The Chief Minister of West Bengal is the primary executive authority of the state. Since 1947, the list of chief ministers of West Bengal has contained only eight people who have served in this position. The current Chief Minister is Mamata Banerjee, who has held office since May 20, 2011. She represents the All India Trinamool Congress and is the first woman chief minister of the state.
Note: As per the Assembly Elections Result in 2026, TMC conceded defeat in West Bengal to BJP, and therefore it would mean the end of 15 year old tenure of Mamata Banerjee.
Chief Ministers of West Bengal: Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
| First Chief Minister | Prafulla Chandra Ghosh (1947) |
| Longest Serving | Jyoti Basu (23 years, 137 days) |
| First Female CM | Mamata Banerjee (2011–2026) |
| Appointing Authority | Governor of West Bengal |
| Official Residence | Nabanna, Howrah (Secretariat) |
| Total Number of CMs | 9 Individuals |
What is the Function of Chief Minister of West Bengal?
The Chief Minister is the chief administrator of the state and the main advisor to the Governor. While the Governor is the formal head of the state, the Chief Minister holds the actual executive power. To become the Chief Minister, a person must be a member of the State Legislative Assembly. If they are not a member when appointed, they must win an election to the assembly within six months.
The Chief Ministers of West Bengal are responsible for state policy and law enforcement. They oversee the state budget and manage various departments like home affairs, finance, and health. This role is vital for the stability and development of the region.
As of 4th May 2026, the current chief minister of West Bengal is Mamata Banerjee, very soon there will be a new Chief minister of West Bengal as BJP achieved a landslide victory in Assembly Elections 2026.
Chief Ministers of West Bengal: Complete List
West Bengal has seen 9 individuals as Chief Minister of the state since independence in 1947. The chief ministers over the years belonged to Indian National Congress, Left Front, and Trinamul Congress. In 2026, the first time a CM was elected from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The list of chief ministers of West Bengal are presented below:
| Name of Chief Minister | Political Party | Term of Office |
| Prafulla Chandra Ghosh | Indian National Congress | 1947 – 1948 |
| Bidhan Chandra Roy | Indian National Congress | 1948 – 1962 |
| Prafulla Chandra Sen | Indian National Congress | 1962 – 1967 |
| Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee | Bangla Congress | 1967 (Multiple Terms) |
| Prafulla Chandra Ghosh | Independent | 1967 – 1968 |
| Siddhartha Shankar Ray | Indian National Congress | 1972 – 1977 |
| Jyoti Basu | Communist Party of India (Marxist) | 1977 – 2000 |
| Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee | Communist Party of India (Marxist) | 2000 – 2011 |
| Mamata Banerjee | All India Trinamool Congress | 2011 – 2026 |
| Suvendu Adhikari | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 2026 |
ALSO READ: List of Chief Ministers of Kerala (1957 – 2026)
Key Political Eras in West Bengal
To understand the list of Chief Ministers of West Bengal, one must look at the three major political eras. The first era was dominated by the Indian National Congress after 1947. Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy was the central figure during this time. He is often called the “Architect of Modern West Bengal” because of his focus on infrastructure and industry.
The second era began in 1977 with the Left Front government. This period lasted for 34 years without interruption. Jyoti Basu led the state during this time. He focused on land reforms and local government power. Jyoti Basu was the longest-serving Chief Minister of West Bengal.
The third era started in 2011 when the All India Trinamool Congress came to power. Mamata Banerjee led this shift. Her government focused on rural development and social welfare programs. Mamata Banerjee is the first female Chief Minister in the history of the state.
Famous Figures and Milestones
Each leader brought a unique vision to the state. Siddhartha Shankar Ray is remembered for his role during the 1971 refugee crisis. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee attempted to bring rapid industrialization to the state in the early 2000s.
The state also experienced periods of “President’s Rule.” This happens when the central government takes direct control because no party can form a stable government. West Bengal saw this several times in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Who was the first Chief Minister of West Bengal?
Prafulla Chandra Ghosh was the first Chief Minister. He took office on August 15, 1947, as the state transition from British rule to Indian independence. His first term lasted for 152 days.
Who served the longest as Chief Minister of West Bengal?
Jyoti Basu served the longest term. He was in power from June 21, 1977, to November 5, 2000. He led the state for five consecutive terms as part of the Left Front government.
Is Mamata Banerjee the first woman Chief Minister of West Bengal?
Yes, Mamata Banerjee is the first woman to hold the office. She assumed the role on May 20, 2011, after defeating the 34-year-old Left Front government.
How is the Chief Minister of West Bengal elected?
The Governor appoints the Chief Minister. Traditionally, the Governor invites the leader of the party that wins a majority of seats in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly to form the government.
