Table of Contents
Who Is V.D. Satheesan?
- Indian National Congress · 13th CM – 2026 Election Victory
Leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and veteran MLA from Paravur, Ernakulam. He has represented the Paravur constituency for 25 years, having first won the seat in 2001. He is Kerala’s 13th Chief Minister.
- Constituency – Paravur, Ernakulam
- Sworn in 18 May 2026
2026 Election Victory
- Total Votes – 78,658 votes
- Margin: 20,600
- Consecutive MLA Terms 6 terms (since 2001)
Complete List of Chief Ministers of Kerala (1957–2026)
1: Who was the first woman President of India?
Since Kerala’s formation on 1 November 1956 under the States Re-organisation Act, the state has held 16 Legislative Assembly elections and been governed by 13 individuals as Chief Minister. Power has consistently alternated between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the CPI(M) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) led by Congress.
| # | Chief Minister | Party | Term(s) | Constituency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E.M.S. Namboodiripad | CPI | 1957–1959 · 1967–1969 | Nileshwaram · Pattambi |
| 2 | Pattom A. Thanu Pillai | PSP | 1960–1962 | Thiruvananthapuram II |
| 3 | R. Sankar | INC | 1962–1964 | Kannur I |
| 4 | C. Achutha Menon | CPI | 1969–1977 (two terms) | Kottarakkara · Kodakara |
| 5 | K. Karunakaran | INC | 1977 · 1981–82 · 1982–87 · 1991–95 (four times) | Mala |
| 6 | A.K. Antony | INC | 1977–78 · 1995–96 · 2001–04 | Kazhakootam · Tirurangadi · Cherthala |
| 7 | P.K. Vasudevan Nair | CPI | 1978–1979 | Alappuzha |
| 8 | C.H. Mohammed Koya | IUML | 1979 (53 days) | Malappuram |
| 9 | E.K. Nayanar | CPI(M) | 1980–81 · 1987–91 · 1996–2001 (three times) | Malampuzha · Thrikaripur · Thalassery |
| 10 | Oommen Chandy | INC | 2004–06 · 2011–16 | Puthuppally |
| 11 | V.S. Achuthanandan | CPI(M) | 2006–2011 | Malampuzha |
| 12 | Pinarayi Vijayan | CPI(M) | 2016–2021 · 2021–2026 | Dharmadam |
| 13 | V.D. Satheesan | INC | 18 May 2026 – Present | Paravur |
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Start Learning!Kerala Chief Minister Records & Milestones
Kerala’s political history is rich with notable records. Here are the most significant ones among all Chief Ministers of Kerala:
| Category | Name | Party | Key Details |
| Longest Serving | E.K. Nayanar | CPI(M) | 10 years, 353 days (across 3 terms) |
| Most Times Sworn In | K. Karunakaran | INC | Sworn in 4 times as Chief Minister |
| Youngest CM | A.K. Antony | INC | Sworn in at age 36 |
| Oldest to be Sworn In | V.S. Achuthanandan | CPI(M) | Sworn in at age 82 |
| First Chief Minister | E.M.S. Namboodiripad | CPI | First elected CM of Kerala (1957) |
| Shortest Tenure | C.H. Mohammed Koya | IUML | Only 53 days in office |
Party-wise Share of Power in Kerala
Since 1957, power in Kerala has been dominated by two Left parties and the Indian National Congress. The CPI(M) and Congress together account for nearly 80% of the state’s governing years.
Is Pinarayi Vijayan CPI(M) or CPI?
- Pinarayi Vijayan is a member of CPI(M)
Pinarayi Vijayan belongs to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) — CPI(M), which is a different party from the Communist Party of India (CPI). The two parties, though both communist, have been separate entities since the CPI(M) split from the CPI in 1964.
Vijayan served as Kerala’s 12th Chief Minister from 25 May 2016 to 18 May 2026 — completing two consecutive terms, a historic achievement in Kerala politics. He represents the Dharmadam constituency in Kannur district. He is one of the longest-serving CMs of Kerala with a total tenure of approximately 9 years and 355 days.
Under his tenure, Kerala became the first state in India to achieve 100% primary education and made significant progress in health infrastructure, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Start Learning!Is BJP Present in Kerala? What is the BJP’s Position?
- Yes, BJP is active in Kerala but has limited electoral success
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is present in Kerala and contests elections, but it has never formed a government or held the Chief Minister’s post. Kerala’s politics has historically been dominated by the LDF (Left Democratic Front) and UDF (United Democratic Front) coalitions.
