List of Chief Ministers of West Bengal from 1947 to 2025
Chief Ministers of West Bengal: Bengal has witnessed many chief ministers from 1947 to 2025. Candidates are advised to review the article below for the full list of Chief Ministers of West Bengal.
Parul Rishi11 Aug, 2025
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Chief Ministers of West Bengal: India comprises numerous states, among which West Bengal holds significant historical and strategic importance. When the British arrived in India, they prioritized the capture of Bengal due to its important role.
Over time, Bengal has witnessed commendable development, largely attributed to the dedicated efforts of its politicians. This article will look into the notable contributions of the Chief Ministers who have guided West Bengal towards progress and prosperity.List of Chief Ministers of West Bengal
The list of chief ministers of West Bengal comprises leaders such as Mamata Banerjee, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, Jyoti Basu, Siddharta Shankar Ray, Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee, Prafulla Chandra Ghosh, and more. Possessing the de facto executive authority, the Chief Minister plays a crucial role in upholding and implementing state laws. According to Article 164 of the Indian Constitution, it is the Governor's responsibility to appoint the Chief Minister of West Bengal. Following the partition of India in 1947, Bengal was bifurcated into East Bengal (a province of Pakistan) and West Bengal (an Indian state). Since that West Bengal has witnessed the leadership of eight distinguished Chief Ministers. Here, we present the comprehensive West Bengal CM list, featuring the names of all former leaders who have leaded the state.List of Chief Ministers of West Bengal From 1947 to 2025
Candidates can go through the list of chief ministers of West Bengal from 1947 to 2025 from the below table:|
List of Chief Ministers of West Bengal From 1947 to 2025 |
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| SL.No | West Bengal CM | Tenure | Party |
| 1 | Bidhan Chandra Roy | 26 January 1950 - 1 July 1962 | Indian National Congress (INC) |
| 2 | Prafulla Chandra Sen | 9 July 1962 - 28 February 1967 | Indian National Congress (INC) |
| 3 | Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee | 1 March 1967 - 21 November 1967 | Bangla Congress (United Front) |
| 4 | Prafulla Chandra Ghosh | 21 November 1967 - 19 February 1968 | Independent (Progressive Democratic Front) |
| President's Rule | 20 February 1968 - 25 February 1969 | N/A | |
| 5 | Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee | 25 February 1969 - 16 March 1970 | Bangla Congress (United Front) |
| President's Rule | 19 March 1970 - 2 April 1971 | N/A | |
| 6 | Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee | 2 April 1971 - 28 June 1971 | Bangla Congress (Democratic Coalition) |
| President's Rule | 29 June 1971 - 20 March 1972 | N/A | |
| 7 | Siddhartha Shankar Ray | 20 March 1972 - 30 April 1977 | Indian National Congress (Progressive Democratic Alliance) |
| President's Rule | 30 April 1977 - 20 June 1977 | N/A | |
| 8 | Jyoti Basu | 21 June 1977 - 5 November 2000 | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| 9 | Buddhadeb Bhattacharya | 6 November 2000 - 13 May 2011 | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| 10 | Mamata Banerjee | 20 May 2011 - Present | All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) |
First Chief Minister of West Bengal
Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ghosh, the first Chief Minister of West Bengal, was a promising figure in India's politics. Born on 24th December 1891 in the small village of Malikanda, which is now in Bangladesh, he displayed exceptional aptitude in academics from an early age. Dr. Ghosh's dedication to education led him to become the first Indian to hold the position of ASA Master at the prestigious Calcutta Mint. Notably, he also earned a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Calcutta in 1920. Beyond his academic, Dr. Ghosh was an ardent participant in India's independence movement. His association with the Swadeshi Movement and his early involvement with the Indian National Congress reflected his deep commitment to the cause of freedom. Upon India's independence, he was entrusted with the responsibility of leading West Bengal through its initial phase as a state, leaving a lasting legacy as a visionary leader and a key contributor to the nascent state's growth and development.Current Chief Minister of West Bengal
The current chief minister of West Bengal is Mamata Banerjee. Notably, she made history as the first woman to hold this esteemed position in the state. Since 2011, Mamata Banerjee has been at the helm of affairs, representing the All India Trinamool Congress. Her electoral victories in 2011, 2016, and 2021 reaffirm her political stronghold, succeeding Buddhadeb Bhattacharya as the Chief Minister initially in 2011. While Mamata Banerjee's tenure in the Chief Minister's Office spans over 14 years, it is worth mentioning that Jyoti Basu holds the record for the lengthiest term, serving as CM for an impressive 23-year period.Longest Chief Minister of West Bengal
Jyoti Basu, an eminent figure in Indian politics, held the distinction of being the longest-serving Chief Minister of West Bengal. Born on 8th July 1914 in Calcutta, Basu emerged as a leader in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and played a important role in shaping the political history of the state. He was a visionary statesman who assumed office on 21st June 1977 and continued to lead West Bengal for an impressive 23 years until 5th November 2000. During his tenure, Basu focused on implementing policies that aimed at economic growth, social welfare, and agricultural development. His leadership left an mark on West Bengal's political and economic history. Beyond West Bengal, Jyoti Basu was a prominent figure in national politics and was considered a key decision-maker within the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He was known for his practical approach and ability to navigate complex political scenarios. Basu's influence extended beyond party lines, and leaders from various political ideologies respected him.Memorable Chief Ministers of West Bengal
Memorable Chief Ministers of West Bengal are as follows:1. Prafulla Chandra Ghosh (First Chief Minister)
- Born: 24 December 1891, Malikanda, Dhaka District (now in Bangladesh)
- Died: 18 December 1983
- Notable: First Chief Minister of West Bengal, academic achievements in chemistry, active in Swadeshi Movement and Indian freedom struggle.
