List of Former Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh (1956-2024)

Madhya Pradesh, nestled in the heart of India, has witnessed the leadership of several notable figures who have shaped its political landscape over the years. As we delve into the annals of its history, let’s explore the list of former Chief Ministers who have steered the state through various socio-political challenges and milestones.

Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh

The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 amalgamated Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, and Bhopal into Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 1956. Since then, the state has witnessed 19 Chief Ministers. Pt. Ravishankar Shukla was the inaugural Chief Minister. Of the total, 12 Chief Ministers were from the INC. The first Non-Congress Chief Minister was Govind Narayan Singh, leading the Samyukta Vidhayak Dal government from 1967 to 1969. Digvijaya Singh of the Congress served two full five-year terms. Uma Bharti of the BJP became the state’s first and only female Chief Minister, serving for one year. Shivraj Singh Chouhan longest-serving Chief Minister, assuming office in 2005 and serving for 13 years. Madhya Pradesh has undergone Presidential rule thrice over brief periods. The major political parties dominating the state have been the BJP and INC.

Inaugural Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh

Pandit Ravishankar Shukla served as the first Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh from November 1, 1956, to December 31, 1956, holding the position for 6 years and 340 days. He played a pivotal role in the state’s early governance, contributing to its establishment and initial development during his tenure.

Current Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh

Dr. Mohan Yadav, an Indian politician and entrepreneur, presently holds the position of the 19th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, assuming office in 2023. A stalwart of the Bharatiya Janata Party, he represents the Ujjain South constituency in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly since 2013, bringing a blend of political acumen and business expertise to his leadership role.

First Woman Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh

Uma Bharti made history by becoming Madhya Pradesh’s first female Chief Minister, serving from December 8, 2003, to August 23, 2004. Her tenure marked a significant milestone in the state’s political landscape, showcasing her leadership prowess and breaking gender barriers in governance, leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment and progress.

Longest Serving Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, from the Bharatiya Janata Party, held the record for being the longest-serving Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, serving for over 16 and a half years. Dr. Mohan Yadav, also from the BJP, succeeded him after the 2023 elections, which marked a significant victory for the party after 16 years in power.

List of Former Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh (1956-2024)

The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 amalgamated Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, and Bhopal into Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 1956. Since then, the state has witnessed 19 Chief Ministers.

Here is the complete list of former chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh from 1956-2024:

Former Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh
S. No.	Name	From	To
1.	Pt. Ravinshankar Shukla	01 Nov 1956	31 Dec 1956
2.	Bhagwantrao Mandloi	01 Jan 1957	30 Jan 1957
3.	Kailash Nath Katju	31 Jan 1957	14 Mar 1957
4.	Kailash Nath Katju	14 Mar 1957	11 Mar 1962
5.	Bhagwantrao Mandloi	12 Mar 1962	29 Sep 1963
6.	Dwarka Prasad Mishra	30 Sep 1963	08 Mar 1967
7.	Dwarka Prasad Mishra	09 Mar 1967	29 Jul 1967
8.	Govind Narayan Singh	30 Jul 1967	12 Mar 1969
9.	Raja Nareshchandra Singh	13 Mar 1969	25 Mar 1969
10.	Shyama Charan Shukla	26 Mar 1969	28 Jan 1972
11.	Prakash Chandra Sethi	29 Jan 1972	22 Mar 1972
12.	Prakash Chandra Sethi	23 Mar 1972	22 Dec 1975
13.	Shyama Chandra Shukla	23 Dec 1975	29 Apr 1977
14.	President’s Rule	29 Apr 1977	25 Jun 1977
15.	Kailash Chandra Joshi	26 Jun 1977	17 Jan 1978
16.	Virendra Kumar Saklecha	18 Jan 1978	19 Jan 1980
17.	Sunderlal Patwa	20 Jan 1980	17 Feb 1980
18.	President’s Rule	18 Feb 1980	08 Jun 1980
19.	Arjun Singh	08 Jun 1980	10 Mar 1985
20.	Arjun Singh	11 Mar 1985	12 Mar 1985
21.	Motilal Vora	13 Mar 1985	13 Feb 1988
22.	Arjun Singh	14 Feb 1988	24 Jan 1989
23.	Motilal Vora	25 Jan 1989	08 Dec 1989
24.	Shyama Charan Shukla	09 Dec 1989	04 Mar 1990
25.	Sunderlal Patwa	05 Mar 1990	15 Dec 1992
26.	President’s Rule	16 Dec 1992	06 Dec 1993
27.	Digviijay Singh	07 Dec 1993	01 Dec 1998
28.	Digvijay Singh	02 Dec 1998	08 Dec 2003
29.	Uma Bharti	08 Dec 2003	23 Aug 2004
30.	Babulal Gaur	23 Aug 2004	29 Nov 2005
31.	Shivraj Singh Chauhan	29 Nov 2005	12 Dec 2008
32.	Shivaraj Singh Chauhan	13 Dec 2008	13 Dec 2013
33.	Shivraj Singh Chauhan	14 Dec 2013	17 Dec 2018
34.	Kamal Nath	18 Dec 2018	23 Mar 2020
35.	Shivaraj Singh Chauhan	24 Mar 2020	11 Dec 2023
36.	Mohan Yadav	13 Dec 2023	Incumbent

Functions of a Chief Minister

The functions of a Chief Minister vary somewhat depending on the specific constitutional and legal framework of the region they govern, but generally include the following:

• Head of the Government: The Chief Minister is the head of the state government and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the state.
• Executive Authority: The Chief Minister exercises executive authority over the state government, including the implementation of laws and policies.
• Chief Advisor to the Governor: The Chief Minister serves as the principal advisor to the Governor of the state and is responsible for advising on matters related to the administration of the state.
• Leader of the Legislative Assembly: The Chief Minister leads the ruling party or coalition in the state legislative assembly and is responsible for guiding legislative agenda and priorities.
• Policy Formulation: The Chief Minister plays a key role in formulating state policies and programs, in consultation with other government ministers and officials.
• Administration: The Chief Minister oversees the functioning of various government departments and agencies to ensure efficient delivery of services to the people.
• Representation: The Chief Minister represents the state government in interactions with the central government, other states, and international entities, as necessary.
• Crisis Management: During times of crisis or emergencies, the Chief Minister provides leadership and coordination for response efforts, working with relevant authorities to address the situation effectively.
• Budgetary Control: The Chief Minister has a significant role in the preparation and presentation of the state budget, as well as overseeing its implementation.
• Public Relations: The Chief Minister serves as the public face of the state government, engaging with the media, public, and various stakeholders to communicate government policies and initiatives.