Chief Minister of Bihar

The chief minister of Bihar serves as the head of the Government of Bihar, overseeing its administration and governance within the constitutional framework of India. While the Governor of Bihar holds the ceremonial role of the constitutional head, real executive authority rests with the chief minister, who is responsible for implementing policies and managing the state’s day-to-day affairs. Appointed by the Governor following elections to the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the chief minister is typically the leader of the majority party or coalition in the assembly. Upon taking office, they form a council of ministers, assigning portfolios to manage various government departments. This council operates collectively under the chief minister’s leadership and remains accountable to the legislative assembly. Responsibilities of the office include leading cabinet meetings, drafting and implementing state policies, and presenting the annual budget. In addition to maintaining law and order, the chief minister directs efforts toward economic development, public welfare, and infrastructure improvement. Coordination with the Government of India and advocacy for Bihar’s interests at the national level are also integral parts of the role.

Policy proposals and legislative initiatives are often introduced under the chief minister’s guidance, shaping the government’s agenda in the assembly. Administrative oversight is another key function, ensuring government departments and officials deliver public services efficiently and in line with policy objectives. The position carries a five-year term, concurrent with the tenure of the legislative assembly. However, tenure depends on retaining the confidence of the assembly, as the chief minister can be removed through a vote of no confidence. There are no term limits, allowing for multiple consecutive or non-consecutive terms. Since its establishment in 1946, the office has grown in influence, reflecting shifts in state politics and governance. The role has become central to Bihar’s administration, with successive holders contributing to the state’s legislative, economic, and social development efforts.

From 1946, 23 people have been chief minister of Bihar. The current incumbent is Nitish Kumar who is having incumbency since 22 February 2015. The longest incumbent chief minister of Bihar held to Nitish Kumar.

List

Prime ministers from Bihar

Before independence, Bihar was part of the larger Bihar and Orissa province, which was divided into two separate provinces on 1 April 1936. The Government of India Act 1935 introduced a bicameral legislature in Bihar, with a Legislative Assembly and a Legislatory Council, headed by the Premier. Shri Krishna Sinha became the first Premier in 1937, leading a government formed by the Indian National Congress. He continued as Bihar’s leader after independence, becoming the first chief minister in 1946. The role of premier was replaced by the chief minister after India's independence in 1947, with Bihar’s political leadership transitioning to a new democratic framework.

No.Template:Efn	Portrait	Name	Term of office			Party
			Took office	Left office	Tenure
1	File:Mohammad Yunus, First Premier of Bihar.jpg	Mohammad Yunus	1 April 1937	19 July 1937	Template:Ayd	Muslim Independent Party
2	File:Shri Krishna Singh 2016 stamp of India.jpg	Shri Krishna Sinha	20 July 1937	31 October 1939	Template:Ayd	Indian National Congress
(2)	File:Shri Krishna Singh 2016 stamp of India.jpg	Shri Krishna Sinha	23 March 1946	14 August 1947	Template:Age in years and days	Indian National Congress

Key

Colour key for political parties

  Indian National Congress

  Janata Dal (United)

  Rashtriya Janata Dal

  Janata Dal

  Samata Party

  Socialist Party

  Indian National Congress (O)

  N/A (President's rule)

• No.: Incumbent number
• ^§ Assassinated or died in office
• ^RES Resigned
• ^NC Resigned following a no-confidence motion

