Recently, Atishi Marlena Singh, Delhi’s former Education Minister, was named the next Chief Minister of Delhi by Arvind Kejiriwal following discussions within the party.
Arvind Kejriwal resigned from his post on Tuesday following a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. Atishi, who manages several key portfolios, is appointed as Delhi’s third woman Chief Minister after Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit, and has become the youngest to hold this position.
List of women Chief Ministers of India
| S.No. | Name | State | Party | Term |
| 1 | Atishi Marlena Singh | Delhi | Aam Aadmi Party | September 15, 2024 – February 2025 (Interim) |
| 2 | Mamata Banerjee | West Bengal | All India Trinamool Congress | May 2011 – Present |
| 3 | Vasundhara Raje | Rajasthan | Bharatiya Janata Party | December 2003 – December 2008 (1st term); December 2013 – 2018 |
| 4 | Anandiben Patel | Gujarat | Bharatiya Janata Party | May 2014 – August 2016 |
| 5 | Mehbooba Mufti | Jammu and Kashmir | People’s Democratic Party | April 4, 2016 – June 19, 2018 |
| 6 | J Jayalalithaa | Tamil Nadu | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | June 1991 – May 1996; May 2001 – September 2001; March 2002 – May 2006; May 2011 – September 2014; May 2015 – 2016 |
| 7 | Mayawati | Uttar Pradesh | Bahujan Samaj Party | June 1995 – October 1995; March 1997 – September 1997; May 2002 – August 2003; May 2007 – March 2012 |
| 8 | Sheila Dikshit | Delhi | Indian National Congress | December 1998 – December 2013 |
| 9 | Sushma Swaraj | Delhi | Bharatiya Janata Party | October 1998 – December 1998 |
| 10 | Uma Bharati | Madhya Pradesh | Bharatiya Janata Party | December 2003 – August 2004 |
| 11 | Rabri Devi | Bihar | Rashtriya Janata Dal | July 1997 – February 1999; March 1999 – March 2000; March 2000 – March 2005 |
| 12 | Rajinder Kaur Bhattal | Punjab | Indian National Congress | January 1996 – February 1997 |
| 13 | Nandini Satpathy | Odisha | Indian National Congress | June 1972 – March 1973; March 1974 – December 1976 |
| 14 | Shashikala Kakodkar | Goa | Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party | August 1973 – April 1979 |
| 15 | Syeda Anwara Taimur | Assam | Indian National Congress | December 1980 – June 1981 |
| 16 | Janaki Ramachandran | Tamil Nadu | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | January 7, 1988 – January 30, 1988 |
| 17 | Sucheta Kriplani | United Provinces (present-day Uttar Pradesh) | Indian National Congress | October 1963 – March 1967 |
All women Chief Ministers of India from 1963 to today
Atishi Marlena Singh
Atishi Marlena Singh is set to become India’s youngest Chief Minister and Delhi’s third woman CM, following Sheila Dikshit and Sushma Swaraj. Formerly serving as Delhi’s Education Minister, and now she is all set to take the oath as Delhi’s new Chief Minister, likely September 26-27, after Arvind Kejriwal resignation.
Mehbooba Mufti
Mehbooba Mufti became the first woman Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in 2016, following the death of her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Leading the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), her tenure was marked by political challenges in the region. She emphasized peace-building and dialogue but faced significant unrest during her leadership.
Anandi Ben Patel
Anandi Ben Patel served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2014 to 2016, succeeding Narendra Modi. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, she focused on social development, women’s empowerment, and rural development during her tenure. She later became the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, continuing her political career in a different capacity.
Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee, leader of the All India Trinamool Congress, became the first woman Chief Minister of West Bengal in 2011. Known for her grassroots leadership, she has focused on social welfare, economic development, and reducing corruption.
Vasundhara Raje
Vasundhara Raje, a senior BJP leader, served as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan in two terms: 2003-2008 and 2013-2018. Known for her leadership and administrative skills, she implemented several development programs focused on infrastructure, women’s empowerment, and economic growth, making her one of Rajasthan’s most prominent political figures.
Uma Bharti
Uma Bharti, a firebrand leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, served as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh from December 2003 to August 2004. Known for her Hindutva ideology, Bharti focused on improving the state’s infrastructure and agricultural sectors. She remains a key figure in Indian politics, particularly in central India.
Sheila Dikshit
Sheila Dikshit served as Delhi’s Chief Minister for 15 years (1998-2013), making her the longest-serving woman CM in India. Under her leadership, Delhi saw significant infrastructure improvements, including the expansion of the metro and beautification projects. She was known for her efforts to make Delhi a modern city and improve its governance.
Sushma Swaraj
Sushma Swaraj briefly served as the Chief Minister of Delhi in 1998, making her the first woman to hold the position. A senior BJP leader, she later became a prominent national figure, known for her work as India’s External Affairs Minister, where she was widely respected for her diplomatic efforts and outreach to citizens abroad.
Rabri Devi
Rabri Devi became the Chief Minister of Bihar after her husband, Lalu Prasad Yadav, stepped down. Serving three terms between 1997 and 2005, she was the first woman to hold the office in Bihar. Despite facing criticism for her lack of political experience, she remained a key figure in Bihar politics.
Rajinder Kaur Bhattal
Rajinder Kaur Bhattal served as Punjab’s first woman Chief Minister from January 1996 to February 1997. A member of the Indian National Congress, she played a crucial role in stabilizing the state’s political landscape following years of unrest. Her leadership focused on agricultural reforms and improving rural infrastructure.
Mayawati
Mayawati, leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), served four terms as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Known for her focus on uplifting Dalits and marginalized communities, her leadership emphasized infrastructure development, law and order, and social welfare programs, making her one of the most influential political leaders in the state.
J. Jayalalithaa
J. Jayalalithaa served five terms as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu between 1991 and 2016. A dominant figure in the state’s politics, she was known for her populist welfare schemes and strong leadership. She transformed AIADMK into a powerful political force and left an enduring legacy in Tamil Nadu’s political history.
Janaki Ramachandran
Janaki Ramachandran served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for a brief period in January 1988, following the death of her husband, M. G. Ramachandran. As the leader of AIADMK, her term lasted just 23 days, making it the shortest in Indian history. Her tenure marked a period of political turmoil.
Syeda Anwara Taimur
Syeda Anwara Taimur became the first and only woman to serve as Chief Minister of Assam, holding office from December 1980 to June 1981. A member of the Indian National Congress, she focused on improving Assam’s infrastructure and agricultural sectors, though her brief term was marked by political instability in the region.
Shashikala Kakodkar
Shashikala Kakodkar served as the Chief Minister of Goa from August 1973 to April 1979. She was a member of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and succeeded her father in office. Kakodkar worked to maintain Goa’s unique cultural identity and was involved in various development projects for the state during her term.
Nandini Satpathy
Nandini Satpathy, a prominent leader from Odisha, served as the state’s Chief Minister from June 1972 to March 1973 and again from March 1974 to December 1976. Known for her strong political will, she emphasized the development of education, social welfare, and agricultural reforms during her leadership, leaving a lasting impact on the state.
Sucheta Kriplani
Sucheta Kriplani became India’s first woman Chief Minister, serving the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) from October 1963 to March 1967. A freedom fighter and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, she played a significant role in the Quit India Movement and focused on social welfare and women’s empowerment during her tenure.
Also read: PM Modi’s birthday gift auction: Ram Temple models, Paralympic Memorabilia, and more available for auction from September 17 to October 2; know how to participate
