List of Chief Ministers of Tamilnadu From 1920 to 2025

Explore the complete list of Chief Ministers of Tamilnadu from 1920 to 2025, including tenure, political party, and historical milestones. Essential for UPSC, TNPSC, and general knowledge preparation.

Table of Contents

Tamil Nadu, one of India’s most politically vibrant states, has seen a dynamic history of governance marked by powerful leaders, regional movements, and social justice reforms. From its early days as the Madras Presidency to becoming Tamil Nadu in 1969, the state has witnessed a succession of visionary Chief Ministers who played a significant role in shaping its political and developmental landscape.

In this article, explore the complete list of Chief Ministers of Tamilnadu from 1920 to 2025, highlighting their tenure, party affiliations, key constituencies, and their impact on the state.

Current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

M. K. Stalin is the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, having assumed office on May 7, 2021. He is the son of former CM M. Karunanidhi and a senior leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Under his leadership, the state government focuses on social justice, inclusive growth, education, healthcare, and digital governance. Stalin’s administration follows the Dravidian model, emphasising welfare schemes and economic reforms aimed at uplifting marginalised communities and ensuring overall development.

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List of Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers From 1920 to 2025

No.	Name	Tenure	Party	Constituency
1	A. Subbarayalu Reddiar	Dec 1920 – Jul 1921	Justice Party	NA
2	Raja of Panagal	Jul 1921 – Dec 1926	Justice Party	NA
3	P. Subbarayan	Dec 1926 – Oct 1930	Independent	NA
4	B. Munuswamy Naidu	Oct 1930 – Nov 1932	Justice Party	NA
5	Ramakrishna Ranga Rao	Nov 1932 – Apr 1936	Justice Party	NA
6	C. Rajagopalachari	Apr 1937 – Oct 1939	Indian National Congress	NA
–	(President’s Rule during WWII)	1939 – 1946	–	–
7	T. Prakasam	Apr 1946 – Mar 1947	Indian National Congress	NA
8	O. P. Ramaswamy Reddiar	Mar 1947 – Apr 1949	Indian National Congress	NA
9	Kumaraswami Raja	Apr 1949 – Apr 1952	Indian National Congress	NA
10	C. Rajagopalachari	Apr 1952 – Apr 1954	Indian National Congress	NA
11	K. Kamaraj	Apr 1954 – Oct 1963	Indian National Congress	Virudhunagar
12	M. Bhaktavatsalam	Oct 1963 – Mar 1967	Indian National Congress	Sriperumbudur
13	C. N. Annadurai	Mar 1967 – Feb 1969	Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam	Legislative Council
14	V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (Acting)	Feb 1969 – Mar 1969	DMK	Triplicane
15	M. Karunanidhi	Mar 1969 – Jan 1976	DMK	Saidapet
–	(President’s Rule)	Jan 1976 – Jun 1977	–	–
16	M. G. Ramachandran	Jun 1977 – Dec 1987	AIADMK	Aruppukottai
17	V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (Acting)	Dec 1987 – Jan 1988	AIADMK	Athoor
18	V. N. Janaki Ramachandran	Jan 1988 – Jan 1988	AIADMK	NA
–	(President’s Rule)	Jan 1988 – Jan 1989	–	–
19	M. Karunanidhi	Jan 1989 – Jan 1991	DMK	Harbour
–	(President’s Rule)	Jan 1991 – Jun 1991	–	–
20	J. Jayalalithaa	Jun 1991 – May 1996	AIADMK	Bargur
21	M. Karunanidhi	May 1996 – May 2001	DMK	Chepauk
22	J. Jayalalithaa	May 2001 – Sep 2001	AIADMK	NA
23	O. Panneerselvam	Sep 2001 – Mar 2002	AIADMK	Periyakulam
24	J. Jayalalithaa	Mar 2002 – May 2006	AIADMK	Andipatti
25	M. Karunanidhi	May 2006 – May 2011	DMK	Chepauk
26	J. Jayalalithaa	May 2011 – Sep 2014	AIADMK	Srirangam
27	O. Panneerselvam	Sep 2014 – May 2015	AIADMK	Bodinayakanur
28	J. Jayalalithaa	May 2015 – Dec 2016	AIADMK	Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar
29	O. Panneerselvam	Dec 2016 – Feb 2017	AIADMK	Bodinayakanur
30	Edappadi K. Palaniswami	Feb 2017 – May 2021	AIADMK	Edappadi
31	M. K. Stalin (Current)	May 2021 – Present	DMK	Kolathur

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Chief Ministers of Madras

S. No.	Chief Minister	Tenure
1.	C. Rajagopalachari	10 April 1952 – 13 April 1954
2.	K. Kamaraj	13 April 1954 – 2 October 1963
3.	M. Bhakthavatsalam	2 October 1963 – 5 March 1967
4.	C. N. Annadurai	6 March 1967 – 13 February 1969

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Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu: Roles and Responsibilities

The Governor appoints the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and holds office for a term of five years, with the possibility of re-election. The CM acts as the head of the state’s executive branch, overseeing the formulation and implementation of policies that impact millions of residents.

