Understanding Kerala’s political history is important for students preparing for Kerala PSC, UPSC, and other competitive exams. Since the formation of Kerala in 1956, the state has been governed by different leaders from major political groups, mainly the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF).
This guide provides a complete list of Kerala Chief Ministers from 1957 to the present, details about the current 2026 Council of Ministers, and important facts useful for exam preparation.
| CM Name | Duration | Party | Constituency |
|---|---|---|---|
|
E.M.S Namboodiripad |
1957 – 1959 |
Communist Party of India |
Nileshwaram |
|
P.A.Thanu Pillai |
1960 – 1962 |
Praja Socialist Party |
Trivandrum |
|
R.Sankar |
1962 – 1964 |
Indian National Congress |
Kannur |
|
E.M.S Namboodiripad |
1967 – 1969 |
Communist Party (Marxist) |
Pattambi |
|
C. Achutha Menon |
1969 – 1970 |
Communist Party of India |
Kottarakkara |
|
C. Achutha Menon |
1970 – 1977 |
Communist Party of India |
Kodakara |
|
K.Karunakaran |
1977 – 1977 |
Indian National Congress |
Mala |
|
A.K.Antony |
1977 – 1978 |
Indian National Congress |
Kazhakkuttom
|
|
P.K. Vasudevan Nair |
1978 – 1979 |
Communist Party of India
|
Alleppey |
|
C.H.Mohammed Koya
|
1979 – 1979 |
Indian Union Muslim League |
Malappuram |
|
E.K. Nayanar |
1980 – 1981 |
Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
Malampuzha |
|
K.Karunakaran |
1981 – 1982
|
Indian National Congress |
Mala |
|
K.Karunakaran |
1982 – 1987 |
Indian National Congress |
Mala |
|
E.K. Nayanar |
1987 – 1991 |
Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
Trikaripur |
|
K.Karunakaran |
1991 – 1995 |
Indian National Congress |
Mala |
|
A.K. Antony
|
1995 – 1996 |
Indian National Congress |
Thirurangadi |
|
E.K. Nayanar |
1996 – 2001 |
Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
Thalassery |
|
A.K. Antony |
2001 – 2004 |
Indian National Congress |
Cherthala |
|
Oommen Chandy |
2004 – 2006 |
Indian National Congress |
Puthuppally |
|
V.S Achuthanandan
|
2006 – 2011
|
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
|
Malampuzha
|
|
Oommen Chandy
|
2011 – 2016
|
Indian National Congress
|
Puthuppally
|
|
Pinarayi Vijayan |
2016 – 2026 |
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
|
Dharmadam |
|
V. D. Satheesan |
2026 – Present |
Indian National Congress (INC)
|
Paravur |
PSC പരീക്ഷയ്ക്ക് തയ്യാറാകുന്നവർക്കായി
Xylem Learning PSC മലയാളം ബാച്ച് – ലൈവ് ക്ലാസുകൾ, MCQs, PYQs, PDF notes
ചേരാൻ ക്ലിക്ക് ചെയ്യൂV. D. Satheesan - Chief Minister of Kerala 2026
After the United Democratic Front (UDF) won the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, V. D. Satheesan became the Chief Minister of Kerala on May 18, 2026. Before becoming Chief Minister, he served as the Leader of the Opposition from 2021 to 2026. He has represented the Paravur constituency in Ernakulam district continuously since 2001.
Key Areas of Focus
Infrastructure Development
- Speeding up Phase 2 development of the Vizhinjam International Seaport.
- Solving land acquisition issues for major National Highway projects.
- Expanding Kochi Metro connectivity and improving transport infrastructure.
Administrative Reforms
- Improving the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment process.
- Reducing delays in government appointments.
- Making recruitment procedures more efficient and transparent.
Financial Management
- Managing public debt more effectively.
- Ensuring the timely distribution of social security pensions.
- Increasing the use of digital systems in treasury and financial operations.
council of ministers
PSC Tip: Keep in mind that the Chief Minister, V. D. Satheesan, also handles important departments such as General Administration and Finance.
