List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh (1950–2026): Full List

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh heads the state government and holds real executive authority, even though the Governor is technically the constitutional head. After every state election, the Governor invites the party or alliance with a majority in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly to form the government, and appoints its leader as Chief Minister.

This Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministers List is one of the most consistently tested topics in UP-specific and national-level competitive exams — UPPSC, UPSSSC, SSC, banking, railways, and teaching exams all draw on it regularly. Because UP is India's most politically significant state, its leadership history also doubles as a shortcut to understanding several major shifts in Indian politics — from Congress dominance, to the rise of regional parties, to the current BJP government.

Full List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh with Tenure

Below is the complete list of Chief Ministers of UP, along with tenure and party details.

Note: Ten periods of President's Rule (1968, 1970, 1973, 1975–76, 1977, 1980, 1992–93, 1995–96, 2002) fall between these terms and are covered in Section 4.

Profile of Key Chief Ministers of UP

1. Govind Ballabh Pant (1950–1954)

The first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Pant had already led the state as Premier of the United Provinces before independence. He focused on education and social reform and later went on to serve as Union Home Minister.

2. Sampurnanand (1954–1960)

UP's second CM and, until Yogi Adityanath, its longest continuously serving one. A scholar and writer, he emphasised Hindi-medium education and cultural development during his term.

3. Sucheta Kripalani (1963–1967)

Not just UP's first woman Chief Minister — she was India's first woman Chief Minister of any state. A freedom fighter closely associated with the independence movement, her appointment was a landmark moment for women in Indian politics.

4. Charan Singh (1967–1970, two terms)

A farmer-leader-turned-politician, Charan Singh built his political base on agrarian issues and later became Prime Minister of India in 1979 — one of two UP Chief Ministers to reach that office.

5. Vishwanath Pratap (V. P.) Singh (1980–1982)

Best known nationally for later becoming India's 7th Prime Minister, Singh's UP tenure was marked by a tough stance on dacoity, including operations against the Phoolan Devi gang.

6. Mulayam Singh Yadav (three terms, 1989–2007 across gaps)

Founder of the Samajwadi Party, Mulayam Singh Yadav was one of UP's most influential political figures, serving three separate terms and shaping the state's socialist and OBC-focused politics for decades.

7. Kalyan Singh (1991–1992, 1997–1999)

A BJP stalwart, Kalyan Singh's first term coincided with the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, one of the most significant events in the state's modern political history.

8. Mayawati (four terms, 1995–2012 across gaps)

UP's longest-serving woman Chief Minister and the first Dalit woman to hold the post anywhere in India, Mayawati led the Bahujan Samaj Party through four separate terms, becoming one of the state's most consequential leaders.

9. Akhilesh Yadav (2012–2017)

Taking office at just 38, Akhilesh Yadav is the youngest person to serve as UP's Chief Minister. He is also one of only three CMs in the state's history to complete a full, uninterrupted five-year term.

10. Yogi Adityanath (2017–present)

UP's current and longest-serving Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath is also a Hindu monk and head priest of the Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur. He is the first UP CM to complete a full five-year term and be re-elected for a second consecutive term, making him the state's longest-serving CM by total tenure.

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Current Chief Minister of UP – Yogi Adityanath

Yogi Adityanath is the 21st and current Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, in office since 19 March 2017. Born Ajay Mohan Singh Bisht on 5 June 1972, he is a Hindu monk and serves as the head priest (Mahant) of the Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur, alongside his role in government.

Before becoming Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath represented the Gorakhpur constituency in the Lok Sabha for five consecutive terms, from 1998 to 2017, giving him nearly two decades of parliamentary experience before he moved to state politics.

He made history in 2022 by becoming the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to complete a full five-year term and return to power for a second consecutive term — a feat only Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav had come close to by completing one full term each. This has also made him the longest-serving Chief Minister in the state's history, surpassing Sampurnanand's earlier record.

His tenure has been marked by a strong focus on law and order, infrastructure development, and large-scale religious and cultural projects, particularly around Ayodhya and the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. He governs with the support of two Deputy Chief Ministers, reflecting the scale of the coalition-style leadership structure BJP has used in the state.

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Quick Facts:

 

President's Rule in Uttar Pradesh — A Frequently Missed Topic

A detail many exam guides skip: Uttar Pradesh has come under President's Rule 10 times, most recently in 2002. During President's Rule, the state's council of ministers is dissolved and the Chief Minister's post lies vacant, with the Governor (on behalf of the President) directly administering the state.

This matters for exam questions like "how many Chief Ministers has UP had" — the count of 21 individuals does not include these gap periods, and confusing the two is one of the most common mistakes aspirants make.

How the Chief Minister of UP Is Appointed

1. State elections are held for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
2. The Governor invites the party or coalition with a majority of seats to form the government.
3. The majority party's leader is appointed Chief Minister by the Governor.
4. The Chief Minister and Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly.
5. The CM's term lasts five years, subject to continued confidence of the assembly, with no limit on the number of terms a person may serve.

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Powers and Role of the UP Chief Minister

• Head of government: Runs the day-to-day administration of the state
• Leader of the House: Leads proceedings in the Legislative Assembly
• Advises the Governor: On the appointment of ministers and major state decisions
• Oversees departments: Including home, finance, health, and education
• Implements policy: Executes state laws and government schemes

Key Facts and Records Every Aspirant Should Know