The BJP has had marginal success in Kerala, winning a seat in the 2016 Assembly elections (its first-ever seat in the Kerala Legislative Assembly — O. Rajagopal from Nemom). However, in subsequent elections in 2021 and 2026, the BJP has struggled to expand its presence significantly.
Kerala’s political culture, strong trade union movement, and the dominance of the Congress–Left alternation has made it difficult for the BJP to gain a significant foothold compared to its national strength.
Chief Ministers of Kerala Malayalam Quiz 2026 — മലയാളം ചോദ്യോത്തരം
കേരളത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും പുതിയ മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി ആരാണ്?
- 2026 മേയ് 18-ന് അധികാരമേറ്റ വി.ഡി. സതീശൻ ആണ് കേരളത്തിലെ ഇപ്പോഴത്തെ (2026) മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി. കോൺഗ്രസ് നേതൃത്വത്തിലുള്ള UDF 2026-ലെ നിയമസഭാ തിരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പിൽ ഭൂരിപക്ഷം നേടിയതിനെ തുടർന്ന് അദ്ദേഹം കേരളത്തിന്റെ 13-ാമത്തെ മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിയായി.
കേരളത്തിൽ ബിജെപി പാർട്ടി ഉണ്ടോ?
- അതെ, ബിജെപി (ഭാരതീയ ജനതാ പാർട്ടി) കേരളത്തിൽ സജീവമാണ്. എന്നാൽ, LDF (ഇടത് ജനാധിപത്യ മുന്നണി), UDF (ഐക്യ ജനാധിപത്യ മുന്നണി) ആധിപത്യം നിലനിൽക്കുന്ന കേരള രാഷ്ട്രീയത്തിൽ ബിജെപിക്ക് ഇതുവരെ ഭരണം ലഭിച്ചിട്ടില്ല.
Kerala’s Rich Political Heritage
The history of Chief Ministers of Kerala reflects the state’s vibrant and competitive democracy. Since 1957, Kerala has been governed by leaders from five different political parties — CPI, CPI(M), Congress, PSP, and IUML — making it one of the most pluralistic democratic experiments in India.
The state’s tradition of alternating governments, strong civil society, high literacy, and engaged electorate have made Kerala a unique model in Indian politics. The 2026 election, which brought V.D. Satheesan and the Congress-led UDF to power, continues this democratic tradition.
Kerala PSC Quiz 2026: Chief Ministers Questions & Answers
Prepare for Kerala PSC 2026 exams with high-weightage facts about Kerala’s Chief Ministers below. This questions covers essential topics for LDC, LGS, and KAS aspirants, focusing on historical firsts, tenure records, and election trends. Check now!
Who is the current Chief Minister of Kerala in 2026?
- Pinarayi Vijayan
- V.D. Satheesan
- Oommen Chandy
- K.C. Venugopal
- C. Achutha Menon
- E.K. Nayanar
- E.M.S. Namboodiripad
- Pattom A. Thanu Pillai
- E.M.S. Namboodiripad
- Oommen Chandy
- K. Karunakaran
- E.K. Nayanar
- A.K. Antony
- K. Karunakaran
- E.K. Nayanar
- Oommen Chandy
Who was the youngest Chief Minister of Kerala?
-
E.M.S. Namboodiripad
-
A.K. Antony
-
Oommen Chandy
-
V.D. Satheesan
Which CM was the oldest person to be sworn in as Chief Minister of Kerala?
- E.K. Nayanar
- C. Achutha Menon
- V.S. Achuthanandan
- Pinarayi Vijayan
From which constituency did V.D. Satheesan win the 2026 Kerala assembly election?
-
Puthuppally
-
Nemom
-
Paravur
-
Dharmadam
Which party has held the Chief Minister’s office in Kerala for the longest cumulative time?
-
Indian National Congress
-
Communist Party of India
-
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
-
Praja Socialist Party
Pinarayi Vijayan made history in the 2021 elections by doing what no Kerala CM had done before?
- Winning by the largest margin ever
- Completing a full 5-year term
- Winning a second consecutive term as CM
- Becoming CM at the oldest age
- K. Karunakaran
- Oommen Chandy
- A.K. Antony
- R. Sankar
-
3 times
-
5 times
-
7 times
-
9 times
- Malampuzha
- Kottarakkara
- Thalassery
- Thrikaripur
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Start Learning!Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first Chief Minister of Kerala?
E.M.S. Namboodiripad of the Communist Party of India (CPI) was the first Chief Minister of Kerala. He took office on 5 April 1957 following the first Kerala Legislative Assembly elections held in February–March 1957. His government was the world’s first democratically elected communist government. His tenure was cut short by the imposition of President’s Rule on 31 July 1959.
