Term of Office
Assembly
Appointed by (Monarch)
Party
1
Pattom A. Thanu Pillai
24 March 1948
17 October 1948
210 days
Representative Body (1948–49)
Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Indian National Congress
2
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
22 October 1948
1 July 1949
253 days
· Predecessors › Prime ministers of Cochin (1947–49)
P. Govinda Menon
P. Govinda Menon
No
1
Name
P. Govinda Menon
Term of Office
14 August 1947
Term of Office
22 October 1947
Term of Office
51 days
Assembly
6th Council (1945–48)
Appointed by (Monarch)
Aikya Keralam Thampuran
Party
Independent
T. K. Nair
T. K. Nair
No
2
Name
T. K. Nair
Term of Office
27 October 1947
Term of Office
20 September 1948
Term of Office
334 days
E. Ikkanda Warrier
E. Ikkanda Warrier
No
3
Name
E. Ikkanda Warrier
Term of Office
20 September 1948
Term of Office
1 July 1949
Term of Office
284 days
Assembly
Legislative Assembly (1948–49)
No
Portrait
Name
Term of Office
Assembly
Appointed by (Monarch)
Party
1
P. Govinda Menon
14 August 1947
22 October 1947
51 days
6th Council (1945–48)
Aikya Keralam Thampuran
Independent
2
T. K. Nair
27 October 1947
20 September 1948
334 days
3
E. Ikkanda Warrier
20 September 1948
1 July 1949
284 days
Legislative Assembly (1948–49)
· Predecessors › Prime ministers of Travancore-Cochin (1949–50)
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
No
1
Name
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
Term of Office
1 July 1949
Term of Office
26 January 1950
Term of Office
209 days
Assembly
1st
Appointed by (Rajpramukh)
Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Party
Indian National Congress
No
Portrait
Name
Term of Office
Assembly
Appointed by (Rajpramukh)
Party
1
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
1 July 1949
26 January 1950
209 days
1st
Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Indian National Congress
· Predecessors › Chief ministers of Travancore-Cochin (1950–56)
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
No
1
Name
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
Term of Office
26 January 1950
Term of Office
28 February 1951
Term of Office
1 year, 33 days
Assembly
1st
Appointed by (Rajpramukh)
Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Party
Indian National Congress
C. Kesavan
C. Kesavan
No
2
Name
C. Kesavan
Term of Office
28 February 1951
Term of Office
12 March 1952
Term of Office
1 year, 13 days
A. J. John
A. J. John
No
3
Name
A. J. John
Term of Office
12 March 1952
Term of Office
16 March 1954
Term of Office
2 years, 4 days
Assembly
2nd (1951 election)
Pattom A. Thanu Pillai
Pattom A. Thanu Pillai
No
4
Name
Pattom A. Thanu Pillai
Term of Office
16 March 1954
Term of Office
10 February 1955
Term of Office
331 days
Assembly
3rd (1954 election)
Appointed by (Rajpramukh)
Praja Socialist Party
P. Govinda Menon
P. Govinda Menon
No
5
Name
P. Govinda Menon
Term of Office
10 February 1955
Term of Office
23 March 1956
Term of Office
1 year, 42 days
Assembly
Indian National Congress
Vacant (President's rule)
Vacant (President's rule)
No
–
Name
Vacant (President's rule)
Term of Office
23 March 1956
Term of Office
31 October 1956
Term of Office
222 days
Assembly
Dissolved
Appointed by (Rajpramukh)
N/A
No
Portrait
Name
Term of Office
Assembly
Appointed by (Rajpramukh)
Party
1
Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai
26 January 1950
28 February 1951
1 year, 33 days
1st
Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
Indian National Congress
2
C. Kesavan
28 February 1951
12 March 1952
1 year, 13 days
3
A. J. John
12 March 1952
16 March 1954
2 years, 4 days
2nd (1951 election)
4
Pattom A. Thanu Pillai
16 March 1954
10 February 1955
331 days
3rd (1954 election)
Praja Socialist Party
5
P. Govinda Menon
10 February 1955
23 March 1956
1 year, 42 days
Indian National Congress
–
Vacant (President's rule)
23 March 1956
31 October 1956
222 days
Dissolved
N/A
· List of chief ministers (1957–present)
Vacant (President's rule)
Vacant (President's rule)
Name
