List Of Top 10 Longest-Serving Chief Ministers In India As Of 2025: Naveen Patnaik, Nitish Kumar And Others

List Of Longest Serving Chief Ministers In India:  India’s political history holds several political leaders, yet only a few have stayed influential over decades while winning people’s faith. Chief Ministers are one of the significant positions of any state in India. Over time, many chief ministers have influenced the growth and advancement of their states. Names such as Naveen Patnaik, Pawan Kumar Chamling, Jyoti Basu and many others come to mind when talking about the longest serving Chief Ministers in India, whose ideas changed local politics by 2025.

In November 2025, Bihar once again gained attention when Nitish Kumar was all set to take the oath of office once again on November 20, 2025, after the Bihar Assembly Election. This was a major turning point in his lengthy political career. He did significant reforms in fields like education, health, road infrastructure, women's empowerment, rural welfare, and industrial growth have been made possible by these leaders. Their sustained support also demonstrates the level of public support for their work.

List Of Longest Serving Chief Ministers In India As of 2025

Here is a detailed look at India’s top 10 longest-serving Chief Ministers, their achievements, years in office, and how their leadership shaped their states.

1. Pawan Kumar Chamling – Sikkim (24 Years)

Pawan Kumar Chamling is known as India's longest-serving chief minister, holding the position for consecutive five terms from December 12, 1994, to May 26, 2019. His greatest accomplishments include making Sikkim the first state in India to be entirely organic, enhancing education, increasing tourism and encouraging environmentally friendly growth. Sikkim became one of the cleanest and most tranquil states in India under his direction.

Pawan Kumar Chamling (1st pic), Naveen Patnaik (2nd pic) (Image: ANI)

2. Naveen Patnaik – Odisha (24 Years)

Naveen Patnaik also served Odisha for five consecutive terms from March 5, 2000, to June 12, 2024. His welfare programs and clean governance won him a great deal of public trust. The Mission Shakti women's empowerment program, better disaster management, rural road construction and changing Odisha's reputation internationally are some of its most significant accomplishments. His leadership is commended for its people-centred policies and low level of corruption.

3. Jyoti Basu – West Bengal (23 Years)

Jyoti Basu was the Left Front's longest-serving chief minister, holding office for five regular terms from June 21, 1977, to November 5, 2000. He strengthened worker rights, increased rural development and implemented significant land reforms under "Operation Barga." West Bengal became a powerful political centre during his time thanks to his leadership.

Jyoti Basu (1st pic), Gegong Apang (2nd pic) (Image: Wikipedia and Facebook)

4. Gegong Apang – Arunachal Pradesh (22 Years)

Arunachal Pradesh’s ex-chief minister, Gegong Apang, held office for two terms from January 18, 1980, to January 19, 1999, and from August 3, 2003, to April 9, 2007. In the hilly areas, he concentrated on integrating isolated tribal areas, enhancing connectivity, and extending essential services like healthcare and education.

ALSO READ: Complete List Of Bihar Chief Ministers With Their Tenure From 1947 To 2025: Shri Krishna Sinha To Nitish Kumar And Others

5. Lal Thanhawla – Mizoram (22 Years)

Lal Thanhawla, who served three terms (1984–1986, 1998 and 2008–2018), was instrumental in preserving peace and stability following the Mizoram insurgency. During his administration, social welfare programs, rural development and road networks were strengthened.

Lal Thanhawla (1st pic), Virbhadra Singh (2nd pic) (Image: X and ANI)

6. Virbhadra Singh – Himachal Pradesh (21 Years)

Virbhadra Singh, the former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, held four terms from 1983 to 2017, and worked to increase tourism, construct hospitals and schools and widen roads. He is credited with modernising Himachal and enhancing job prospects in the hilly areas.

7. Manik Sarkar – Tripura (19 Years)

Manik Sarkar, who is called India's "cleanest and simplest CM", continuously served from March 11, 1998, to March 9, 2018, and was the country's longest chief minister. He improved Tripura's infrastructure and literacy while bolstering education, rural development, and law and order.

Manik Sarkar (1st pic), Nitish Kumar (2nd pic) (Image: ANI)

8. Nitish Kumar – Bihar (19 Years)

Nitish was first elected as CM in the year 2000, but it was a very short term (from 3 March to 11 March). Later, he regained his position from 24 November 2005 to 20 May 2014 and then from 2 feb 2015 to present. Between May 2014 to 2 feb 2015, Jeetan Ram Manjhi was made CM due to some political tensions. His major accomplishments include better roads, electricity, law and order, and women's empowerment through reservations and education. He is widely recognised for changing Bihar's perception from one of backwardness to one of development.

ALSO READ: Complete List Of Delhi's CMs (1950 To 2025) And Their Contributions InThe  Development Of The Capital City

9. M. Karunanidhi – Tamil Nadu (18 Years)

Muthuvel Karunanidhi, also referred to as "Kalaignar," served Tamil Nadu for five terms between 1969 and 2011. brought significant changes in the fields of industrial development, social welfare, education and language promotion. Under his direction, Dravidian politics were strengthened and Tamil Nadu was modernised. He is still known as one of the most important politicians in India.

Muthuvel Karunanidhi (1st pic), Parkash Singh Badal (2nd pic) (Image: Wikipedia & ANI)

10. Parkash Singh Badal – Punjab (18 Years)

Parkash Singh served Punjab during each of his five terms. Social programs, rural development, and farmer welfare were Badal's main concerns. Punjab's infrastructure, power supply, and village connectivity all improved under his leadership. He has a long life and is regarded as one of the tallest Sikh political leaders.