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Since independence, there have been only 18 female Chief Ministers in India. Rekha Gupta’s name was recently added to the list as Delhi’s 4th woman chief minister. Similarly, the current Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, was the only female CM in 2024. It all began with the first woman Chief Minister, Sucheta Kripalani in Uttar Pradesh from 1963 to 1967 who was also a part of the Constituent Assembly. From leading states to addressing critical issues, these women have proved that leadership knows no gender. Curious to learn more? Read this blog to learn all about the female Chief Ministers in India.
Female Chief Ministers in India
Table of Contents
India has witnessed the leadership of many women who have served as Chief Ministers of various states. Did you know that in 2024, Atishi Marlena became Delhi’s youngest woman Chief Minister? Here is a list of 18 female Chief Ministers in India along with their term in office.
| Name of Female CM | State/UT | Term in Office as CM |
| Sucheta Kripalani | Uttar Pradesh | 3 years and 162 days |
| Nandini Satpathy | Odisha | 4 years and 185 days |
| Shashikala Kakodkar | Goa | 5 years and 258 days |
| Anwara Taimur | Assam | 206 days |
| Vaikom Narayani Janaki Ramachandran | Tamil Nadu | 23 days |
| Jayaram Jayalalithaa | Tamil Nadu | 14 years and 124 days |
| Mayawati | Uttar Pradesh | 7 years and 5 days |
| Rajindra Kaur Bhattal | Punjab | 83 days |
| Rabri Devi | Bihar | 7 years and 190 days |
| Sushma Swaraj | National Capital Territory of Delhi | 52 days |
| Sheila Dikshit | National Capital Territory of Delhi | 15 years and 25 days |
| Uma Bharti | Madhya Pradesh | 259 days |
| Vasundhara Raje Scindia | Rajasthan | 10 years and 9 days |
| Mamata Banerjee | West Bengal | 14 years and 44 days |
| Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel | Gujarat | 2 years and 77 days |
| Mehbooba Mufti Sayed | Jammu and Kashmir | 2 years and 76 days |
| Atishi Marlena Singh | Delhi | 142 day |
| Rekha Gupta | Delhi | 86 days as of now May 2025 |
10 Famous Female Chief Ministers in India
Let’s explore the details of 10 famous female chief ministers in India, their backgrounds, and their major achievements.
Rekha Gupta
Rekha Gupta is a senior BJP leader and the newly elected Chief Minister of Delhi. Born in Haryana in 1974, she started her political journey as a student leader at Delhi University. She later became a councillor and held key positions in BJP. With strong leadership skills, she focuses on community development, women’s empowerment, and education. She won the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections from Shalimar Bagh with a big majority. Her journey from student politics to Chief Minister makes her an inspiring leader.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | Rekha Gupta |
| Born | July 19, 1974, Haryana |
| Education | B.Com from Delhi University; advanced degrees in Management and Arts |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Tenure as CM | 2025–Present |
| Notable Focus | Education, women’s empowerment, community welfare |
Atishi Marlena Singh
Atishi, born in 1981, is a prominent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and social activist. She became Delhi’s Chief Minister in September 2024, temporarily replacing Arvind Kejriwal after his arrest. As the third woman to hold the post, she focused on education reforms and public welfare. Atishi served until February 2025, when a fresh election was held. Prior to her political career, she earned two master’s degrees from Oxford and worked in rural India, promoting education reforms.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | Atishi Marlena Singh |
| Born | June 8, 1981, New Delhi |
| Education | Master’s in Philosophy, University of Delhi; Graduate studies at Oxford University |
| Political Party | Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) |
| Position | Education Minister, Delhi (not CM, but key leader) |
| Notable Focus | Public education reform, student welfare |
Mehbooba Mufti
Mehbooba Mufti is the first woman to become the Chief Minister of the state in 2016. She is a member of the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Before becoming CM, she served as a Member of Parliament and held various political positions. She resigned in 2018 after the BJP withdrew support. Known for her focus on development and peace, Mufti has been a strong voice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir throughout her career. She is also passionate about yoga and music.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | Mehbooba Mufti |
| Born | May 22, 1959, Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree, Aligarh Muslim University |
| Political Party | Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) |
| Tenure as CM | April 2016 – June 2018 |
| Notable Focus | Peace initiatives, women’s rights, regional development |
Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel
Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel is an Indian politician and the first woman Chief Minister of Gujarat. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 1987, she served in various ministerial roles before becoming the Chief Minister in 2014. She is also the current Governor of Uttar Pradesh. With a background in education, she was a retired principal and has contributed to literature through her writings. Anandiben is known for her dedication to public service and leadership, particularly in urban development and disaster management during her tenure as Gujarat’s CM.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel |
| Born | November 21, 1941, Gujarat |
| Education | Master’s in Arts |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Tenure as CM | 2014 – 2016 |
| Notable Focus | Education reforms, women empowerment, rural welfare |
Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee is the Chief Minister of West Bengal and Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). A determined leader, she ended 34 years of Communist rule in West Bengal in 2011 and was re-elected in 2016 and 2021. Known as Didi, she has held key ministerial roles in railways, coal, and women’s affairs. She is recognised for her grassroots politics, mass appeal, and strong stance on social justice. Despite facing challenges and criticism, she remains a dominant political figure in India. Beyond politics, she is a poet, writer, and artist, with her works contributing to social causes.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | Mamata Banerjee |
| Born | January 5, 1955, Kolkata, West Bengal |
| Education | Master’s in Arts from University of Calcutta |
| Political Party | All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) |
