Chief Minister of Bihar

The Chief Minister of Bihar is the de facto head of the executive branch of the Government of Bihar, of the Indian state of Bihar. The chief minister of Bihar overseeing its administration and governance within the constitutional framework of India. While the Governor of Bihar holds the ceremonial role of the constitutional head, real executive authority rests with the chief minister, who is responsible for implementing policies and managing the state's day-to-day affairs. Appointed by the Governor following elections to the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the chief minister is typically the leader of the majority party or coalition in the assembly. Upon taking office, they form a council of ministers, assigning portfolios to manage various government departments. This council operates collectively under the chief minister's leadership and remains accountable to the legislative assembly. Responsibilities of the office include leading cabinet meetings, drafting and implementing state policies, and presenting the annual budget. In addition to maintaining law and order, the chief minister directs efforts toward economic development, public welfare, and infrastructure improvement. Coordination with the Government of India and advocacy for Bihar's interests at the national level are also integral parts of the role. Chief Minister also serves as Leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly.

Policy proposals and legislative initiatives are often introduced under the chief minister's guidance, shaping the government's agenda in the assembly. Administrative oversight is another key function, ensuring government departments and officials deliver public services efficiently and in line with policy objectives. The position carries a five-year term, concurrent with the tenure of the legislative assembly. However, tenure depends on retaining the confidence of the assembly, as the chief minister can be removed through a vote of no confidence. There are no term limits, allowing for multiple consecutive or non-consecutive terms. Since its establishment in 1946, the office has grown in influence, reflecting shifts in state politics and governance. The role has become central to Bihar's administration, with successive holders contributing to the state's legislative, economic, and social development efforts. Kumar vacated the Chief Minister's Office due to his election as an MP in the upper chamber of the union Parliament, the Rajya Sabha.

Oath as the state chief minister

The chief minister serves five years in the office. The following is the oath of the chief minister of state:

Oath of Secrecy

"I, [Name], do swear in the name of God / solemnly affirm that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person or persons any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as a Minister for the State of [Name of State] except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as such Minister."Pad ki Shapath (Oath of Office)

"Main, [CM ka Naam], Ishwar ki shapath leta hoon / satyanishtha se pratigyan karta hoon ki main vidhi dwara sthapit Bharat ke Samvidhan ke prati sachi shraddha aur nishtha rakhunga. Main Bharat ki prabhuta aur akhandta akshunn rakhunga. Main [State ka Naam] ke Rajya ke Mukhya Mantri ke roop mein apne kartavyon ka shraddhapoorvak aur shuddh antahkaran se nirvahan karunga, tatha main bhay ya pakshpat, anurag ya dwesh ke bina, sabhi prakar ke logon ke prati Samvidhan aur vidhi ke anusar nyay karunga."

B. Gopniyata ki Shapath (Oath of Secrecy)

"Main, [CM ka Naam], Ishwar ki shapath leta hoon / satyanishtha se pratigyan karta hoon ki jo vishay [State ka Naam] ke Rajya ke Mukhya Mantri ke roop mein mere vichar ke liye laya jayega athva mujhe gyaat hoga, use kisi vyakti ya vyaktityon ko, tab ke sivay jab ki aise Mukhya Mantri ke roop mein apne kartavyon ke uchit nirvahan ke liye aisa karna apekshit ho, main pratyaksh (directly) ya apratyaksh (indirectly) roop mein sansuchit ya prakat nahi karunga."

