Women Chief Ministers in India
Women Chief Ministers in India have played a significant role in the country’s political landscape. Over the years, these dynamic leaders have shattered gender barriers and demonstrated their capability in governing states. They have championed various social and developmental causes, inspiring countless individuals and showcasing the potential of women in leadership roles. Their tenacity, vision, and commitment to public service have made them trailblazers in a traditionally male-dominated arena, contributing to the diverse tapestry of India’s political leadership.
List of Female CMs
No. | Name | State | Party | Longest continuous term | Total years of chief ministership |
1 | Sheila Dikshit | Delhi | INC | 15 years, 25 days | 15 years, 25 days |
2 | J. Jayalalithaa | Tamil Nadu | AIADMK | 4 years, 323 days | 14 years, 124 days |
3 | Mamata Banerjee | West Bengal | AITC | 12 years, 114 days | 12 years, 114 days |
4 | Vasundhara Raje | Rajasthan | BJP | 5 years, 5 days | 10 years, 9 days |
5 | Rabri Devi | Bihar | RJD | 4 years, 360 days | 7 years, 190 days |
6 | Mayawati | Uttar Pradesh | BSP | 4 years, 307 days | 7 years, 5 days |
7 | Shashikala Kakodkar | Goa | MGP | 5 years, 258 days | 5 years, 258 days |
8 | Nandini Satpathy | Odisha | INC | 4 years, 185 days | 4 years, 185 days |
9 | Sucheta Kripalani | Uttar Pradesh | INC | 3 years, 162 days | 3 years, 162 days |
10 | Anandiben Patel | Gujarat | BJP | 2 years, 77 days | 2 years, 77 days |
11 | Mehbooba Mufti | J&K | JKPDP | 2 years, 76 days | 2 years, 76 days |
12 | Uma Bharti | Madhya Pradesh | BJP | 259 days | 259 days |
13 | Anwara Taimur | Assam | INC | 206 days | 206 days |
14 | Rajinder Kaur Bhattal | Punjab | INC | 83 days | 83 days |
15 | Sushma Swaraj | Delhi | BJP | 52 days | 52 days |
16 | V. N. Janaki Ramachandran | Tamil Nadu | AIADMK | 23 days | 23 days |
Longest Term as Women CM
Sheila Dikshit holds the record for the longest tenure as Chief Minister in India. Her remarkable leadership saw her serve as the Chief Minister of Delhi continuously for an impressive 15 years and 25 days. In a similar vein, J. Jayalalithaa’s illustrious career as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu spanned six terms between 1991 and 2016, totaling 14 years and 124 days. Ranking third is Mamata Banerjee, the current Chief Minister of West Bengal, who has been in office since May 20, 2011.
Vasundhara Raje served two terms as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, accumulating a total of 10 years and 9 days in office. Rabri Devi, on the other hand, held three terms as the Chief Minister of Bihar between 1997 and 2005, with a cumulative tenure of 7 years and 190 days. Mayawati, a prominent leader, held the position of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh four times, amassing a total of 7 years and 5 days in office.
No. | Name | Longest continuous term | Total years as CM |
1 | Sheila Dikshit | 15 years, 25 days | 15 years, 25 days |
2 | J. Jayalalithaa | 4 years, 323 days | 14 years, 124 days |
3 | Mamata Banerjee | 12 years, 114 days | 12 years, 114 days |
4 | Vasundhara Raje | 5 years, 5 days | 10 years, 9 days |
5 | Rabri Devi | 4 years, 360 days | 7 years, 190 days |
6 | Mayawati | 4 years, 307 days | 7 years, 5 days |
Shortest Term as Women CM
V. N. Janaki Ramachandran became the Chief Minister in January 1988. Her government lasted only 24 days, marking the shortest duration for a female Chief Minister. Sushma Swaraj, who served as the Minister of External Affairs of India from 2014 to 2019, also briefly held the position of the 5th Chief Minister of Delhi in 1998, becoming the first female Chief Minister of Delhi. Her term ended in 52 days, making it the second shortest duration for a female Chief Minister. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, who served as the first female Chief Minister of Punjab from November 1996 to February 1997, for a total of 83 days, has the third shortest duration as a female Chief Minister.
No. | Name | Term |
1 | V. N. Janaki Ramachandran | 23 days |
2 | Sushma Swaraj | 52 days |
3 | Rajinder Kaur Bhattal | 83 days |
4 | Anwara Taimur | 206 days |
5 | Uma Bharti | 259 days |