| Tenure as CM | 2011–Present |
| Notable Focus | Rural development, social welfare, and women’s rights |
Vasundhara Raje
Vasundhara Raje is a senior BJP leader and the first woman Chief Minister of Rajasthan, serving two terms (2003–08, 2013–18). Born into the royal Scindia family, she entered politics in 1984 and held key ministerial positions. As Chief Minister, she focused on infrastructure and women’s empowerment. Despite setbacks in 2008 and 2018, she remained a strong political force. She was re-elected to the Rajasthan assembly in 2023 as the BJP regained power.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | Vasundhara Raje Scindia |
| Born | March 8, 1953, Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Women’s empowerment, rural development, and infrastructure | Master’s in Arts |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Tenure as CM | 2003–2008, 2013–2018 |
| Notable Focus | Women’s empowerment, rural development, infrastructure |
Rabri Devi
Rabri Devi became the first woman Chief Minister of Bihar in 1997, stepping into politics from a homemaker’s life. She took charge during a politically sensitive time after her husband, Lalu Prasad Yadav, had to step down. With no formal political training, Rabri Devi led the state through three separate terms. Her journey stands out as an example of how leadership can emerge from unlikely beginnings.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | Rabri Devi Yadav |
| Born | March 1956, Gopalganj, Bihar |
| Education | No formal higher education |
| Political Party | Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) |
| Tenure as CM | 1997–2005 (Three terms) |
| Notable Focus | Rural welfare, social justice, women’s empowerment |
Sheila Dikshit
Sheila Dikshit served as the Chief Minister of Delhi for three consecutive terms, from 1998 to 2013, becoming the longest-serving woman CM of Delhi. Known for her focus on infrastructure, public transport, and urban development, she transformed the capital into a more connected and livable city. Her leadership left a lasting legacy on Delhi’s progress.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | Sheila Dikshit |
| Born | March 31, 1938, Kapurthala, Punjab |
| Education | Master’s in History from Delhi University |
| Urban infrastructure, public transport, and education | Indian National Congress |
| Tenure as CM | 1998–2013 |
| Notable Focus | Urban infrastructure, public transport, education |
J. Jayalalithaa
J. Jayalalithaa, a former film actress, rose to become one of Tamil Nadu’s most influential political figures. As Chief Minister, she led the state for over 14 years across multiple terms. Known for her welfare schemes and firm leadership, she earned mass popularity and was lovingly called Amma by her supporters.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | Jayaram Jayalalithaa |
| Born | February 24, 1948, Mysore (now Karnataka) |
| Education | Matriculated from Bishop Cotton Girls’ School; brief legal studies |
| Political Party | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) |
| Tenure as CM | 1991–2016 (multiple terms) |
| Notable Focus | Women’s welfare, free schemes, law and order |
Uma Bharti
Uma Bharti, known for her passionate speeches and dynamic presence, served as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in 2003. A prominent leader of the BJP, she began her political career at a young age and gained popularity during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. As CM, she focused on education and rural development before stepping down in 2004.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Name | Uma Bharti |
| Born | May 3, 1959, Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh |
| Education | Studied up to sixth grade, later self-educated |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Tenure as CM | December 2003 – August 2004 |
| Notable Focus | Rural upliftment, women’s safety, education |
Interesting Facts about the Female Chief Ministers
Here are a few interesting facts about the Female Chief Ministers in India:
- Sheila Dikshit, a member of the Indian National Congress, holds the record for the longest-serving female CM. Moreover, she led the National Capital Territory of Delhi for over 15 years.
- Jayaram Jayalalithaa of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam comes next with the second-longest tenure. Additionally, she was the first female Chief Minister to pass away while in office.
- On the other hand, Vaikom Narayani Janaki Ramachandran of the same state and party had the shortest tenure, serving only 23 days.
- Furthermore, out of India’s 28 states and 3 union territories with legislative systems, only 12 states and 1 union territory have had female CMs.
- Currently, Mamata Banerjee is the sole female incumbent Chief Minister in India, serving in West Bengal.
From early leaders like Sucheta Kripalani to influential figures like Jayalalithaa, Sheila Dikshit, Mamata Banerjee, and more recent names like Rekha Gupta and Atishi, female chief ministers in India have shown what strong, people-focused leadership looks like. Each of them brought their own vision, overcame unique challenges, and worked towards better governance and development in their states. Their growing presence in Indian politics is not just inspiring, it is a sign of positive change. As more women step into leadership roles, they continue to prove that determination, integrity, and public service are what truly define a leader.
FAQs
Ans. The first woman Chief Minister of India was Sucheta Kripalani. She became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1963 and served until 1967. As CM, she focused on administration, labour welfare, and women’s empowerment, making her a significant leader in Indian history.
Ans. India currently has 28 states and 8 Union Territories (not 29 states). Each state is led by a Chief Minister (CM), elected by the ruling party. Therefore, there is no single CM of all 29 states.
Ans. The first Dalit woman Chief Minister of India was Mayawati. She became the CM of Uttar Pradesh for the first time in 1995. A leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), she worked towards the upliftment of Dalits and marginalised communities.
Ans. The first Chief Minister of India was Govind Ballabh Pant. He became the CM of Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state, in 1950 after independence. He was a freedom fighter and played a key role in India’s governance.
Ans. The first female Chief Justice of India was Justice Leila Seth. She became the first woman Chief Justice of a High Court (Himachal Pradesh) in 1991. However, India has not yet had a woman Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
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