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List of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Important Facts

Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir: The list of Chief Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir consists of various personalities till 2025. Scroll down for the list of Chief Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir.
authorImageParul Rishi12 Aug, 2025
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Chief Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir

Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu & Kashmir is a really special part of India, often called the "crown of India." It has a rich history with many important leaders who served as Chief Minister. These leaders have made a big impact on the region's politics and society, from Sheikh Abdullah to the changes in 2019. Each Chief Minister's time in office tells a story of how Jammu & Kashmir has been governed, showing the ups and downs and different views that have shaped this beautiful place.

Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister used to be the top leader in charge of running the state, even though technically, the Lieutenant Governor was the official head according to India's Constitution. After elections, the Lieutenant Governor usually asked the party or group with the most seats in the Legislative Assembly to form the government, and then they picked the Chief Minister. This role was created after changes to the state's constitution in 1965 when the title of Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir was abolished. Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq became the first Chief Minister. Since June 20, 2018, there hasn't been a Chief Minister. The state was under the governor's rule until December 19, 2018, and then under the president's rule until October 30, 2019. After Jammu and Kashmir became a Union territory, the Lieutenant Governor took over as the top leader until a new Chief Minister is chosen after the next elections.

List of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir

The list of Chief Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir tells us about the important leaders who have been in charge of running the northernmost part of India over the years. From 1948 until the big changes in 2019, these leaders have had a big impact on how the state is run and how it's developed. Each Chief Minister's time in office shows the ups and downs and different problems faced by the region.
List of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir
Sl. No. PM Name Tenure
1 Mehr Chand Mahajan (INC) 15 Oct 1947 - 5 Mar 1948
2 Sheikh Abdullah (NC) 5 Mar 1948 - 9 Aug 1953
3 Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad (NC) 9 Aug 1953 - 12 Oct 1963
4 Khwaja Shamsuddin (NC) 12 Oct 1963 - 29 Feb 1964
5 Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq (INC) 29 Feb 1964 - 30 Mar 1965
6 Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq (INC) 30 Mar 1965 - 12 Dec 1971
7 Syed Mir Qasim (INC) 12 Dec 1971 - 25 Feb 1975
8 Sheikh Abdullah (NC) 25 Feb 1975 - 26 Mar 1977
(Governor's rule) 26 Mar 1977 - 9 Jul 1977
9 Sheikh Abdullah (NC) 9 Jul 1977 - 8 Sep 1982
10 Farooq Abdullah (NC) 8 Sep 1982 - 2 Jul 1984
11 Ghulam Mohammad Shah (ANC) 2 Jul 1984 - 6 Mar 1986
(Governor's rule) 6 Mar 1986 - 7 Nov 1986
12 Farooq Abdullah (NC) 7 Nov 1986 - 19 Jan 1990
(Governor's rule) 19 Jan 1990 - 9 Oct 1996
13 Farooq Abdullah (NC) 9 Oct 1996 - 18 Oct 2002
(Governor's rule) 18 Oct 2002 - 2 Nov 2002
14 Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (PDP with INC) 2 Nov 2002 - 2 Nov 2005
15 Ghulam Nabi Azad (INC with PDP) 2 Nov 2005 - 11 Jul 2008
(Governor's rule) 11 Jul 2008 - 5 Jan 2009
16 Omar Abdullah (NC with INC) 5 Jan 2009 - 8 Jan 2015
(Governor's rule) 8 Jan 2015 - 1 Mar 2015
17 Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (PDP with BJP) 1 Mar 2015 - 7 Jan 2016
(Governor's rule) 8 Jan 2015 - 8 Apr 2016
18 Mehbooba Mufti (PDP with BJP) 4 Apr 2016 - 2024
19  Omar Abdullah  8 Oct 2024- Present

Current Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir

The governance system in Jammu & Kashmir underwent a substantial transformation in August 2019 with the abrogation of Article 370. This important move led to the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. As a result, the position of Chief Minister was abolished, giving way to a new administrative structure. Under the current system, each Union Territory is governed by a Lieutenant Governor, who is appointed by the President of India. This individual serves as the highest authority in the administration of the respective territory.
The shift from the traditional Chief Minister-led system to one governed by a Lieutenant Governor is seen as a step towards greater integration of Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of India, streamlining administrative processes and decision-making.  The change has sparked various discussions and opinions, with proponents emphasizing its potential for development and stability, while critics raise concerns about its impact on the historical autonomy and unique identity of the region. This shift represents a significant reconfiguration of the politics, and its long-term implications for Jammu & Kashmir continue to be a subject of ongoing discussion.

First Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

Sheikh Abdullah, born on December 5, 1905, in Soura, Kashmir, emerged as an iconic figure in the political history of Jammu & Kashmir. He was a passionate advocate for the rights and welfare of the people of the region. Sheikh Abdullah's leadership was instrumental in the accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India in 1947, an important moment in the state's history. As the first Chief Minister, he dedicated himself to implementing progressive policies aimed at socio-economic upliftment. Land reforms, education initiatives, and measures to address poverty were among the key areas he focused on, leaving an indelible mark on the state's development. Sheikh Abdullah went through tough times in his political career, including being arrested, but he never stopped caring about his people. He started the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, which was really important for the state's politics. Abdullah's influence wasn't just limited to Jammu & Kashmir; people see him as a leader who worked hard to make things better for his homeland and had a big impact on Indian politics overall.

Longest Running Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

Sheikh Abdullah, known as the "Lion of Kashmir," was a big leader in Jammu & Kashmir's politics. He was born on December 5, 1905, in Soura, Kashmir, and cared a lot about helping the people in his region. In 1932, he started the Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference, which later became the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (NC), an important political party in the state. As the first Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir in 1948, after it joined India, Sheikh Abdullah worked hard to make things better for the people. He brought in new rules to help with land and education, aiming to improve life for everyone. Even when things got tough politically and he was arrested at times, he was still a symbol of hope for the people. Sheikh Abdullah's memory lives on in Jammu & Kashmir's history, and people see him as someone who really cared about making his homeland better. His contributions are remembered and respected all over India.

Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir Important Facts

  1. Sheikh Abdullah, the founder of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference party, served as the first Chief Minister from 1948 to 1963.
  2. Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad succeeded Sheikh Abdullah and served as Chief Minister, having previously held the position of Prime Minister of Jammu & Kashmir.
  3. Khwaja Shamsuddin held office as the third Chief Minister of the state.
  4. Kh. Mohammed Sadiq took over as Chief Minister after Khwaja Shamsuddin's tenure.
  5. Ghulam Mohammed Shah, Sheikh Abdullah's brother-in-law, formed the Awami National Conference party and served as Chief Minister from 1984 to 1986.
  6. Farooq Abdullah, the son of Sheikh Abdullah, had multiple non-consecutive terms as Chief Minister, spanning from 1982 to 1984, 1986 to 1990, 1996 to 2002, and 2009 to 2014.
  7. Ghulam Mohammed Shah returned to power in 1986 after a period of President's Rule.
  8. Due to political instability and insurgency, Jammu & Kashmir was under President's Rule from 1990 to 1996.
  9. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, founder of the Jammu & Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP), served as Chief Minister in a coalition government with the Indian National Congress from 2002 to 2005.
  10. Ghulam Nabi Azad succeeded Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and held office as Chief Minister from 2005 to 2008.
  11. Omar Abdullah, son of Farooq Abdullah, became Chief Minister from 2008 to 2014.
  12. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed returned for a second term as Chief Minister in a coalition government with the BJP from 2015 to 2016.
  13. Mehbooba Mufti, daughter of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, succeeded him as Chief Minister from 2016 to 2018.
  14. Following the collapse of the coalition government, Jammu & Kashmir was under President's Rule from 2018 to 2019.
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Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir FAQs

Q1. When was the position of Chief Minister introduced in Jammu & Kashmir?

Ans. The position of Chief Minister in Jammu & Kashmir was introduced when the state came into existence on October 26, 1947.

Q2. Who was the first Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir?

Ans. Sheikh Abdullah was the first Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir. He served from 1948 to 1963.

Q3. How is the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir appointed?

Ans. The Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir was appointed by the Governor of the state. However, after the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories in August 2019, the position of Chief Minister was abolished, and a Lieutenant Governor was appointed by the President of India.

Q4. Who are some prominent Chief Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir?

Ans. Some prominent Chief Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir include Sheikh Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and Mehbooba Mufti.

Q5. What are the powers and responsibilities of the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir?

Ans. The Chief Minister was the head of the government in Jammu & Kashmir and had the authority to make decisions on various matters related to the state.
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