Vacant (President's rule)
Constituency
N/A
Tenure
1 November 1956
Tenure
5 April 1957
Tenure
155 days
Assembly (election)
Dissolved
Ministry
N/A
E. M. S. Namboodiripad
E. M. S. Namboodiripad
No
1
Name
E. M. S. Namboodiripad
Constituency
Nileshwaram
Tenure
5 April 1957
Tenure
31 July 1959
Tenure
2 years, 117 days
Assembly (election)
1st (1957 election)
Ministry
Namboodiripad I
Party
Communist Party of India
Vacant (President's rule)
Vacant (President's rule)
Name
Vacant (President's rule)
Constituency
N/A
Tenure
31 July 1959
Tenure
22 February 1960
Tenure
206 days
Assembly (election)
Dissolved
Ministry
N/A
P. A. Thanu Pillai
P. A. Thanu Pillai
No
2
Name
P. A. Thanu Pillai
Constituency
Thiruvananthapuram II
Tenure
22 February 1960
Tenure
26 September 1962
Tenure
2 years, 216 days
Assembly (election)
2nd (1960 election)
Ministry
Thanu Pillai
Party
Praja Socialist Party
R. Sankar
R. Sankar
No
3
Name
R. Sankar
Constituency
Kannur I
Tenure
26 September 1962
Tenure
10 September 1964
Tenure
1 year, 350 days
Assembly (election)
Sankar
Ministry
Indian National Congress
Vacant (President's rule)
Vacant (President's rule)
Name
Vacant (President's rule)
Constituency
N/A
Tenure
10 September 1964
Tenure
25 March 1965
Tenure
2 years, 177 days
Assembly (election)
Dissolved
Ministry
N/A
Dissolved (1965 election)
Dissolved (1965 election)
No
25 March 1965
Name
Dissolved (1965 election)
E. M. S. Namboodiripad
E. M. S. Namboodiripad
No
(1)
Name
E. M. S. Namboodiripad
Constituency
Pattambi
Tenure
6 March 1967
Tenure
1 November 1969
Tenure
2 years, 240 days
Assembly (election)
3rd (1967 election)
Ministry
Namboodiripad II
Party
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
C. Achutha Menon
C. Achutha Menon
No
4
Name
C. Achutha Menon
Constituency
Kottarakkara
Tenure
1 November 1969
Tenure
3 August 1970
Tenure
275 days
Assembly (election)
Achutha Menon I
Ministry
Communist Party of India
Vacant (President's rule)
Vacant (President's rule)
Name
Vacant (President's rule)
Constituency
N/A
Tenure
4 August 1970
Tenure
3 October 1970
Tenure
60 days
Assembly (election)
Dissolved
Ministry
N/A
C. Achutha Menon
C. Achutha Menon
No
(4)
Name
C. Achutha Menon
Constituency
Kodakara
Tenure
4 October 1970
Tenure
25 March 1977
Tenure
6 years, 172 days
Assembly (election)
4th (1970 election)
Ministry
Achutha Menon II
Party
Communist Party of India
K. Karunakaran
K. Karunakaran
No
5
Name
K. Karunakaran
Constituency
Mala
Tenure
25 March 1977
Tenure
27 April 1977
Tenure
33 days
Assembly (election)
5th (1977 election)
Ministry
Karunakaran I
Party
Indian National Congress
A. K. Antony
A. K. Antony
No
6
Name
A. K. Antony
Constituency
Kazhakootam
Tenure
27 April 1977
Tenure
29 October 1978
Tenure
1 year, 185 days
Assembly (election)
Antony I
P. K. Vasudevan Nair
P. K. Vasudevan Nair
No
7
Name
P. K. Vasudevan Nair
Constituency
Alappuzha
Tenure
29 October 1978
Tenure
12 October 1979
Tenure
348 days
Assembly (election)
Vasudevan Nair
Ministry
Communist Party of India
C. H. Mohammed Koya
C. H. Mohammed Koya
No
8
Name
C. H. Mohammed Koya
Constituency
Malappuram
Tenure
12 October 1979
Tenure
4 December 1979
Tenure
53 days
Assembly (election)
Koya
Ministry
Indian Union Muslim League
Vacant (President's rule)
Vacant (President's rule)
Name
Vacant (President's rule)
Constituency
N/A
Tenure
5 December 1979
Tenure
25 January 1980
Tenure
51 days
Assembly (election)
Dissolved
Ministry
N/A
E. K. Nayanar
E. K. Nayanar
No
9
Name
E. K. Nayanar
Constituency
Malampuzha
Tenure
25 January 1980
Tenure
20 October 1981
Tenure
1 year, 268 days
Assembly (election)
6th (1980 election)
Ministry
Nayanar I
Party
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Vacant (President's rule)
Vacant (President's rule)
Name
Vacant (President's rule)
Constituency
N/A
Tenure
21 October 1981
Tenure
28 December 1981
Tenure
68 days
Assembly (election)
N/A
K. Karunakaran
K. Karunakaran
No
(5)
Name
K. Karunakaran
Constituency
Mala
Tenure
28 December 1981
Tenure
17 March 1982
Tenure
79 days
Assembly (election)
Karunakaran II