| Minister Name | Party | Constituency | Key Portfolios Allocated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shri. V. D. Satheesan (Chief Minister) | INC | Paravur | General Administration, Finance & Taxes, Planning and Economic Affairs, Law, Science & Technology, Personnel & Administrative Reforms, Metro Rail, Airports, Ports |
| Shri. Ramesh Chennithala | INC | Haripad | Home Affairs, Vigilance, Prisons, Fire and Rescue Services, Coir |
| Shri. K. Muraleedharan | INC | Vattiyoorkavu | Health, Family Welfare, Medical Education, AYUSH, Devaswoms, Food Safety |
| Shri. Sunny Joseph | INC | Peravoor | Electricity, Environment, Parliamentary Affairs, ANERT |
| Shri. A. P. Anil Kumar | INC | Wandoor | Land Revenue, Survey and Land Records, Land Reforms |
| Shri. P. K. Kunhalikutty | IUML | Malappuram | Industries & Commerce, Mining & Geology, Handlooms & Textiles, Electronics, Startups, Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology |
| Shri. Mons Joseph | KEC | Kaduthuruthy | Water Resources, Irrigation, Ground Water Department, Housing, Water Supply & Sanitation |
| Shri. Shibu Baby John | RSP | Chavara | Forests & Wildlife Protection, Labour, Employment & Training Skills, Cashew Industry |
| Shri. Anoop Jacob | KC(J) | Piravom | Food and Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs, Legal Metrology |
| Shri. C. P. John | CMP | Thiruvananthapuram | Road Transport, Motor Vehicles, Water Transport |
| Shri. P. C. Vishnunadh | INC | Kundara | Tourism, Culture, KSFDC, Kerala Chalachithra Academy, Cultural Activists Welfare Fund Board |
| Shri. Roji M. John | INC | Angamaly | Collegiate Education, Technical Education, Universities, Entrance Examination, NCC, ASAP Kerala |
| Smt. Bindu Krishna | INC | Kollam | Labour, Dairy Development, Women & Child Development, Animal Husbandry, Rehabilitation, Factories & Boilers, Insurance Medical Service, Labour Courts |
| Shri. M. Liju | INC | Kayamkulam | Excise, Co-operation |
| Shri. P. K. Basheer | IUML | Eranad | Public Works Department (PWD) |
| Shri. N. Shamsudeen | IUML | Mannarkkad | General Education, Literacy Movement, Waqf, Hajj Pilgrimage, Minority Welfare |
| Shri. K. M. Shaji | IUML | Vengara | Local Self Government, Town Planning, Rural Development, Regional Development Authorities, KILA |
| Shri. V. E. Abdul Gafoor | IUML | Kalamassery | Fisheries, Harbour Engineering, Social Justice, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies |
| Smt. K. A. Thulasi | INC | Kongad | Development of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes Development, Backward Classes Development |
| Shri. O. J. Janeesh | INC | Kodungallur | Youth Affairs, Sports, Zoos, Museum, Registration, Archaeology, Archives |
| Shri. T. Siddique | INC | Kalpetta | Agriculture, Soil Survey & Soil Conservation, Kerala Agricultural University, Warehousing Corporation |
INFO PLUS
- First Chief Minister of Kerala: E. M. S. Namboodiripad. He led the first democratically elected Communist government in Kerala in 1957 and represented the Nileshwaram constituency.
- Longest Continuous Tenure as Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan served from May 25, 2016, to May 17, 2026, completing 9 years, 11 months, and 22 days in office without interruption.
- Longest Total Tenure as Chief Minister: E. K. Nayanar holds the record with a total of 10 years, 11 months, and 22 days (roughly 4,009 days) in office across three separate terms.
- Shortest Tenure as Chief Minister: C. H. Mohammed Koya, who served for 53 days in 1979. He is also the only Indian Union Muslim League leader to become Chief Minister of Kerala.
- Current Speaker of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly: Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan
- Current Deputy Speaker: Shanimol Usman
- Total Seats in the Kerala Legislative Assembly: 140
- Reserved Seats for Scheduled Castes (SC): 14
- Reserved Seats for Scheduled Tribes (ST): 2
- District with the Highest Number of Assembly Constituencies: Malappuram (16)
- District with the Lowest Number of Assembly Constituencies: Wayanad (3)
FAQs
E. M. S. Namboodiripad was the first Chief Minister of Kerala, serving from 5 April 1957 to 31 July 1959.
കേരളത്തിലെ ആദ്യ മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിയായിരുന്നു ഇ.എം.എസ്. നമ്പൂതിരിപ്പാട്. അദ്ദേഹം 1957 ഏപ്രിൽ 5 മുതൽ 1959 ജൂലൈ 31 വരെ അധികാരത്തിലിരുന്നു.
E. M. S. Namboodiripad’s government was dismissed in 1959 under Article 356 by the central government. 1959-ൽ കേന്ദ്രസർക്കാർ ആർട്ടിക്കിള് 356 പ്രകാരം ഇ.എം.എസ്. മന്ത്രിസഭയെ പിരിച്ചുവിട്ടു.
A. K. Antony, who became CM at the age of 36 in 1977, is the youngest to hold the office in Kerala.
1977-ൽ 36-ആം വയസ്സിൽ അധികാരത്തിൽ എത്തിയ എ.കെ. ആന്റണി കേരളത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും ചെറുപ്പമുള്ള മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി ആയിരുന്നു.
No, Kerala has never had a woman Chief Minister till 2025.
2025 വരെ കേരളത്തിൽ വനിത മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിയൊരാളും ഉണ്ടായിട്ടില്ല.
Pinarayi Vijayan is the only CM re-elected consecutively (2016 & 2021).
പിണറായി വിജയൻ ആണ് തുടർച്ചയായി രണ്ടുതവണ മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിയായ ഏക വ്യക്തി.
Puthuppally (Oommen Chandy) and Malampuzha (Nayanar, Achuthanandan) are the most CM-represented constituencies.
പുതുപ്പള്ളി (ഒമ്മൻ ചാണ്ടി)യും മലപ്പുഴ (നായനാർ, അച്യുതാനന്ദൻ)യും മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിമാരെ നൽകിയ പ്രമുഖ മണ്ഡലങ്ങളാണ്.
Rajendra Arlekar
E. K. Nayanar
Total tenure: 11 years, 11 months (across 3 terms)
Party: CPI(M)
E. K. Nayanar (during his 1996–2001 term)
A major decentralization initiative in Kerala.
