List of Environment Ministers of India
List of all Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministers of India from 1947 to 2026, with their party, dates, and total time in office.
First Minister
Rajiv Gandhi (1985)
Assumed office 15 Aug 1947
Current Incumbent
Bhupender Yadav
Serving Union Minister
Unique Ministers
18 Ministers
Post-independence 1947–2026
Longest Tenure
Kamal Nath (4 yrs, 76 days)
Historic milestone service
| # | Minister | Party | From | To | Duration | Constituency | House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
RG
Rajiv Gandhi Ministry Founder
|
Indian National Congress | 31 Dec 1984 | 22 Oct 1986 | 1 yr, 295 days | Amethi | Lok Sabha |
| #2 |
BL
Bhajan Lal
|
Indian National Congress | 22 Oct 1986 | 14 Feb 1988 | 1 yr, 115 days | Faridabad | Lok Sabha |
| #3 |
ZA
Z. R. Ansari
|
Indian National Congress | 25 Jun 1988 | 2 Dec 1989 | 1 yr, 160 days | Unnao | Lok Sabha |
| #4 |
MG
Maneka Gandhi 1st Term
|
Janata Dal | 6 Dec 1989 | 10 Nov 1990 | 339 days | Pilibhit | Lok Sabha |
| #5 |
KN
Kamal Nath Rio Summit 1992
|
Indian National Congress | 21 Jun 1991 | 15 Sep 1995 | 4 yrs, 86 days | Chhindwara | Lok Sabha |
| #6 |
RP
Rajesh Pilot
|
Indian National Congress | 15 Sep 1995 | 16 May 1996 | 244 days | Dausa | Lok Sabha |
| #7 |
SS
Saifuddin Soz
|
Jammu & Kashmir National Conference | 21 Feb 1997 | 19 Mar 1998 | 1 yr, 26 days | Baramulla | Lok Sabha |
| #8 |
SP
Suresh Prabhu
|
Shiv Sena | 19 Mar 1998 | 13 Oct 1999 | 1 yr, 208 days | Rajapur | Lok Sabha |
| #9 |
TB
T. R. Baalu
|
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 13 Oct 1999 | 21 Dec 2003 | 4 yrs, 69 days | Chennai South | Lok Sabha |
| #10 |
AR
A. Raja
|
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 23 May 2004 | 15 May 2007 | 2 yrs, 357 days | Perambalur | Lok Sabha |
| #11 |
JR
Jairam Ramesh
|
Indian National Congress | 28 May 2009 | 12 Jul 2011 | 2 yrs, 45 days | Andhra Pradesh | Rajya Sabha |
| #12 |
JN
Jayanthi Natarajan
|
Indian National Congress | 12 Jul 2011 | 21 Dec 2013 | 2 yrs, 162 days | Tamil Nadu | Rajya Sabha |
| #13 |
PJ
Prakash Javadekar Paris Agreement
|
Bharatiya Janata Party | 26 May 2014 | 5 Jul 2016 | 2 yrs, 40 days | Madhya Pradesh | Rajya Sabha |
| #14 |
AD
Anil Madhav Dave
|
Bharatiya Janata Party | 5 Jul 2016 | 18 May 2017 | 317 days | Madhya Pradesh | Rajya Sabha |
| #15 |
HV
Dr. Harsh Vardhan
|
Bharatiya Janata Party | 18 May 2017 | 30 May 2019 | 2 yrs, 12 days | Chandni Chowk | Lok Sabha |
| #16 |
PJ
Prakash Javadekar 2nd Term
|
Bharatiya Janata Party | 31 May 2019 | 7 Jul 2021 | 2 yrs, 37 days | Maharashtra | Rajya Sabha |
| #17 |
BY
Bhupender Yadav Incumbent
|
Bharatiya Janata Party | 7 Jul 2021 | Present | Serving | Alwar | Lok Sabha |
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Ministry of Environment and Forests created in India?
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi established a standalone Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1985, holding the portfolio himself during its inception.
Who is the current Environment Minister of India?
Bhupender Yadav has been serving as the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change since 7 July 2021, reappointed in June 2024.
Who was the longest-serving Environment Minister of India?
Kamal Nath served as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests for 4 years and 76 days from June 1991 to September 1995, representing India at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.