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List of Chief Ministers of Bihar From 1946-2025, Important Facts

Chief Ministers of Bihar: Nitish Kumar is the current chief minister of Bihar. Read the full list of chief ministers of Bihar from 1946 to 2025 from the below table and also other important facts and information.
authorImageParul Rishi19 Aug, 2025
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Chief Ministers of Bihar

Chief Ministers of Bihar: In Bihar, the Chief Minister is like the top leader, even though technically the Governor is in charge according to the Constitution of India. After elections to the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the Governor usually asks the party or group with the most seats to form the government. Then, the Governor chooses the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister and their team of ministers work together and answer to the assembly. As long as they have the assembly's support, the Chief Minister can stay in power for five years with no limit on re-elections.

Since 1946, Bihar has had 23 Chief Ministers. The current one is Nitish Kumar, who has been in office since February 22, 2015. Sri Krishna Sinha had the longest continuous term as Chief Minister, while Nitish Kumar holds the record for being the longest-serving Chief Minister.

 

Also Read: Chief Ministers of Kerala

List of Chief Ministers of Bihar 

In 2020, there were big changes in Bihar's politics. Nitish Kumar became Chief Minister for the eighth time on August 10, 2020, after his party won the Legislative Assembly elections. Tejashwi Yadav from the Rashtriya Janata Dal became the Deputy Chief Minister in a government formed by a coalition of the Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal. In the 2020 Bihar Assembly Elections, the NDA, led by the BJP, won 125 seats, while the Grand Alliance got 110 seats out of 243. Even though the Governor is technically the head of the state according to the Constitution of India, the Chief Minister holds the real power.

List of Chief Ministers of Bihar From 1946 to 2025

Candidates can check out the list of chief ministers of Bihar from 1946 to 2025 from the below table:-

List of Chief Ministers of Bihar From 1946 to 2025

Name of the Chief Minister From To Name of the Party
Nitish Kumar 22 Feb 2015 Incumbent JD(U)
Jitan Ram Manjhi 20 May 2014 22 Feb 2015 JD(U)
Nitish Kumar 24 Nov 2005 19 May 2014 JD(U)
President’s rule 7 Mar 2005 24 Nov 2005 -
Rabri Devi 11 Mar 2000 6 Mar 2005 RJD
Nitish Kumar 3 Mar 2000 10 Mar 2000 JD(U)
Rabri Devi 9 Mar 1999 2 Mar 2000 RJD
President’s rule 11 Feb 1999 9 Mar 1999 -
Rabri Devi 25 Jul 1997 11 Feb 1999 RJD
Lalu Prasad Yadav 4 Apr 1995 25 Jul 1997 JD, RJD
President’s rule 28 Mar 1995 4 Apr 1995 -
Lalu Prasad Yadav 10 Mar 1990 28 Mar 1995 JD
Jagannath Mishra 6 Dec 1989 10 Mar 1990 INC (I)
Satyendra Narayan Sinha 11 Mar 1989 6 Dec 1989 INC (I)
Bhagwat Jha Azad 14 Feb 1988 10 Mar 1989 INC (I)
Bindeshwari Dubey 12 Mar 1985 13 Feb 1988 INC (I)
Chandrashekhar Singh 14 Aug 1983 12 Mar 1985 INC (I)
Jagannath Mishra 8 Jun 1980 14 Aug 1983 INC (I)
President’s rule 17 Feb 1980 8 Jun 1980 -
Ram Sundar Das 21 Apr 1979 17 Feb 1980 JNP
Karpoori Thakur 24 Jun 1977 21 Apr 1979 JNP
President’s rule 30 Apr 1977 24 Jun 1977 -
Jagannath Mishra 11 Apr 1975 30 Apr 1977 INC
Abdul Ghafoor 2 Jul 1973 11 Apr 1975 INC
Kedar Pandey 19 Mar 1972 2 Jul 1973 INC
President’s rule 9 Jan 1972 19 Mar 1972 -
Bhola Paswan Shastri 2 Jun 1971 9 Jan 1972 INC
Karpoori Thakur 22 Dec 1970 2 Jun 1971 Socialist Party
Daroga Prasad Rai 16 Feb 1970 22 Dec 1970 INC
President’s rule 6 Jul 1969 16 Feb 1970 -
Bhola Paswan Shastri 22 Jun 1969 4 Jul 1969 INC (O)
Harihar Singh 26 Feb 1969 22 Jun 1969 INC
President’s rule 29 Jun 1968 26 Feb 1969 -
Bhola Paswan Shastri 22 Mar 1968 29 Jun 1968 INC (O)
B. P. Mandal 1 Feb 1968 2 Mar 1968 INC
Satish Prasad Singh 28 Jan 1968 1 Feb 1968 INC
Mahamaya Prasad Sinha 5 Mar 1967 28 Jan 1968 JKD
K. B. Sahay 2 Oct 1963 5 Mar 1967 INC
Binodanand Jha 18 Feb 1961 2 Oct 1963 INC
Deep Narayan Singh 1 Feb 1961 18 Feb 1961 INC
Krishna Singh 2 Apr 1946 31 Jan 1961 INC

