Odisha, a land of ancient temples, captivating beaches, and rich tribal heritage, has witnessed a diverse range of leaders as its Chief Ministers. From the days after India’s independence to the present, let’s delve into the list of individuals who have held this significant office.
The Early Years (1946 – 1977)
- Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab (1946 – 1950; 1956 – 1961): A prominent freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of Odisha after independence.
- Nabakrushna Choudhury (1950 – 1952; 1953 – 1956): Known for his administrative skills and social reforms.
- Biju Patnaik (1961 – 1963; 1990 – 1995): A charismatic leader and visionary credited with modernizing Odisha.
- Biren Mitra (1963 – 1965): Focused on agricultural development and social welfare.
- Sadashiva Tripathy (1965 – 1967): Emphasized education and industrialization.
- Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo (1967 – 1971): The last Maharaja of Patna to become Chief Minister.
- Biswanath Das (1971 – 1972): Known for his commitment to social justice.
- Nandini Satpathy (1972 – 1973; 1974 -1977): The first and only woman Chief Minister of Odisha to date.
Periods of Change and Consolidation (1977 – Present)
- Binayak Acharya (1976 – 1977): Brief tenure focused on stability.
- Nilamani Routray (1977 – 1980): Prioritized rural development and poverty alleviation.
- Janaki Ballabh Patnaik (1980 – 1989; 1995 – 1999): Known for his dedication to education and culture.
- Hemananda Biswal (1989 – 1990; 1999 – 2000): Championed tribal welfare and social upliftment.
- Giridhar Gamang (1999): Held the position for a short tenure.
- Naveen Patnaik (2000 – Present): The longest-serving Chief Minister of Odisha, known for disaster management, infrastructure development, and investment promotion.
Odisha cm List
| Name of the CM | Party | Constituency |
| Harekrushna Mahtab | INC | East Bhadrak |
| Nabakrushna Chaudhury (2 terms) | INC | Barchana |
| Harekrushna Mahtab | INC | SORO |
| President’s rule | ||
| Biju Patnaik | INC | Choudwar |
| Biren Mitra | INC | Cuttack City |
| Sadashiva Tripathy | INC | Omerkote |
| Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo | Swatantra Party | Bolangir |
| President’s rule | – | constituency |
| Bishwanath Das | Independent | Rourkela |
| Nandini Satpathy | INC | Cuttack |
| President’s rule | – | – |
| Nandini Satpathy | INC | Dhenkanal |
| President’s rule | – | – |
| Binayak Acharya | INC | Berhampur |
| President’s rule | – | – |
| Nilamani Routray | Janata party | Basudevpur |
| President’s rule | – | – |
| Janaki Ballabh Patnaik (2 terms) | INC | Athagarh |
| Hemananda Biswal | INC | Laikera |
| Biju Patnaik | janata dal | Bhubaneswar |
| janaki Ballabh Patnaik | INC | Begunia |
| Giridhar Gamang | INC | Laxmipur |
| Hemananda Biswal | INC | Laikera |
| Naveen Patnaik (5 terms) | BJD | Hinjili |
FAQs
- Who was the first Chief Minister of Odisha?
- Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab
- Who is the current Chief Minister of Odisha?
- Naveen Patnaik
- Who is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Odisha?
- Naveen Patnaik
- Has Odisha ever had a female Chief Minister?
- Yes, Nandini Satpathy served as the state’s first and only female Chief Minister.
- Where can I find more information about a specific Odisha Chief Minister?
- You can find resources on the Odisha government website, online encyclopedias like Wikipedia, and historical archives.