Bihar Chief Ministers Timeline: First CM, Current CM, Tenure & Party Details
The List of Chief Ministers of Bihar is an important topic in Indian Polity and General Knowledge. Bihar, one of the oldest states in India with a rich historical and political legacy, has witnessed several influential leaders since independence. The Chief Minister is the executive head of the state government and plays a crucial role in administration, development, and law-making. This topic is highly relevant for competitive exams such as UPSC, BPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, and other state-level examinations.
About the Chief Minister of Bihar
The Chief Minister of Bihar is appointed by the Governor of Bihar and is usually the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. The Chief Minister heads the Council of Ministers and is responsible for running the state administration according to the Constitution of India.
Key Responsibilities
- Formulating and implementing state policies.
- Advising the Governor on various constitutional matters.
- Leading the Council of Ministers.
- Maintaining law and order in the state.
- Representing Bihar in national forums such as NITI Aayog meetings.
List of Chief Ministers of Bihar
| S.No | Name of Chief Minister | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sri Krishna Sinha | 1946 - 1961 |
| 2 | Deep Narayan Singh | 1961 - 1963 |
| 3 | Binodanand Jha | 1963 - 1967 |
| 4 | Mahamaya Prasad Sinha | 1967 - 1968 |
| 5 | Satish Prasad Singh | 1968 |
| 6 | B P Mandal | 1968 |
| 7 | Bhola Paswan Shastri | 1968 - 1969, 1969 - 1972, 1977 - 1979 |
| 8 | Daroga Prasad Rai | 1970 - 1971 |
| 9 | Karpoori Thakur | 1970 - 1971, 1977 - 1979 |
| 10 | Kedar Pandey | 1972 - 1973 |
| 11 | Abdul Ghafoor | 1973 - 1975 |
| 12 | Jagannath Mishra | 1975 - 1977, 1980 - 1983, 1989 - 1990 |
| 13 | Chandrashekhar Singh | 1983 - 1985 |
| 14 | Bindeshwari Dubey | 1985 - 1988 |
| 15 | Bhagwat Jha Azad | 1988 - 1989 |
| 16 | Lalu Prasad Yadav | 1990 - 1997 |
| 17 | Rabri Devi | 1997 - 2005 |
| 18 | Nitish Kumar | 2005 - Present |
The above table lists all the individuals who have served as the Chief Minister of Bihar since independence. Some leaders have served multiple terms, reflecting political shifts and coalition changes in the state. Nitish Kumar is one of the longest-serving Chief Ministers of Bihar.
Important Facts About Bihar Chief Ministers
- First Chief Minister of Bihar - Sri Krishna Sinha.
- First woman Chief Minister of Bihar - Rabri Devi.
- Longest-serving Chief Minister - Nitish Kumar.
- Shortest tenure - Satish Prasad Singh served for only a few days in 1968.
- Several Chief Ministers served multiple non-consecutive terms.
Constitutional Provisions Related to Chief Minister
The position of the Chief Minister is defined under Article 164 of the Indian Constitution. The Governor appoints the Chief Minister, and other ministers are appointed on the advice of the Chief Minister. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the State Legislative Assembly.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Must be a member of the State Legislature or become one within six months.
- Must not hold any office of profit.
Why This Topic is Important for Exams
Questions related to the List of Chief Ministers of Bihar are frequently asked in state-level exams like BPSC, Bihar Police, and other competitive examinations. Candidates are often asked about the first Chief Minister, longest-serving Chief Minister, or specific tenure periods. Understanding political developments in Bihar also helps in current affairs preparation.
Preparation Tips
- Memorize the first and current Chief Ministers.
- Focus on leaders who served multiple terms.
- Revise important years and political transitions.
- Stay updated with current political developments in Bihar.
A clear understanding of the List of Chief Ministers of Bihar not only strengthens your General Knowledge but also builds a solid foundation in Indian Polity and State Administration. Regular revision of such factual topics ensures better performance in competitive examinations.
FAQs on List of Chief Ministers of Bihar from 1947 to Present
1. Who was the first Chief Minister of Bihar?
The first Chief Minister of Bihar was Dr. Sri Krishna Singh, who played a key role in shaping modern Bihar.
• Served from 1946 to 1961
• Also known as Shri Babu
• Led Bihar during the early post-independence period
• Focused on industrial development and social reforms
This is an important fact in the List of CM of Bihar for GK, UPSC, BPSC, and other competitive exams.
2. Who is the current Chief Minister of Bihar?
The current Chief Minister of Bihar is Nitish Kumar, one of the longest-serving leaders in the state.
• Leader of Janata Dal (United)
• First became CM in 2005
• Known for governance reforms and infrastructure development
• Has served multiple terms as Bihar CM
His tenure is a frequently asked topic in Bihar political history and general knowledge exams.
3. How many Chief Ministers has Bihar had so far?
Bihar has had more than 20 Chief Ministers since independence, including multiple terms by some leaders.
• First CM: Dr. Sri Krishna Singh
• Longest-serving CM: Nitish Kumar
• Several leaders served short-term governments
The exact number may vary depending on counting multiple terms, making it an important fact in the complete list of CM of Bihar.
4. Who was the first woman Chief Minister of Bihar?
The first woman Chief Minister of Bihar was Rabri Devi.
• Served from 1997 to 2005 (with brief interruptions)
• Member of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
• One of the few women CMs in Indian political history
Her tenure is significant in discussions about women leadership in Bihar politics and state governance.
5. Who served the longest term as Chief Minister of Bihar?
The longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar is Nitish Kumar.
• In office since 2005 (multiple terms)
• Known for development initiatives and governance reforms
• Played a major role in Bihar's political landscape
This fact is frequently asked in state GK, BPSC, SSC, and UPSC exams.
6. Who served the shortest term as Chief Minister of Bihar?
Some Chief Ministers of Bihar served very short terms due to political instability and President’s Rule.
• Satish Prasad Singh served for only a few days in 1968
• Several short-term governments occurred in the late 1960s and 1970s
• Political coalitions often led to brief tenures
This is an important topic under Bihar political timeline and competitive exam GK.
7. What is the role of the Chief Minister of Bihar?
The Chief Minister of Bihar is the executive head of the state government.
• Leads the State Council of Ministers
• Advises the Governor of Bihar
• Responsible for policy decisions and administration
• Oversees law, order, and development programs
The role of CM is defined under the Indian Constitution and is a key topic in civics and polity GK.
8. Where can I find the complete list of Chief Ministers of Bihar?
The complete list of Chief Ministers of Bihar includes all leaders from 1946 to the present.
• Begins with Dr. Sri Krishna Singh
• Includes leaders like Karpuri Thakur, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Nitish Kumar
• Covers different political parties and coalitions
This list is important for Bihar GK, political history, and competitive exam preparation.
9. Who was the Chief Minister of Bihar during the Emergency period?
During the Emergency period (1975–1977), Bihar had different political leadership phases.
• Jagannath Mishra was a prominent CM during the mid-1970s
• The period saw strong central government influence
• Important era in Indian political history
This question is commonly asked in exams related to the Emergency and Bihar governance.
10. Why is the list of Chief Ministers of Bihar important for competitive exams?
The list of Chief Ministers of Bihar is important because it forms a key part of state-level General Knowledge and polity.
• Frequently asked in BPSC, UPSC, SSC, Railways, and State PSC exams
• Helps understand Bihar political history and governance
• Important for interviews and current affairs preparation
Knowing the List of CM of Bihar improves accuracy in objective and descriptive exam questions.
