List of Chief Ministers of Bihar 1947-2025, Names, Tenure and Key Achievements

Discover the complete list of Chief Ministers of Bihar from 1947 to present, along with their tenure, political parties, and notable contributions in the state’s development.

List of Chief Ministers of Bihar

Bihar, one of India’s most historically and politically significant states, has witnessed several dynamic leaders since India’s independence. The state’s politics have been deeply rooted in social justice, regional identity, and development. The Chief Minister (CM) is the head of the Bihar government and holds the primary responsibility for implementing state policies and driving progress.

Let’s take a look at the complete list of Chief Ministers of Bihar, their tenure, and key highlights from their leadership.

Complete List of CM of Bihar

No.	Chief Minister	Term of Office	Political Party
1	Sri Krishna Sinha	2 April 1946 – 31 January 1961	Indian National Congress
2	Deep Narayan Singh	1 February 1961 – 18 February 1961	Indian National Congress
3	Binodanand Jha	18 February 1961 – 2 October 1963	Indian National Congress
4	K. B. Sahay	2 October 1963 – 5 March 1967	Indian National Congress
5	Mahamaya Prasad Sinha	5 March 1967 – 28 January 1968	Jan Kranti Dal
6	Satish Prasad Singh	28 January 1968 – 1 February 1968	Shoshit Dal
7	B. P. Mandal	1 February 1968 – 22 March 1968	Shoshit Dal
8	Bhola Paswan Shastri	22 March 1968 – 29 June 1968	Indian National Congress
9	Harihar Singh	26 February 1969 – 22 June 1969	Indian National Congress
10	Bhola Paswan Shastri	22 June 1969 – 4 July 1969	Indian National Congress
11	Daroga Prasad Rai	16 February 1970 – 22 December 1970	Indian National Congress
12	Karpoori Thakur	22 December 1970 – 2 June 1971	Socialist Party
13	Bhola Paswan Shastri	2 June 1971 – 9 January 1972	Indian National Congress
14	Kedar Pandey	19 March 1972 – 2 July 1973	Indian National Congress
15	Abdul Ghafoor	2 July 1973 – 11 April 1975	Indian National Congress
16	Jagannath Mishra	11 April 1975 – 30 April 1977	Indian National Congress
17	Karpoori Thakur	24 June 1977 – 21 April 1979	Janata Party
18	Ram Sundar Das	21 April 1979 – 17 February 1980	Janata Party (Secular)
19	Jagannath Mishra	8 June 1980 – 14 August 1983	Indian National Congress
20	Chandrashekhar Singh	14 August 1983 – 12 March 1985	Indian National Congress
21	Bindeshwari Dubey	12 March 1985 – 13 February 1988	Indian National Congress
22	Bhagwat Jha Azad	14 February 1988 – 10 March 1989	Indian National Congress
23	Satyendra Narayan Sinha	11 March 1989 – 6 December 1989	Indian National Congress
24	Jagannath Mishra	6 December 1989 – 10 March 1990	Indian National Congress
25	Lalu Prasad Yadav	10 March 1990 – 28 March 1995	Janata Dal
26	Lalu Prasad Yadav	4 April 1995 – 25 July 1997	Janata Dal
27	Rabri Devi	25 July 1997 – 11 February 1999	Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
28	Rabri Devi	9 March 1999 2 March 2000	Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
29	Nitish Kumar	3 March 2000 – 10 March 2000	Samata Party
30	Rabri Devi	11 March 2000 – 6 March 2005	Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
31	Nitish Kumar	24 November 2005 – 20 May 2014	Janata Dal (United)
32	Jitan Ram Manjhi	20 May 2014 – 22 February 2015	Janata Dal (United)
33	Nitish Kumar	22 February 2015 – Present (as of 31 oct 2025)	Janata Dal (United)

Historical Overview of Bihar’s Political Leadership

Sri Krishna Sinha (1947–1961)

Sri Krishna Sinha, affectionately known as “Bihar Kesari,” was Bihar’s first Chief Minister and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. Under his leadership, Bihar made significant progress in education, land reforms, and industrialization.

Karpoori Thakur – The Champion of the Backward Classes

Karpoori Thakur, known as the “Jan Nayak,” was a symbol of social justice. His government introduced reservation policies for backward classes and worked for education and employment reforms.

Lalu Prasad Yadav (1990–1997)

Lalu Prasad Yadav brought a new era of politics in Bihar, emphasizing social empowerment of marginalized groups. His tenure, though marked by controversies, reshaped Bihar’s caste-based political structure.

Rabri Devi (1997–2005)

Rabri Devi became Bihar’s first woman Chief Minister after Lalu Prasad Yadav’s resignation. Her rule witnessed political stability for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) during a period of intense political challenges.

Nitish Kumar – Architect of Modern Bihar

Nitish Kumar, one of the longest-serving Chief Ministers of Bihar, is known for his governance reforms, women’s empowerment initiatives, and infrastructure development. His “Saat Nischay” (Seven Resolves) programs focused on youth, education, and public welfare.

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Development and Governance Over the Years

Bihar’s political history reflects the evolution of democracy in India. From Congress dominance in the early years to the emergence of socialist and regional leaders, the state has played a pivotal role in shaping national politics.
Today, under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, Bihar continues to focus on education, industrial growth, and rural infrastructure to uplift its economy.

Key Takeaways

• First Chief Minister: Sri Krishna Sinha (1946)
• First Woman Chief Minister: Rabri Devi (1997)
• Longest-Serving Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar
• Current Chief Minister (2025): Nitish Kumar
• Dominant Political Parties: Indian National Congress, Janata Dal, RJD, JD(U)

Summary

The journey of Bihar’s Chief Ministers mirrors the state’s complex yet vibrant political landscape. From freedom fighters like Sri Krishna Sinha to reformists like Nitish Kumar, each leader has left an indelible mark on the state’s progress. As Bihar continues to grow, its leadership remains crucial in steering the state toward a future of prosperity and inclusivity.

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