Ministry
Indian National Congress
Vacant (President's rule)
Vacant (President's rule)
Name
Vacant (President's rule)
Constituency
N/A
Tenure
17 March 1982
Tenure
23 May 1982
Tenure
67 days
Assembly (election)
Dissolved
Ministry
N/A
K. Karunakaran
K. Karunakaran
No
(5)
Name
K. Karunakaran
Constituency
Mala
Tenure
24 May 1982
Tenure
26 March 1987
Tenure
4 years, 306 days
Assembly (election)
7th (1982 election)
Ministry
Karunakaran III
Party
Indian National Congress
E. K. Nayanar
E. K. Nayanar
No
(9)
Name
E. K. Nayanar
Constituency
Thrikaripur
Tenure
26 March 1987
Tenure
24 June 1991
Tenure
4 years, 90 days
Assembly (election)
8th (1987 election)
Ministry
Nayanar II
Party
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
K. Karunakaran
K. Karunakaran
No
(5)
Name
K. Karunakaran
Constituency
Mala
Tenure
24 June 1991
Tenure
22 March 1995
Tenure
3 years, 271 days
Assembly (election)
9th (1991 election)
Ministry
Karunakaran IV
Party
Indian National Congress
A. K. Antony
A. K. Antony
No
(6)
Name
A. K. Antony
Constituency
Tirurangadi
Tenure
22 March 1995
Tenure
20 May 1996
Tenure
1 year, 59 days
Assembly (election)
Antony II
E. K. Nayanar
E. K. Nayanar
No
(9)
Name
E. K. Nayanar
Constituency
Thalassery
Tenure
20 May 1996
Tenure
17 May 2001
Tenure
4 years, 362 days
Assembly (election)
10th (1996 election)
Ministry
Nayanar III
Party
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
A. K. Antony
A. K. Antony
No
(6)
Name
A. K. Antony
Constituency
Cherthala
Tenure
17 May 2001
Tenure
31 August 2004
Tenure
3 years, 106 days
Assembly (election)
11th (2001 election)
Ministry
Antony III
Party
Indian National Congress
Oommen Chandy
Oommen Chandy
No
10
Name
Oommen Chandy
Constituency
Puthuppally
Tenure
31 August 2004
Tenure
18 May 2006
Tenure
1 year, 260 days
Assembly (election)
Chandy I
V. S. Achuthanandan
V. S. Achuthanandan
No
11
Name
V. S. Achuthanandan
Constituency
Malampuzha
Tenure
18 May 2006
Tenure
18 May 2011
Tenure
5 years, 0 days
Assembly (election)
12th (2006 election)
Ministry
Achuthanandan
Party
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Oommen Chandy
Oommen Chandy
No
(10)
Name
Oommen Chandy
Constituency
Puthuppally
Tenure
18 May 2011
Tenure
25 May 2016
Tenure
5 years, 7 days
Assembly (election)
13th (2011 election)
Ministry
Chandy II
Party
Indian National Congress
Pinarayi Vijayan
Pinarayi Vijayan
No
12
Name
Pinarayi Vijayan
Constituency
Dharmadam
Tenure
25 May 2016
Tenure
19 May 2021
Tenure
9 years, 358 days
Assembly (election)
14th (2016 election)
Ministry
Pinarayi I
Party
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
15th (2021 election)
15th (2021 election)
No
20 May 2021
Name
15th (2021 election)
Constituency
Pinarayi II
V. D. Satheesan
V. D. Satheesan
No
13
Name
V. D. Satheesan
Constituency
Paravur
Tenure
18 May 2026
Tenure
Incumbent
Tenure
2 days
Assembly (election)
16th (2026 election)
Ministry
Satheesan
Party
Indian National Congress
No
Portrait
Name
Constituency
Tenure
Assembly (election)
Ministry
Party
Vacant (President's rule)
N/A
1 November 1956
5 April 1957
155 days
Dissolved
N/A
1
E. M. S. Namboodiripad
Nileshwaram
5 April 1957
31 July 1959
2 years, 117 days
1st (1957 election)
Namboodiripad I
Communist Party of India
Vacant (President's rule)
N/A
31 July 1959
22 February 1960
206 days
Dissolved
N/A
2
P. A. Thanu Pillai
Thiruvananthapuram II
22 February 1960
26 September 1962
2 years, 216 days
2nd (1960 election)
Thanu Pillai
Praja Socialist Party
3
R. Sankar
Kannur I
26 September 1962
10 September 1964
1 year, 350 days
Sankar
Indian National Congress
Vacant (President's rule)
N/A
10 September 1964
25 March 1965
2 years, 177 days
Dissolved
N/A
25 March 1965
6 March 1967
Dissolved (1965 election)
(1)
E. M. S. Namboodiripad
Pattambi
6 March 1967
1 November 1969
2 years, 240 days
3rd (1967 election)
Namboodiripad II
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
4
C. Achutha Menon
Kottarakkara
1 November 1969
3 August 1970
275 days
Achutha Menon I
Communist Party of India
Vacant (President's rule)
N/A
4 August 1970
