List of Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu

Discover the comprehensive chronological directory of all Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu (and Madras State) from 1950 to 2026. Explore their political parties, terms, constituencies, and historical legacies.

Total Terms

24 Terms

14 Distinct Leaders

Current Chief Minister

C. Joseph Vijay

TVK

Longest Serving CM

M. Karunanidhi

18 yrs, 360 days

First Chief Minister

P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja

1950 (Madras State)

#	Chief Minister	Party	Alliance	Took Office – Left Office	Duration / Term
1	PR P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja Srivilliputhur	INC	INDIA	26 Jan 1950 – 9 Apr 1952	2 yrs, 74 days
2	CR C. Rajagopalachari MLC	INC	INDIA	10 Apr 1952 – 13 Apr 1954	2 yrs, 3 days
3	KK K. Kamaraj Gudiyatham / Sattur	INC	INDIA	13 Apr 1954 – 2 Oct 1963	9 yrs, 172 days
4	MB M. Bhaktavatsalam Sriperumbudur	INC	INDIA	2 Oct 1963 – 6 Mar 1967	3 yrs, 155 days
5	CA C. N. Annadurai MLC	DMK	INDIA	6 Mar 1967 – 3 Feb 1969	1 yr, 334 days
6	VN V. R. Nedunchezhiyan Triplicane	DMK	INDIA	3 Feb 1969 – 10 Feb 1969	7 days
7	MK M. Karunanidhi Saidapet	DMK	INDIA	10 Feb 1969 – 31 Jan 1976	6 yrs, 355 days
8	MR M. G. Ramachandran Aruppukkottai	AIADMK	NDA	30 Jun 1977 – 17 Feb 1980	2 yrs, 232 days
9	MR M. G. Ramachandran Madurai West / Andipatti	AIADMK	NDA	9 Jun 1980 – 24 Dec 1987	7 yrs, 198 days
10	VJ V. N. Janaki Nominated	AIADMK	NDA	7 Jan 1988 – 30 Jan 1988	23 days
11	MK M. Karunanidhi Harbour	DMK	INDIA	27 Jan 1989 – 30 Jan 1991	2 yrs, 3 days
12	JJ J. Jayalalithaa Bargur	AIADMK	NDA	24 Jun 1991 – 12 May 1996	4 yrs, 323 days
13	MK M. Karunanidhi Chepauk	DMK	INDIA	13 May 1996 – 13 May 2001	5 yrs, 0 days
14	JJ J. Jayalalithaa Andipatti	AIADMK	NDA	14 May 2001 – 21 Sep 2001	130 days
15	OP O. Panneerselvam Periyakulam	AIADMK	NDA	21 Sep 2001 – 1 Mar 2002	161 days
16	JJ J. Jayalalithaa Andipatti	AIADMK	NDA	2 Mar 2002 – 12 May 2006	4 yrs, 71 days
17	MK M. Karunanidhi Chepauk	DMK	INDIA	13 May 2006 – 15 May 2011	5 yrs, 2 days
18	JJ J. Jayalalithaa Srirangam	AIADMK	NDA	16 May 2011 – 27 Sep 2014	3 yrs, 134 days
19	OP O. Panneerselvam Bodinayakanur	AIADMK	NDA	29 Sep 2014 – 22 May 2015	235 days
20	JJ J. Jayalalithaa Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar	AIADMK	NDA	23 May 2015 – 5 Dec 2016	1 yr, 196 days
21	OP O. Panneerselvam Bodinayakanur	AIADMK	NDA	6 Dec 2016 – 15 Feb 2017	71 days
22	EP Edappadi K. Palaniswami Edappadi	AIADMK	NDA	16 Feb 2017 – 6 May 2021	4 yrs, 79 days
23	MS M. K. Stalin Kolathur	DMK	INDIA	7 May 2021 – 5 May 2026	4 yrs, 363 days
24	CV C. Joseph Vijay Vikravandi	TVK	Other	6 May 2026 – Incumbent	1st Term (Active)

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Frequently Asked Questions about Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers

Who is the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu?

Shri C. Joseph Vijay is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, leading the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Who was the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu?

P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja was the first Chief Minister of Madras State under the Constitution of India in 1950. C. N. Annadurai was the first CM after Madras State was renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969.

Who was the longest-serving Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu?

M. Karunanidhi holds the record as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, serving across 5 distinct terms totaling nearly 19 years in office.

Who was the first woman Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu?

V. N. Janaki Ramachandran was the first woman Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, serving briefly in January 1988, followed by J. Jayalalithaa who served 6 terms.

Which major Dravidian parties have dominated Tamil Nadu politics?

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) have alternated power in Tamil Nadu since 1967.

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