The CM is responsible for key decisions in areas like healthcare, education, infrastructure, and welfare programs. Throughout the decades, Tamil Nadu’s political leadership has seen significant transitions, especially between the two dominant political parties: the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

First Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

The first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was A. Subbarayalu Reddiar. He served as the Chief Minister from April 1921 to July 1926. However, it’s important to note that the office of Chief Minister as it exists today was formally established in 1920 with the implementation of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms in British India. Before that, the head of the Madras Presidency was known as the Premier or Prime Minister.

A. Subbarayalu Reddiar was succeeded by Raja of Panagal, who became the Chief Minister of Madras Presidency in July 1926. The terminology changed from “Chief Minister” to “Premier” during that period. Subsequently, the title was again changed to Chief Minister after India gained independence.

In the post-independence era, O. P. Ramaswamy Reddiar became the first Chief Minister of the Madras State (which later became Tamil Nadu) in 1952.

Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu: Important Facts for UPSC

1. First Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

A. Subbarayalu Reddiar was the first Premier of the Madras Presidency in 1920.
Post-independence, C. Rajagopalachari became the first Chief Minister of Madras State in 1952.
M. Karunanidhi became the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after the state’s renaming in 1969.

2. Longest Serving Chief Minister

M. Karunanidhi (DMK) holds the record with over 18 years in office across five terms between 1969 and 2011.
He played a pivotal role in Dravidian politics and Tamil cultural development.

3. Only Woman Chief Minister

V. N. Janaki Ramachandran served as the only woman CM for 23 days in January 1988.
She was wife of M. G. Ramachandran, founder of AIADMK.

4. Notable Political Parties

Justice Party: Early 20th-century party that governed before independence.
Indian National Congress (INC): Dominated till the mid-1960s.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK): Founded in 1949; major Dravidian party.
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK): Founded in 1972 by M.G. Ramachandran after splitting from DMK.

5. President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu experienced President’s Rule four times due to political instability:
- 1980
- 1976–1977
- 1988–1989
- 1991

6. Famous Chief Ministers

M. G. Ramachandran (MGR): Charismatic leader and founder of AIADMK; served from 1977 to 1987.
J. Jayalalithaa: Actress-turned-politician; AIADMK leader known for welfare schemes; served multiple terms from 1991 to 2016.
M.K. Stalin: Current CM (since 2021); son of Karunanidhi, focusing on inclusive growth and social welfare.

7. Tenure Facts

Tamil Nadu has alternated mainly between DMK and AIADMK since the late 1960s.
M.Karunanidhi and J. Jayalalithaa were the most prominent CMs in recent decades.
Interim Chief Ministers like O. Panneerselvam have served briefly during political crises.

8. Role in National Politics

Tamil Nadu’s Chief Ministers have had significant influence on national politics, particularly in the coalition era at the Centre.
K. Kamaraj was a key Congress leader and former Congress President.

Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu FAQs

Who is present CM of Tamil Nadu?

The eighth and current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is an Indian politician by the name of Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin (born 1 March 1953).

Who is the first lady Chief Minister of Tamilnadu?

All India's former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa the second-longest term belongs to Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, who served in that position until her passing in 2016

How many chief ministers are there in Tamil Nadu?

In addition to V. R. Nedunchezhiyan, who served as acting chief minister twice since 1952, Tamil Nadu has had 12 chief ministers.

How many MLA are there in Tamil Nadu?

The Indian state of Tamil Nadu has a unicameral legislature known as the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. It has 234 members, all of whom were democratically chosen using the First-past-the-post method.

Which party is in Tamil Nadu?

Current ruling party ofTamil Nadu is Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

Who is the education minister of Tamil Nadu 2022?

Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi is the education minister of Tamil Nadu 2022.

Who is the health minister of Tamil Nadu 2021?

Subramanian is a Tamil Indian lawyer, businessman, and politician. He has held the position of Minister for Health and Family Welfare for the state of Tamil Nadu since May 7th, 2021.