Kerala Chief Minister List (1947 to 2026) – Complete Timeline, Party Names, and Tenure Details

Last Updated on May 10, 2026 by Babusona Mondal

Kerala is one of India’s most politically active and educated states. Since its formation in 1956, the state has witnessed several powerful leaders serving as Chief Minister. From the first Chief Minister E. M. S. Namboodiripad to the current CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala politics has played an important role in Indian democracy.

In this article, you will get the complete Kerala Chief Minister List from 1947 to 2026, including party names, tenure periods, important political events, and historical facts. This SEO-friendly guide is useful for students, competitive exam preparation, and general knowledge readers.

Kerala Chief Minister List 1947 to 2026

Sl. No.	Chief Minister Name	Party	Tenure
1	E. M. S. Namboodiripad	CPI	5 April 1957 – 31 July 1959
2	President’s Rule	—	31 July 1959 – 22 February 1960
3	Pattom A. Thanu Pillai	PSP	22 February 1960 – 26 September 1962
4	R. Sankar	INC	26 September 1962 – 10 September 1964
5	President’s Rule	—	10 September 1964 – 6 March 1967
6	E. M. S. Namboodiripad	CPI(M)	6 March 1967 – 1 November 1969
7	C. Achutha Menon	CPI	1 November 1969 – 25 March 1977
8	K. Karunakaran	INC	25 March 1977 – 25 April 1977
9	A. K. Antony	INC	27 April 1977 – 27 October 1978
10	P. K. Vasudevan Nair	CPI	29 October 1978 – 7 October 1979
11	President’s Rule	—	12 October 1979 – 1 December 1979
12	C. H. Mohammed Koya	IUML	12 October 1979 – 1 December 1979
13	E. K. Nayanar	CPI(M)	25 January 1980 – 20 October 1981
14	President’s Rule	—	20 October 1981 – 28 December 1981
15	K. Karunakaran	INC	28 December 1981 – 17 March 1982
16	President’s Rule	—	17 March 1982 – 24 May 1982
17	K. Karunakaran	INC	24 May 1982 – 26 March 1987
18	E. K. Nayanar	CPI(M)	26 March 1987 – 24 June 1991
19	K. Karunakaran	INC	24 June 1991 – 16 March 1995
20	A. K. Antony	INC	22 March 1995 – 20 May 1996
21	E. K. Nayanar	CPI(M)	20 May 1996 – 17 May 2001
22	A. K. Antony	INC	17 May 2001 – 29 August 2004
23	Oommen Chandy	INC	31 August 2004 – 12 May 2006
24	V. S. Achuthanandan	CPI(M)	18 May 2006 – 14 May 2011
25	Oommen Chandy	INC	18 May 2011 – 25 May 2016
26	Pinarayi Vijayan	CPI(M)	25 May 2016 – Present (2026)

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First Chief Minister of Kerala

The first Chief Minister of Kerala was E. M. S. Namboodiripad. He became CM in 1957 and led the first democratically elected communist government in India.

His government introduced major land reforms and educational policies that changed Kerala’s social structure.

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Current Chief Minister of Kerala 2026

The current Chief Minister of Kerala in 2026 is Pinarayi Vijayan from the CPI(M) party. He first became Chief Minister in 2016 and continued after winning the 2021 Assembly Election.

His government focused on:

• Infrastructure development
• Digital governance
• Health sector improvement
• Social welfare schemes
• Disaster management

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Longest Serving Chief Minister of Kerala

K. Karunakaran is considered one of the longest-serving Chief Ministers of Kerala. He served multiple terms and played a major role in Congress politics in the state.

Another influential leader was E. K. Nayanar, who served three terms as Chief Minister.

Kerala Chief Minister List PDF Download

Readers can also check the official Kerala Government portal for updated political and administrative information.

Government of Kerala Official Website

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Conclusion

The history of Kerala Chief Ministers reflects the democratic strength and political awareness of the state. From E. M. S. Namboodiripad to Pinarayi Vijayan, every leader contributed to Kerala’s growth in different ways.

This Kerala Chief Minister List 1947 to 2026 helps readers understand the political journey of the state, major leaders, and their contributions. The article is also useful for competitive exams, current affairs preparation, and general knowledge.