First Chief Ministers of Bihar

The first Chief Minister of Bihar was Sri Krishna Sinha, who assumed office on August 2, 1947. A prominent leader in the Indian independence movement, Sinha played a important role in Bihar's political landscape. His tenure witnessed crucial reforms in education, agriculture, and social welfare. Following Sinha, the second Chief Minister was Anugrah Narayan Sinha, who held office from January 28, 1952, to February 17, 1957. He was an esteemed nationalist and a key architect of modern Bihar. Both leaders laid the foundation for Bihar's early development and set a precedent for future administrations in the state.

Also read: Chief Ministers of Karnataka 

Current Chief Ministers of Bihar 

Nitish Kumar is a well-known and experienced leader in Bihar politics, widely respected for his focus on development. As Chief Minister, he has improved education, healthcare, and infrastructure like roads and bridges, making life better for the people of Bihar. His efforts to reduce crime have made the state safer, and he has worked hard to support marginalized and poorer communities. Under his strong leadership, Bihar has seen significant progress and promising growth ahead.

Election Process of Chief Minister of Bihar

The Chief Minister of Bihar is chosen after state assembly elections when the party or coalition with the most seats forms the government. The Governor officially invites the leader of this majority to become Chief Minister. The Chief Minister serves a five-year term or until the assembly is dissolved. If they lose the assembly’s support, a new leader is chosen or fresh elections are held. This process ensures the Chief Minister truly represents the people's choice.

Chief Ministers of Bihar Important Fact 

  • Following Lalu Prasad Yadav's conviction in the Fodder Scam in 1997, his wife Rabri Devi assumed the role of Bihar's Chief Minister.
  • Over a span of about 15 years, Rabri Devi and Lalu Prasad Yadav collectively governed the state.
  • The 2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election took place from October 28, 2020, to November 7, 2020, to elect members of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
  • Since February 22, 2015, Nitish Kumar has held the position of Chief Minister.
  • On August 10, 2022, Nitish Kumar was once again sworn in, marking his eighth term in office.

Chief Ministers of Bihar FAQs

Q1. Who was the first Chief Minister of Bihar?

Ans. Sri Krishna Sinha was the first Chief Minister of Bihar, serving from 1946 to 1961.

Q2. Who is the current Chief Minister of Bihar?

Ans. Nitish Kumar is the current Chief Minister of Bihar.

Q3. How many terms has Nitish Kumar served as Chief Minister of Bihar?

Ans. Nitish Kumar has served as the Chief Minister of Bihar multiple times. He had served seven non-consecutive terms.

Q4. Who served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar alongside Nitish Kumar?

Ans. Sushil Kumar Modi served as the Deputy Chief Minister alongside Nitish Kumar.

Q5. What is the tenure of a Chief Minister in Bihar?

Ans. The tenure of a Chief Minister in Bihar, like in most Indian states, is five years. However, it can end earlier if the Legislative Assembly is dissolved or if the Chief Minister resigns or loses a vote of confidence.
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