#	Portrait	Name	Constituency	Term of office			Assembly (Election)	PartyTemplate:Efn
1	File:Shri Krishna Singh 2016 stamp of India.jpg	Shri Krishna Sinha	Kharagpur	26 January 1950	29 April 1952	Template:Age in years and days	Provincial (1946 election)	Indian National Congress	rowspan="7" style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
				29 April 1952	5 May 1957		1st (1952 election)
			Sheikhpura	5 May 1957	31 January 1961[†]		2nd (1957 election)
2		Deep Narayan Singh	Hajipur	1 February 1961	18 February 1961	Template:Age in years and days
3	File:Binodanand Jha portrait.gif	Binodanand Jha	Rajmahal	18 February 1961	15 March 1962	Template:Age in years and days
				15 March 1962	2 October 1963		3rd (1962 election)
4	File:Krishna Ballabh Sahay (cropped).jpg	Krishna Ballabh Sahay	Patna West	2 October 1963	5 March 1967	Template:Age in years and days
5	File:Mahamaya Prasad Sinha portrait.gif	Mahamaya Prasad Sinha	Patna West	5 March 1967	28 January 1968	Template:Age in years and days	4th (1967 election)	Jana Kranti Dal
6	File:Satish Prasad Singh CM.gif	Satish Prasad Singh	Parbatta	28 January 1968	1 February 1968	Template:Age in years and days		Shoshit Dal
7	File:B.P Mandal.jpg	B. P. Mandal	MLC	1 February 1968	22 March 1968	Template:Age in years and days
8	File:Bhola Pawan Shastri portrait.jpg	Bhola Paswan Shastri	Korha	22 March 1968	29 June 1968	Template:Age in years and days		Loktantrik Congress	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
–	State Emblem of India	VacantTemplate:Efn (President's rule)	N/A	29 June 1968	26 February 1969	Template:Age in years and days	Dissolved	N/A
9	File:Harihar Singh Mardaraj Bhramarabara Roy.jpg	Harihar Singh	Nayagram	26 February 1969	22 June 1969	Template:Age in years and days	5th (1969 election)	Indian National Congress	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
(8)	File:Bhola Pawan Shastri portrait.jpg	Bhola Paswan Shastri	Korha	22 June 1969	4 July 1969	Template:Age in years and days		Loktantrik Congress	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
–	State Emblem of India	VacantTemplate:Efn	N/A	4 July 1969	16 February 1970	Template:Age in years and days		N/A
10	File:NitishKumarPayingTributeToDPRai.jpg	Daroga Prasad Rai	Parsa	16 February 1970	22 December 1970	Template:Age in years and days		Indian National Congress (R)	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
11	File:Karpoori Thakur 1991 stamp of India.jpg	Karpoori Thakur	Tajpur	22 December 1970	2 June 1971	Template:Age in years and days		Samyukta Socialist Party	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
(8)	File:Bhola Pawan Shastri portrait.jpg	Bhola Paswan Shastri	Korha	2 June 1971	9 January 1972	Template:Age in years and days		Loktantrik Congress	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
–	State Emblem of India	VacantTemplate:Efn	N/A	9 January 1972	19 March 1972	Template:Age in years and days	Dissolved	N/A
12	File:Kedar Pandey.jpg	Kedar Pandey	Nautan	19 March 1972	2 July 1973	Template:Age in years and days	6th (1972 election)	Indian National Congress	rowspan="3" style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
13	File:Abdul Ghafoor portrait.jpg	Abdul Ghafoor	MLC	2 July 1973	11 April 1975	Template:Age in years and days
14		Jagannath Mishra	Jhanjharpur	11 April 1975	30 April 1977	Template:Age in years and days
–	State Emblem of India	VacantTemplate:Efn	N/A	30 April 1977	24 June 1977	Template:Age in years and days	Dissolved	N/A
(11)	File:Karpoori Thakur 1991 stamp of India.jpg	Karpoori Thakur	Phulparas	24 June 1977	21 April 1979	Template:Age in years and days	7th (1977 election)	Janata Party	rowspan="2" style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
15	File:Ram Sundar Das portrait.jpg	Ram Sundar Das	Sonepur	21 April 1979	17 February 1980	Template:Age in years and days
–	State Emblem of India	VacantTemplate:Efn	N/A	17 February 1980	8 June 1980	Template:Age in years and days		N/A
(14)		Jagannath Mishra	Jhanjharpur	8 June 1980	14 August 1983	Template:Age in years and days	8th (1980 election)	Indian National Congress	rowspan="6" style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
16	File:Chandra-Shekhar-Singh.jpg	Chandrashekhar Singh	MLC	14 August 1983	12 March 1985	Template:Age in years and days
17	File:B.dubey(3).jpg	Bindeshwari Dubey	Shahpur	12 March 1985	14 February 1988	Template:Age in years and days	9th (1985 election)
18	File:Bhagwat Jha Azad.jpg	Bhagwat Jha Azad	MLC	14 February 1988	11 March 1989	Template:Age in years and days
19	File:Satyendra Narayan Sinha portrait.gif	Satyendra Narayan Sinha	MLC	11 March 1989	6 December 1989	Template:Age in years and days
(14)		Jagannath Mishra	Jhanjharpur	6 December 1989	10 March 1990	Template:Age in years and days
20	File:The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Lalu Prasad addressing the Media to announce a policy matter in New Delhi on September 12, 2004.jpg	Lalu Prasad Yadav	MLC	10 March 1990	28 March 1995	Template:Age in years and days	10th (1990 election)	Janata Dal	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
–	State Emblem of India	VacantTemplate:Efn	N/A	28 March 1995	4 April 1995	Template:Age in years and days	Dissolved	N/A
(20)	File:The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Lalu Prasad addressing the Media to announce a policy matter in New Delhi on September 12, 2004.jpg	Lalu Prasad Yadav	Raghopur	4 April 1995	25 July 1997	Template:Age in years and days	11th (1995 election)	Janata Dal	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
								Rashtriya Janata Dal	rowspan="2" style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
21	File:Rabri Devi presenting a cheque for Rs. 10 crore on behalf of the State Government to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh for the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, in New Delhi on January 04, 2005 (cropped).jpg	Rabri Devi	MLC	25 July 1997	11 February 1999	Template:Age in years and days
–	State Emblem of India	VacantTemplate:Efn)	N/A	11 February 1999	9 March 1999	Template:Age in years and days		N/A
(21)	File:Rabri Devi presenting a cheque for Rs. 10 crore on behalf of the State Government to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh for the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, in New Delhi on January 04, 2005 (cropped).jpg	Rabri Devi	MLC	9 March 1999	3 March 2000	Template:Age in years and days		Rashtriya Janata Dal	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
22	File:Nitish Kumar.jpg	Nitish Kumar	MLC	3 March 2000	11 March 2000	Template:Age in years and days	12th (2000 election)	Samata Party	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
(21)	File:Rabri Devi presenting a cheque for Rs. 10 crore on behalf of the State Government to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh for the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, in New Delhi on January 04, 2005 (cropped).jpg	Rabri Devi Template:Efn	Raghopur	11 March 2000	7 March 2005	Template:Age in years and days		Rashtriya Janata Dal	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
–	State Emblem of India	VacantTemplate:Efn	N/A	7 March 2005	24 November 2005	Template:Age in years and days	13th (Feb 2005 election)	N/A
(22)	File:Nitish Kumar.jpg	Nitish Kumar	MLC	24 November 2005	26 November 2010	Template:Age in years and days	14th (Oct 2005 election)	Janata Dal (United)	rowspan="6" style="background-color: Template:Party color" |
				26 November 2010	20 May 2014		15th (2010 election)
23	File:Jitan Ram Manjhi June 2024 cropped.jpg	Jitan Ram Manjhi	Makhdumpur	20 May 2014	22 February 2015	Template:Age in years and days
(22)	File:The Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar meeting with the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia to finalize Annual Plan 2007-08 of the State, in New Delhi on February 14, 2007 (Nitish Kumar) (cropped).jpg	Nitish Kumar	MLC	22 February 2015	20 November 2015	Template:Age in years and days
				20 November 2015	16 November 2020		16th (2015 election)
				16 November 2020	Incumbent		17th (2020 election)