Prime Ministers of Bihar (1937–1947)

Before independence, Bihar was part of the larger Bihar and Orissa province, which was divided into two separate provinces on 1 April 1936. The Government of India Act 1935 introduced a bicameral legislature in Bihar, with a Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council, headed by the Premier. Shri Krishna Sinha became the first Premier in 1937, leading a government formed by the Indian National Congress. He continued as Bihar's leader after independence, becoming the first chief minister in 1946. The role of premier was replaced by the chief minister after India's independence in 1947, with Bihar's political leadership transitioning to a new democratic framework.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! rowspan="2" | #

! rowspan="2" | Portrait

! rowspan="2" | Name

! colspan="3" |Term of office

! rowspan="2" colspan="2"|Party

!Took office

!Left office

!Tenure

| 1

| 75x101px

| Mohammad Yunus

| 1 April 1937

| 19 July 1937

| Muslim Independent Party

|style="background-color: " |

| 2

| 101x101px

| Shri Krishna Sinha

| 20 July 1937

| 31 October 1939

|Indian National Congress

|style="background-color: " |

| colspan="8" |Vacant

| (2)

| 101x101px

| Shri Krishna Sinha

| 23 March 1946

| 14 August 1947

|Indian National Congress

|style="background-color: " |

Chief Ministers of Bihar (1947–present)

No.: Incumbent number
Assassinated or died in office
Resigned
Resigned following a no-confidence motion

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

!Portrait

!Officeholder

!Constituency

! colspan="3" |Term of office

!Assembly

! colspan="2" |Party

| rowspan="3" |1

| rowspan="3" |101x101px

| rowspan="3" |Shri Krishna Sinha

| rowspan="2" |Kharagpur

|15 August 1947

|29 April 1952

| rowspan="3" |

|Provincial

| rowspan="7" |Indian National Congress

| rowspan="7" style="background-color: " |

|29 April 1952

|5 May 1957

|1st

|Sheikhpura

|5 May 1957

|31 January 1961

| rowspan="3" |2nd

|Deep Narayan Singh

|Hajipur

|1 February 1961

|18 February 1961

| rowspan="2" |3

| rowspan="2" |100x100px

| rowspan="2" |Binodanand Jha

| rowspan="2" |Rajmahal

|18 February 1961

|15 March 1962

| rowspan="2" |

|15 March 1962

|2 October 1963

| rowspan="2" |3rd

|90x90px

|Krishna Ballabh Sahay

|Patna West

|2 October 1963

|5 March 1967

|112x112px

|Mahamaya Prasad Sinha

|Patna West

|5 March 1967

|28 January 1968

| rowspan="4" |4th

(1967 election)

|Jana Kranti Dal

|style="background-color: red" |

|88x88px

|Satish Prasad Singh

|Parbatta

|28 January 1968

|1 February 1968

| rowspan="2" |Shoshit Dal

| rowspan="2" style="background-color: #CD8C95" |

|84x84px

|B. P. Mandal

|MLC

|1 February 1968

|22 March 1968

|94x94px

|Bhola Paswan Shastri

|Korha

|22 March 1968

|29 June 1968

|Loktantrik Congress

|style="background-color: " |

|120x120px

|Vacant

(President's rule)

|N/A

|29 June 1968

|26 February 1969

|Dissolved

| colspan="2" |N/A

|122x122px

|Harihar Singh

|Nayagram

|26 February 1969

|22 June 1969

| rowspan="6" |5th

(1969 election)

|Indian National Congress

|style="background-color: " |

|(8)

|94x94px

|Bhola Paswan Shastri

|Korha

|22 June 1969

|4 July 1969

|Loktantrik Congress

|style="background-color: " |

|120x120px

|Vacant

(President's rule)

|N/A

|4 July 1969

|16 February 1970

| colspan="2" |N/A

|10

|84x84px

|Daroga Prasad Rai

|Parsa

|16 February 1970

|22 December 1970

|Indian National Congress (R)

| style="background-color: " |

|11

|99x99px

|Karpoori Thakur

|Tajpur

|22 December 1970

|2 June 1971

|Samyukta Socialist Party

|style="background-color: " |

|(8)

|94x94px

|Bhola Paswan Shastri

|Korha

|2 June 1971

|9 January 1972

|Loktantrik Congress

|style="background-color: " |

|120x120px

|Vacant

(President's rule)