3 October 1970
60 days
Dissolved
N/A
(4)
C. Achutha Menon
Kodakara
4 October 1970
25 March 1977
6 years, 172 days
4th (1970 election)
Achutha Menon II
Communist Party of India
5
K. Karunakaran
Mala
25 March 1977
27 April 1977
33 days
5th (1977 election)
Karunakaran I
Indian National Congress
6
A. K. Antony
Kazhakootam
27 April 1977
29 October 1978
1 year, 185 days
Antony I
7
P. K. Vasudevan Nair
Alappuzha
29 October 1978
12 October 1979
348 days
Vasudevan Nair
Communist Party of India
8
C. H. Mohammed Koya
Malappuram
12 October 1979
4 December 1979
53 days
Koya
Indian Union Muslim League
Vacant (President's rule)
N/A
5 December 1979
25 January 1980
51 days
Dissolved
N/A
9
E. K. Nayanar
Malampuzha
25 January 1980
20 October 1981
1 year, 268 days
6th (1980 election)
Nayanar I
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Vacant (President's rule)
N/A
21 October 1981
28 December 1981
68 days
N/A
(5)
K. Karunakaran
Mala
28 December 1981
17 March 1982
79 days
Karunakaran II
Indian National Congress
Vacant (President's rule)
N/A
17 March 1982
23 May 1982
67 days
Dissolved
N/A
(5)
K. Karunakaran
Mala
24 May 1982
26 March 1987
4 years, 306 days
7th (1982 election)
Karunakaran III
Indian National Congress
(9)
E. K. Nayanar
Thrikaripur
26 March 1987
24 June 1991
4 years, 90 days
8th (1987 election)
Nayanar II
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
(5)
K. Karunakaran
Mala
24 June 1991
22 March 1995
3 years, 271 days
9th (1991 election)
Karunakaran IV
Indian National Congress
(6)
A. K. Antony
Tirurangadi
22 March 1995
20 May 1996
1 year, 59 days
Antony II
(9)
E. K. Nayanar
Thalassery
20 May 1996
17 May 2001
4 years, 362 days
10th (1996 election)
Nayanar III
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
(6)
A. K. Antony
Cherthala
17 May 2001
31 August 2004
3 years, 106 days
11th (2001 election)
Antony III
Indian National Congress
10
Oommen Chandy
Puthuppally
31 August 2004
18 May 2006
1 year, 260 days
Chandy I
11
V. S. Achuthanandan
Malampuzha
18 May 2006
18 May 2011
5 years, 0 days
12th (2006 election)
Achuthanandan
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
(10)
Oommen Chandy
Puthuppally
18 May 2011
25 May 2016
5 years, 7 days
13th (2011 election)
Chandy II
Indian National Congress
12
Pinarayi Vijayan
Dharmadam
25 May 2016
19 May 2021
9 years, 358 days
14th (2016 election)
Pinarayi I
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
20 May 2021
18 May 2026
15th (2021 election)
Pinarayi II
13
V. D. Satheesan
Paravur
18 May 2026
Incumbent
2 days
16th (2026 election)
Satheesan
Indian National Congress

References

  1. A parenthetical number indicates that the incumbent has previously held office.
  2. President's rule may be imposed when the "government in a state is not able to function as per the Constitution", which
  3. Year in parentheses indicates life span
  4. This column only names the chief minister's party. The state government he heads may be a complex coalition of several p
  5. As the 1965 election did not deliver a clear mandate in favour of any party or coalition, no assembly was convened, and
  6. Constitution of India
    https://indiankanoon.org/doc/578636/
  7. Introduction to the Constitution of India
  8. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
    https://apuat21.cgg.gov.in/web/legislative-assembly/leader-of-the-house
  9. Kerala Charitram
    https://books.google.com/books?id=FAlXPgAACAAJ&q=%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%87%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B3+%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%82
  10. "A dummy's guide to President's rule"
    http://www.rediff.co.in/news/2005/mar/15spec1.htm
  11. The States Reorganisation Act, 1956
    https://legislative.gov.in/sites/default/files/A1956-37.pdf
  12. "Seventh Amendment, 1956"
    https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/constitution-india/amendments/constitution-india-seventh-amendment-act-1956
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