List of Former Chief Ministers of Bihar (1946-2024)

Bihar, a state nestled in the heart of eastern India, boasts a political history as rich and varied as its cultural tapestry. Since its inception post-independence, Bihar has witnessed the rise and fall of numerous leaders who have held the esteemed position of Chief Minister, each leaving an indelible mark on the state’s socio-political landscape. From the early years of independence to the present day, Bihar has been a crucible of political fervor, with leaders representing diverse ideologies and aspirations of its people. This article delves into the annals of Bihar’s political history, chronicling the tenures of its former Chief Ministers and their contributions to the state’s evolution and progress.

Chief Ministers of Bihar

Over the course of its history since 1946, Bihar has been governed by 23 Chief Ministers, commencing with Sri Krishna Sinha and presently led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar since February 2015. Additionally, Bihar has experienced Presidents’ rule on eight occasions, albeit for brief durations. The Indian National Congress (INC) has held power for the longest duration, followed by the Janata Dal (United) party in coalition with the Rashtriya Janata Dal party.

First Chief Minister of Bihar

Sri Krishna Sinha, the inaugural Chief Minister of Bihar, was born on October 21, 1887, in Munger district. Despite losing his mother at a tender age, he pursued education diligently, earning his master’s degree from Calcutta and a law doctorate from Patna University. A stalwart in politics, Sinha’s tenure saw monumental strides including the abolition of Zamindari, significant river valley projects, and empowerment of Dalits. He was renowned for his powerful oratory, earning him the moniker “Bihar Kesari.”

First Woman Chief Minister of Bihar

Rabri Devi made history by becoming Bihar’s inaugural female Chief Minister on July 25, 1997. She served three terms in this prestigious position, marking her as the sole woman to have held this office to date. Additionally, Rabri Devi Yadav is an esteemed Indian politician, presently serving as a Member (MLC) of the Bihar Legislative Council. She currently fulfills the role of Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Vidhan Parishad.

Current Chief Minister of Bihar

Nitish Kumar has assumed the role of Bihar’s Chief Minister for the ninth time, now spearheading the BJP-JD(U) government. He took the oath on January 29, 2024, follows his departure from the RJD-JD(U) coalition. This significant political shift marks a noteworthy change in Bihar’s political landscape, as Nitish Kumar concludes his alliance with the RJD.

Longest Serving Chief Minister of Bihar

Since February 22, 2015, Nitish Kumar has held the esteemed position of Chief Minister in Bihar. With his recent swearing-in on January 28, 2024, marking his ninth term, Nitish Kumar solidifies his status as the longest-serving Chief Minister in the history of Bihar. This milestone underscores his enduring dedication to governance and leadership in the state, shaping its trajectory over an extended period.

Shortest Serving Chief Minister of Bihar

Satish Prasad Singh, the 6th Chief Minister of Bihar, served the shortest term in office, a mere five days in 1968. He hailed from the Koeri community and was Bihar’s first Chief Minister from the Other Backward Classes. Elected to the 7th Lok Sabha from Bihar’s Khagaria constituency in 1980, he was a member of the Congress Party. Singh, known as the “weatherman” of Indian politics, passed away from COVID-19 complications on November 2, 2020.

List of Former Chief Ministers of Bihar (1946-2024)

Since 1946, Bihar has been governed by 23 Chief Ministers, commencing with Sri Krishna Sinha and presently led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar since February 2015.

Here is the complete list of former chief ministers of Bihar from 1946 – 2024:

List of Former Chief Ministers of Bihar (1946-2024)
S. No.	Name	Tenure	Political Party
1.	Sri Krishna Sinha	2 April 1946 – 31 January 1961	Indian National Congress
2.	Deep Narayan Singh	1 Feb 1961 – 18 Feb 1961	Indian National Congress
3.	Binodanand Jha	18 Feb 1961 – 2 Oct 1963	Indian National Congress
4.	K.B. Sahay	2 Oct 1963 – 5 March 1965	Indian National Congress
5.	Mahamaya Prasad Sinha	5 Mar 1963 – 28 Jan 1968	Jana Kranti Dal
6.	Satish Prasad Singh	28 Jan 1968 – 1 Feb 1968	Samyukta Socialist Party
7.	B.P. Madal	1 Feb 1968 – 22 Mar 1968	Samyukta Socialist Party
8.	Bhola Paswan Shastri	22 Mar 1968 – 29 Jun 1968	Indian National Congress
9.	Harihar Singh	26 Feb 1969 – 22 Jun 1969	Indian National Congress
10.	Bhola Paswan Shastri	22 Jun 1969 – 4 Jul 1969	Indian National Congress
11.	Daroga Prasad Rai	16 Feb 1970 – 22 Dec 1970	Indian National Congress
12.	Karpoori Thakur	22 Dec 1970 – 2 Jun 1971	Socialist Party
13.	Bhola Paswan Shastri	2 Jun 1971 – 9 Jan 1972	Indian National Congress
14.	Kedar Pandey	19 Mar 1972 – 2 Jul 1973	Indian National Congress
15.	Abdul Gafoor	2 Jul 1973 – 11 Apr 1975	Indian National Congress
16.	Jagannath Mishra	11 Apr 1975 – 30 Apr 1977	Indian National Congress
17.	Karpoori Thakur	24 Jun 1977 – 21 Apr 1979	Janata Party
18.	Ram Sundar Das	21 Apr 1979 – 17 Feb 1980	Janata Party
19.	Jagannath Mishra	8 Jun 1980 – 14 Aug 1983	Indian National Congress
20.	Chandrasekhar Singh	14 Aug 1983 – 12 Mar 1985	Indian National Congress
21.	Bindeshwari Dubey	12 Mar 1985 – 13 Feb 1988	Indian National Congress
22.	Bhagwat Jha Azad	14 Feb 1988 – 10 Mar 1989	Indian National Congress
23.	Satyendra Narayan Sinha	11 Mar 1989 – 6 Dec 1989	Indian National Congress
24.	Jagannath Mishra	6 Dec 1989 – 10 Mar 1990	Indian National Congress
25.	Lalu Prasad Yadav	10 Mar 1990 – 28 Mar 1995	Janata Dal
26.	Lalu Prasad Yadav	4 Apr 1995 – 25 Jul 1997	Janata Dal, Rashtriya Janata Dal
27.	Rabri Devi	25 Jul 1997 – 11 Feb 1999	Rashtriya Janata Dal
28.	Rabri Devi	9 Mar 1999 – 2 Mar 2000	Rashtriya Janata Dal
29.	Nitish Kumar	3 Mar 2000 – 10 Mar 2000	Samata Party
30.	Rabri Devi	11 Mar 2000 – 6 Mar 2005	Rashtriya Janata Dal
31.	Nitish Kumar	24 Nov 2005 – 20 May 2014	Janata Dal (United)
32.	Jita Ram Manjhi	20 May 2014 – 22 Feb 2015	Janata Dal (United)
33.	Nitesh Kumar	22 Feb 2015 – Incumbent	Janata Dal (United)