|N/A

|9 January 1972

|19 March 1972

|Dissolved

| colspan="2" |N/A

|12

|94x94px

|Kedar Pandey

|Nautan

|19 March 1972

|2 July 1973

| rowspan="3" |6th

(1972 election)

| rowspan="3" |Indian National Congress

| rowspan="3" style="background-color: " |

|13

|87x87px

|Abdul Ghafoor

|MLC

|2 July 1973

|11 April 1975

|14

|Jagannath Mishra

|Jhanjharpur

|11 April 1975

|30 April 1977

|120x120px

|Vacant

(President's rule)

|N/A

|30 April 1977

|24 June 1977

|Dissolved

| colspan="2" |N/A

|(11)

|99x99px

|Karpoori Thakur

|Phulparas

|24 June 1977

|21 April 1979

| rowspan="2" |7th

(1977 election)

| rowspan="2" |Janata Party

| rowspan="2" style="background-color: " |

|15

|109x109px

|Ram Sundar Das

|Sonepur

|21 April 1979

|17 February 1980

|120x120px

|Vacant

(President's rule)

|N/A

|17 February 1980

|8 June 1980

|Dissolved

| colspan="2" |N/A

|(14)

|Jagannath Mishra

|Jhanjharpur

|8 June 1980

|14 August 1983

| rowspan="2" |8th

(1980 election)

| rowspan="6" |Indian National Congress

| rowspan="2" style="background-color: " |

|16

|104x104px

|Chandrashekhar Singh

|MLC

|14 August 1983

|12 March 1985

|17

|94x94px

|Bindeshwari Dubey

|Shahpur

|12 March 1985

|14 February 1988

| rowspan="4" |9th

(1985 election)

|style="background-color: " |

|18

|108x108px

|Bhagwat Jha Azad

|MLC

|14 February 1988

|11 March 1989

|style="background-color: " |

|19

|105x105px

|Satyendra Narayan Sinha

|MLC

|11 March 1989

|6 December 1989

|style="background-color: " |

|(14)

|Jagannath Mishra

|Jhanjharpur

|6 December 1989

|10 March 1990

|style="background-color: " |

|20

|94x94px

|Lalu Prasad Yadav

|MLC

|10 March 1990

|28 March 1995

|10th

(1990 election)

|Janata Dal

|style="background-color: " |

|120x120px

|Vacant

(President's rule)

|N/A

|28 March 1995

|4 April 1995

| colspan="2" |N/A

| rowspan="2" |(20)

| rowspan="2" |94x94px

| rowspan="2" |Lalu Prasad Yadav

| rowspan="2" |Raghopur

| rowspan="2" |4 April 1995

| rowspan="2" |25 July 1997

| rowspan="2" |

| rowspan="5" |11th

(1995 election)

|Janata Dal

|style="background-color: " |

| rowspan="2" |Rashtriya Janata Dal

| rowspan="2" style="background-color: " |

|21

|94x94px

|Rabri Devi

|MLC

|25 July 1997

|11 February 1999

|120x120px

|Vacant

(President's rule)

|N/A

|11 February 1999

|9 March 1999

| colspan="2" |N/A

|(21)

|94x94px

|Rabri Devi

|MLC

|9 March 1999

|3 March 2000

|Rashtriya Janata Dal

|style="background-color: " |

|22

|99x99px

|Nitish Kumar

|MLC

|3 March 2000

|11 March 2000

| rowspan="2" |12th

(2000 election)

|Samata Party

|style="background-color: " |

|(21)

|94x94px

|Rabri Devi

|Raghopur

|11 March 2000

|7 March 2005

|Rashtriya Janata Dal

|style="background-color: " |

|120x120px

|Vacant

(President's rule)

|N/A

|7 March 2005

|24 November 2005

|13th

| colspan="2" |N/A

| rowspan="2" |(22)

| rowspan="2" |99x99px

| rowspan="2" |Nitish Kumar

| rowspan="2" |MLC

|24 November 2005

|26 November 2010

| rowspan="2" |

|14th

(Oct 2005 election)

