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List of Chief Ministers of Kerala From 1957-2025, Important Facts

Chief Ministers of Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan is the current chief minister of Kerala. Read the article for the full list of chief ministers of Kerala from 1957-2025 along with some important facts.
authorImageParul Rishi19 Aug, 2025
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Chief Ministers of Kerala

Chief Ministers of Kerala have been really important in shaping how things are in the state. From the very first Chief Minister, E. M. S. Namboodiripad, who brought in the first elected government, to leaders like K. Karunakaran, A. K. Antony, and Oommen Chandy, each one has made a big impact on Kerala's growth.

They've all had different ideas and ways of doing things, but they've all cared about making Kerala better for its people. Despite facing challenges, they've helped Kerala move forward and become what it is today, with its unique culture and way of life.

List of Chief Ministers of Kerala

Article 164 of the Indian Constitution talks about how the Governor chooses the Chief Minister and other Ministers in a state. Even though the Governor is the formal head of the state, the Chief Minister is the one who actually runs the government. After India got independence from Britain in 1947, the rulers of Travancore and Cochin set up a government with a Prime Minister and a group of Ministers.

Then, on July 1, 1949, Travancore and Cochin joined together to become Travancore-Cochin. Before that, the Malabar District and Kasaragod area were part of the Madras Legislative Assembly. On November 1, 1956, because of the States Reorganisation Act, Kerala was formed by bringing together Cochin, Malabar, and Travancore, plus the Kasaragod area. Since then, twelve different people have been the Chief Minister of Kerala.

List of Chief Ministers of Kerala From 1957-2025

Candidates can check the complete list of chief ministers of Kerala from 1957 to 2025 from the below table:-

List of Chief Ministers of Kerala From 1957-2025

S.No Chief Minister From To
1 Pinarayi Vijayan 20 May 2021 Present
2 Pinarayi Vijayan 25 May 2016 19 May 2021
3 Oommen Chandy 18 May 2011 20 May 2016
4 V. S. Achuthanandan 18 May 2006 14 May 2011
5 Oommen Chandy 31 Aug 2004 12 May 2006
6 A. K. Antony 17 May 2001 29 Aug 2004
7 E. K. Nayanar 20 May 1996 13 May 2001
8 A. K. Antony 22 Mar 1995 09 May 1996
9 K. Karunakaran 24 Jun 1991 16 Mar 1995
10 E. K. Nayanar 26 Mar 1987 17 Jun 1991
11 K. Karunakaran 24 May 1982 25 Mar 1987
12 President’s rule 17 Mar 1982 23 May 1982
13 K. Karunakaran 28 Dec 1981 17 Mar 1982
14 President’s rule 21 Oct 1981 28 Dec 1981
15 E. K. Nayanar 25 Jan 1980 20 Oct 1981
16 President’s rule 05 Dec 1979 25 Jan 1980
17 C. H. Mohammed Koya 12 Oct 1979 01 Dec 1979
18 P. K. Vasudevan Nair 29 Oct 1978 07 Oct 1979
19 A. K. Antony 27 Apr 1977 27 Oct 1978
20 K. Karunakaran 25 Mar 1977 25 Apr 1977
21 C. Achutha Menon 04 Oct 1970 25 Mar 1977
22 President’s rule 04 Aug 1970 03 Oct 1970
23 C. Achutha Menon 01 Nov 1969 01 Aug 1970
24 E. M. S. Namboodiripad 06 Mar 1967 01 Nov 1969
25 President’s rule 25 Mar 1965 06 Mar 1967
26 President’s rule 10 Sep 1964 25 Mar 1965
27 R. Sankar 26 Sep 1962 10 Sep 1964
28 Pattom A. Thanu Pillai 22 Feb 1960 26 Sep 1962
29 President’s rule 31 Jul 1959 22 Feb 1960
30 E. M. S. Namboodiripad 05 Apr 1957 31 Jul 1959
31 President’s rule 01 Nov 1956 05 Apr 1957

First Chief Minister of Kerala

The first Chief Minister of Kerala was E. M. S. Namboodiripad. He served as the Chief Minister from March 6, 1967, to November 1, 1969. E. M. S. Namboodiripad was a prominent leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and played a crucial role in forming the first democratically elected government in Kerala after its formation as a separate state in 1956. His tenure marked a significant chapter in Kerala's political history.

Current Chief Minister of Kerala

Pinarayi Vijayan has been Kerala's Chief Minister since May 25, 2016. He was born on March 21, 1944, in Pinarayi, Kannur district. After finishing school, he studied at Government Brennen College in Thalassery, where he also started his political journey through student activities. He joined the Communist Party in 1964 and was detained during the emergency in 1975-77. He served as Kerala’s Power Minister from 1996 to 1998 and led the CPI (M) Kerala State Committee from 1998 to 2015. He is married to Kamala and has two children. He was elected to Kerala Assembly multiple times from Koothuparamba and Payyannur constituencies.

First Dalit Chief Minister of Kerala

Sankar was a special leader in Kerala because he was the first Dalit Chief Minister. He came from the Pulaya community, which has faced a lot of discrimination over the years. When he became Chief Minister in 1962, it was a really important moment for him and for Kerala. While he was in charge, Sankar worked hard to make life better for people who were often left out, like the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He started programs to help them get better education, healthcare, and more chances to succeed. One big thing he did was create the Kerala Scheduled Castes Development Corporation (KSCDC) to give these communities financial help and other support to improve their lives. Sankar's focus on fairness and giving everyone a fair shot at success is still remembered in Kerala today.

First Muslim Chief Minister of Kerala

When H. Mohammed Koya became the first Muslim Chief Minister of Kerala, it was a big deal for the state. He was well-respected in the Indian Union Muslim League and known for standing up for the rights of minorities and fairness for everyone. Even though he was Chief Minister for only a short time, Koya worked hard to tackle important problems and make policies that helped everyone. He believed in bringing people together and solving issues pragmatically. Even though his time in office was short, Koya's legacy lives on as an example for future leaders. His appointment showed Kerala's commitment to having leaders from different backgrounds, and it opened doors for more Muslim leaders to be involved in the state's politics.

Chief Ministers of Kerala Important Facts

  • Pinarayi Vijayan was honored with the Gandhidarshan Award for Best Chief Minister in 2018.
  • The Institute of Human Virology in Baltimore, Maryland, acknowledged Pinarayi Vijayan for his effective management of the 2018 Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala.
  • M. S. Namboodiripad held the distinction of being Kerala's inaugural chief minister.
  • K. Nayanar holds the record for the longest tenure as Kerala's chief minister, having served for a total of 10 years and 353 days.
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Chief Ministers of Kerala FAQs

Q1. Who was the first Chief Minister of Kerala?

Ans. E. M. S. Namboodiripad was the first Chief Minister of Kerala, serving from March 6, 1967, to November 1, 1969.

Q2. Who is the current Chief Minister of Kerala?

Ans. As of May 20, 2021, Pinarayi Vijayan is the Chief Minister of Kerala.

Q3. Who has served the longest term as Chief Minister of Kerala?

Ans. E. K. Nayanar holds the record for the longest tenure, serving as Chief Minister of Kerala for a total of 4 non-consecutive terms.

Q4. How many times has Pinarayi Vijayan been the Chief Minister of Kerala?

Ans. Pinarayi Vijayan has served as the Chief Minister of Kerala twice.

Q5. Who served as the Chief Minister before Pinarayi Vijayan's first term?

Ans. Oommen Chandy served as the Chief Minister of Kerala before Pinarayi Vijayan's first term, from May 18, 2011, to May 25, 2016.
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