2. Bidhan Chandra Roy (Second Chief Minister)
- Born: 1 July 1882, Bankipore, Patna
- Died: 1 July 1962
- Notable: Renowned physician, educationist, and politician, instrumental in establishing several key medical institutes, Chief Minister for 12 years.
3. Prafulla Chandra Sen (Third Chief Minister)
- Born: 10 April 1897, Senhati, Khulna District
- Died: 25 September 1990
- Notable: Active freedom fighter, staunch supporter of Indian National Congress, Chief Minister for 4 years, introduced several development measures.
4 . Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee (Fourth Chief Minister)
- Born: 15 April 1901, Tamluk
- Died: 27 May 1986
- Notable: Active in the independence movement, Chief Minister thrice, advocated for refugees' rights and was known for contributing to Bengali literature.
5. Siddhartha Shankar Ray (Fifth Chief Minister)
- Born: 20 October 1920, Calcutta
- Died: 6 November 2010
- Notable: Lawyer, diplomat, Chief Minister for 5 years, served as Ambassador to the United States, known for handling the refugee crisis.
6. Jyoti Basu (Longest-serving Chief Minister)
- Born: 8 July 1914, Calcutta
- Died: 17 January 2010
- Notable: Leading figure in the Communist Party, Chief Minister for a record 23 years, instrumental in West Bengal's political landscape.
7. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee (Seventh Chief Minister)
- Born: 1 March 1944, Calcutta
- Notable: Prominent Communist leader, Chief Minister for 10 years, focused on industrialization and development.
8. Mamata Banerjee (Current Chief Minister)
- Born: 5 January 1955, Calcutta
- Notable: First female Chief Minister of West Bengal, founder of All India Trinamool Congress, served in various central ministries.
Chief Ministers of West Bengal Important Facts
- Bidhan Chandra Roy, who served from 1948 to 1962, was the first Chief Minister of West Bengal.
- Jyoti Basu holds the record for the longest tenure, having served for 23 years from 1977 to 2000.
- Mamata Banerjee made history as the first woman to assume the role of Chief Minister in 2011, a position she continues to hold.
- The state has witnessed governance by various political parties, including INC, CPI(M), AITC, among others.
- West Bengal saw periods of direct governance by the Governor, known as President's Rule, in various instances.
- The partition of Bengal in 1947 led to the creation of East Bengal (now Bangladesh) and West Bengal, shaping the state's political landscape.
- The state's leadership has been diverse, ranging from Congress Bidhan Chandra Roy to Communist icon Jyoti Basu.
- Notable reforms in land and industry were introduced under the leadership of Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.
- Siddhartha Shankar Ray played a significant role during the Naxalite movement in the 1970s.
- Chief Ministers like Mamata Banerjee have implemented crucial schemes like Khadya Sathi and Kanyashree, impacting the socio-economic fabric of the state.
- The Chief Ministers of West Bengal have also played a vital role in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the region, supporting various forms of art, literature, and culture.
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Chief Ministers of West Bengal FAQs
Q1. Who was the first Chief Minister of West Bengal?
Ans. The first Chief Minister of West Bengal was Prafulla Chandra Ghosh.
Q2. Who was the longest-serving Chief Minister of West Bengal?
Ans. Jyoti Basu holds the record for being the longest-serving Chief Minister of West Bengal, serving for over 23 years.
Q3. Who was the first female Chief Minister of West Bengal?
Ans. Mamata Banerjee became the first female Chief Minister of West Bengal.
Q4. Who succeeded Prafulla Chandra Ghosh as Chief Minister?
Ans. Bidhan Chandra Roy succeeded Prafulla Chandra Ghosh as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
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