Statistics

No.	Name	Party		Length of term
				Longest continuous term	Total years of premiership
1	Nitish Kumar	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	JD(U)	Template:Age in years and days	18 years, 90 days
2	Shri Krishna Sinha	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	14 years, 314 days	17 years, 51 days
3	Rabri Devi	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	RJD	4 years, 360 days	7 year, 190 days
4	Lalu Prasad Yadav	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	JD	5 years, 18 days	7 years, 130 days
5	Jagannath Mishra	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	3 years, 67 days	5 years, 180 days
6	Krishna Ballabh Sahay	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	3 years, 154 days	3 years, 154 days
7	Bindeshwari Dubey	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	2 years, 338 days	2 years, 338 days
8	Binodanand Jha	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	2 years, 226 days	2 years, 226 days
9	Karpoori Thakur		SP	1 year, 301 days	2 years, 98 days
10	Abdul Ghafoor	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	1 year, 283 days	1 year, 283 days
11	Chandrashekhar Singh	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	1 year, 210 days	1 year, 210 days
12	Kedar Pandey	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	1 year, 105 days	1 year, 105 days
13	Bhagwat Jha Azad	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	1 year, 24 days	1 year, 24 days
14	Mahamaya Prasad Sinha		JKD	329 days	329 days
15	Daroga Prasad Rai	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	310 days	310 days
16	Ram Sundar Das	style="background-color: Template:Party color " |	JP	302 days	302 days
17	Jitan Ram Manjhi	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	JD(U)	278 days	278 days
18	Satyendra Narayan Sinha	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	270 days	270 days
19	Harihar Singh	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	117 days	117 days
20	Bhola Paswan Shastri	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	99 days	112 days
21	Bindheshwari Prasad Mandal		SSP	51 days	51 days
22	Deep Narayan Singh	style="background-color: Template:Party color" |	INC	17 days	17 days
23	Satish Prasad Singh		SSP	5 days	5 days

See also

• Bihar
• List of governors of Bihar
• List of deputy chief ministers of Bihar

References

Notes

Template:Notelist One of the achievements of the Bihar Government is that they have launched a Medhasoft Application for the students so that deserving students in the state get scholarships and the amount will be directly transferred to their account. However, in order to get this, school authorities have to upload all their student's details in the Medhasoft web portal.