| rowspan="10" |Janata Dal (United)

| rowspan="10" style="background-color: " |

|26 November 2010

|20 May 2014

| rowspan="3" |15th

(2010 election)

|23

|101x101px

|Jitan Ram Manjhi

|Makhdumpur

|20 May 2014

|22 February 2015

| rowspan="7" |(22)

| rowspan="7" |99x99px

| rowspan="7" |Nitish Kumar

| rowspan="7" |MLC

|22 February 2015

|20 November 2015

| rowspan="7" |

|20 November 2015

|27 July 2017

| rowspan="2" |16th

(2015 election)

|27 July 2017

|16 November 2020

|10 August 2022

| rowspan="3" |17th

(2020 election)

|10 August 2022

|28 January 2024

|20 November 2025

|15 April 2026

| rowspan="2" |18th

(2025 election)

|24

|94x94px

|Samrat Choudhary

|Tarapur

|15 April 2026

|Incumbent

|Bharatiya Janata Party

| style="background-color: " |

Statistics

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="line-height:1.5em; text-align:center"

! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="number" | #

! rowspan="2" | Name

! colspan="2" rowspan="2" | Party

! colspan="2" | Length of term

! Longest tenure

! Total tenure

| data-sort-value="1" | 1

| Nitish Kumar

| style="background-color: " |

| JD(U)

| 19 years, 237 days

| data-sort-value="2" | 2

| Shri Krishna Sinha

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| 17 years, 51 days

| data-sort-value="3" | 3

| Rabri Devi

| style="background-color: " |

| RJD

| 7 year, 192 days

| data-sort-value="4" | 4

| Lalu Prasad Yadav

| style="background-color: " |

| JD

| 7 years, 130 days

| data-sort-value="5" | 5

| Jagannath Mishra

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| 5 years, 180 days

| data-sort-value="6" | 6

| Krishna Ballabh Sahay

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| data-sort-value="7" | 7

| Bindeshwari Dubey

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| data-sort-value="8" | 8

| Binodanand Jha

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| data-sort-value="9" | 9

| Karpoori Thakur

| style="background-color: " |

| JP

| 2 years, 98 days

| data-sort-value="10" | 10

| Abdul Ghafoor

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| data-sort-value="11" | 11

| Chandrashekhar Singh

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| data-sort-value="12" | 12

| Kedar Pandey

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| data-sort-value="13" | 13

| Bhagwat Jha Azad

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

|14

|Bhola Paswan Shastri

| style="background-color: " |

|INC

|332 days

| data-sort-value="15" | 15

| Mahamaya Prasad Sinha

| style="background-color: red" |

| JKD

| data-sort-value="16" | 16

| Daroga Prasad Rai

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| data-sort-value="17" | 17

| Ram Sundar Das

| style="background-color: " |

| JP

| data-sort-value="18" | 18

| Jitan Ram Manjhi

| style="background-color: " |

| JD(U)

| data-sort-value="19" | 19

| Satyendra Narayan Sinha

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| data-sort-value="20" | 20

| Harihar Singh

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| data-sort-value="21" | 21

| B. P. Mandal

| style="background-color: #784C04" |

| SSP

| data-sort-value="22" | 22

|Samrat Choudhary

|BJP

| data-sort-value="23" | 23

| Deep Narayan Singh

| style="background-color: " |

| INC

| data-sort-value="24" | 24

| Satish Prasad Singh

| style="background-color: #784C04" |

| SSP

References

Notes

One of the achievements of the Bihar Government is that they have launched a Medhasoft Application for the students so that deserving students in the state get scholarships and the amount will be directly transferred to their account. However, in order to get this, school authorities have to upload all their student's details in the Medhasoft web portal.

Citations

</references>

Oath as the state chief minister

Prime Ministers of Bihar (1937–1947)

Chief Ministers of Bihar (1947–present)

Statistics

See also

References

Notes

Citations