India's longest serving chief ministers: A detailed look at the record-breaking tenure

make chamling Served as Chief Minister of Sikkim From December 12, 1994 to May 26, 2019. His tenure lasted for more than 25 years, making him the longest serving Chief Minister in India. He held the post continuously for several terms, guiding the state for more than two decades and setting a national record for the longest tenure in the role. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Naveen Patnaik under Odisha From March 5, 2000 to June 11, 2024. His tenure in office exceeded 24 years, making him among India’s longest serving chief ministers. Patnaik served several consecutive terms and maintained steady control over the state’s administration, during which period he became one of the country’s most enduring political leaders. (PTI photo)

Jyoti Basu Served as Chief Minister of west bengal From June 21, 1977 to November 5, 2000. His tenure lasted for more than 23 years, making him one of India’s longest serving state leaders. Basu led the Left Front government for several terms and played a central role in shaping the political direction of West Bengal for more than two decades.

Gegong Apang Served as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Over 22 years in two different periods. His first term lasted from 18 January 1980 to 19 January 1999 and the second from 3 August 2003 to 9 April 2007. The combined duration of these tenures made him one of India’s longest serving Chief Ministers. (Image: Wikipedia)

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Speak under Mizoram Over 22 years through several non-consecutive terms. His period of tenure was from 5 May 1984 to 21 August 1986; From 24 January 1989 to 3 December 1998; And from December 11, 2008 to December 15, 2018. These tenures made him one of the longest serving chief ministers in the country with repeated returns to the leadership. (Image: Wikipedia)

Virbhadra Singh Served as Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Over 21 years in four terms. These were from 8 April 1983 to 5 March 1990; From 3 December 1993 to 24 March 1998; From 6 March 2003 to 30 December 2007; And from December 25, 2012 to December 27, 2017. Their combined tenure places them at the top among India’s longest serving state leaders. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Manik Sarkar led Tripura From 11 March 1998 to 9 March 2018. His tenure spanned more than 19 years, making him one of India’s longest serving chief ministers. Sarkar held office for four consecutive terms and oversaw the administration of the state for nearly two decades under the stable political structure created under his leadership. (PTI photo)

Nitish Kumar Has served as Chief Minister of Bihar Over several periods for about 19 years. His terms included 3 March 2000 to 11 March 2000; From 24 November 2005 to 20 May 2014; From 22 February 2015 to 19 November 2025; And from November 20, 2025 to present. These combined terms place him among India’s longest serving Chief Ministers. (PTI photo)

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Karunanidhi Served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Over 18 years in multiple tenures. The period of his tenure was from 10 February 1969 to 31 January 1976; From 27 January 1989 to 30 January 1991; From 13 May 1996 to 14 May 2001; And from 13 May 2006 to 16 May 2011. Under his leadership the politics of the state continued for several decades. (Image: Reuters)

Parkash Singh Badal Served as Chief Minister of Punjab Over a period of more than 18 years over several non-consecutive periods. These were from 27 March 1970 to 14 June 1971; From 20 June 1977 to 17 February 1980; From 12 February 1997 to 26 February 2002; And from 1 March 2007 to 16 March 2017. His total tenure made him one of India’s longest serving state leaders.