List of Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu 1920 – 2025

List of Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu 1920 to 2025)

No.	Name	Duration	Party	Home Constituency
Chief Ministers of the Madras Presidency
1	A. Subbarayalu Reddiar	17- 12-1920 –11- 07-1921^[RES]	South Indian Liberal Federation	NA
2	Panaganti Ramarayaningar	11- 07-1921 – 03 -12-1926	South Indian Liberal Federation	NA
3	P. Subbarayan	04- 12 - 1926 – 27 -10 -1930	Independent	NA
4	B. Munuswamy Naidu	27 - 10 -1930 –04 - 11 - 1932^[RES]	South Indian Liberal Federation	NA
5	Ramakrishna Ranga Rao	05 - 11 - 1932 – 04 - 04 -1936^[RES]	South Indian Liberal Federation	NA
6	P. T. Rajan	04 - 04 -1936 – 24 - 08 -1936^[RES]	South Indian Liberal Federation	NA
7	Ramakrishna Ranga Rao	24 - 08 - 1936^[§] – 04 - 04 -1937	South Indian Liberal Federation	NA
8	Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu	01 - 04 -1937 – 14 - 07 -1937^[RES]	Independent	NA
9	C. Rajagopalachari	14- 07 -1937 –29 -10 -1939^[RES]	Indian National Congress	NA
Vacant (29 October 1939 – 29 April 1946)
10	T. Prakasam	30 - 04 -1946 – 23 - 03 -1947^[Res]	Indian National Congress	NA
11	Omanthur P. Ramaswamy Reddiar	23 - 03 -1947 – 06 - 04 -1949^[Res]	Indian National Congress	NA
12	P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja	06 - 04 -1949 – 25 - 01 -1950	Indian National Congress	NA
Chief Ministers of Madras State
1	P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja	26 - 01 -1950 – 09 - 04 -1952	Indian National Congress	NA
2	C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji)	10 - 04 -1952 – 13 - 04 -1954	Indian National Congress	Salem
3	K. Kamaraj	13 - 04 -1954 – 02 - 10 -1963	Indian National Congress	Sattur
4	M. Bhaktavatsalam	02 - 10 -1963 – 06 - 03 -1967	Indian National Congress	Sriperumbudur
5	C. N. Annadurai	06 - 03 -1967 – 13 - 01 -1969	DMK	Kanchipuram
Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu
1	C. N. Annadurai	14 - 03 -1969 – 03 - 02 -1969^[^†^]	DMK	Kanchipuram
2	V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (Acting)	03 - 02 -1969 – 10 - 02 -1969	DMK	Thiruvannamalai
3	M. Karunanidhi	10 - 02 -1969 – 31 - 01 -1976	DMK	Saidapet
Vacant (31 January 1976 – 29 June 1977)
4	M. G. Ramachandran (MGR)	30 - 06 -1977 – 17 - 02 -1980	AIADMK	Aruppukottai
Vacant (17 February 1980 – 8 June 1980)
5	M. G. Ramachandran (MGR)	09 - 06 -1980^[§] – 09 - 02 -1985	AIADMK	Madurai West
6	M. G. Ramachandran (MGR)	10 - 02 -1985 – 24 - 12 -1987^[^†^]	AIADMK	Andipatti
7	V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (Acting)	24 - 12 -1987 – 07- 01 -1988 ^[Res]	AIADMK	Athoor
8	V. N. Janaki Ramachandran	07- 01 -1988 – 30- 01 -1988	AIADMK	NA
Vacant (30 January 1988 – 26 January 1989)
9	M. Karunanidhi	27 - 01 -1989^[§] – 30 - 01 -1991	DMK	Harbour
Vacant (30 January 1991 – 23 June 1991)
10	J. Jayalalithaa	24 - 06 -1991 – 12 - 05 -1996	AIADMK	Bargur
11	Dr. M. Karunanidhi	13 - 05 -1996^[§] – 13 - 05 -2001	DMK	Chepauk
12	J. Jayalalithaa	14 - 05 -2001^[§] – 21 - 09 -2001^[Res]	AIADMK	NA
13	O. Panneerselvam (Acting)	21 - 09 -2001 – 02 - 03 -2002^[Res]	AIADMK	Periyakulam
14	J. Jayalalithaa	02 - 03 -2002^[§] – 12 - 05 -2006	AIADMK	Andipatti
15	Dr. M. Karunanidhi	13 - 05 -2006^[§] – 15 - 05 -2011	DMK	Chepauk
16	J. Jayalalithaa	16 - 05 -2011^[§] – 27 - 09 -2014	AIADMK	Srirangam
17	O. Panneerselvam	28 - 09 -2014^[§] – 23 - 05 -2015^[Res]	AIADMK	Bodinayakanur
18	J. Jayalalithaa	23 - 05 -2015^[§] – 05 - 12 -2016^[^†^]	AIADMK	R. K. Nagar
19	O. Panneerselvam	06 - 12 -2016 – 15 - 02 -2017^[Res]	AIADMK	Bodinayakanur
20	Edappadi K. Palaniswami	16 - 02 -2017 – 06 - 05 -2021	AIADMK	Edappadi
21	M. K. Stalin	07 - 05 -2021 – Present	DMK	Kolathur

📌 Notes:

[†] Died in office
[RES] Resigned
[§] Returned to office after a previous non-consecutive term
Tamil Nadu was called Madras State until 1969
The Justice Party and Congress dominated early years, but the Dravidian movement (DMK and later AIADMK) has shaped the politics of Tamil Nadu since 1967
Leaders like Annadurai, Karunanidhi, MGR, Jayalalithaa, and Stalin have been pivotal in defining Tamil Nadu’s welfare, education, cinema-politics culture, and industrial growth.

Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu (1920 – 2025)

1. Sri A. Subbarayalu Reddiar (1947–1949)

Subbarayalu Reddiar was the first Chief Minister of Madras State after independence, representing the Indian National Congress. His government worked on stabilizing administration in the post-independence era. Though his tenure was short, it set the foundation for democratic governance in Tamil Nadu.

2. Sri O. P. Ramaswamy Reddiar (1949–1952)

O. P. Ramaswamy Reddiar, also from the Congress, succeeded Subbarayalu Reddiar. He was known for strengthening rural governance and supporting agrarian policies. His period in office saw the continuation of Congress dominance and efforts to rebuild the state after independence.

3. Sri C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) (1952–1954)

C. Rajagopalachari, popularly called Rajaji, was one of India’s tallest leaders and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. As CM, he introduced the controversial Hereditary Education Policy (Kula Kalvi Thittam), which faced massive opposition. Despite criticism, his tenure emphasized education, Tamil language promotion, and administrative reforms.

4. Sri K. Kamaraj (1954–1963)

K. Kamaraj, known as the “Kingmaker” in Indian politics, remains one of Tamil Nadu’s most respected leaders. As CM, he introduced the Midday Meal Scheme and expanded schools across rural Tamil Nadu, significantly improving literacy. His simple lifestyle and pro-people measures won him immense popularity. Later, he played a key role in national politics and the Congress organization.

5. Sri M. Bhaktavatsalam (1963–1967)

Bhaktavatsalam was the last Congress CM of Tamil Nadu. His government faced stiff resistance during the Anti-Hindi Agitations of 1965, which marked the rise of the Dravidian movement. Despite infrastructure improvements, his tenure is remembered for the political shift that ended Congress dominance in the state.

6. Sri C. N. Annadurai (1967–1969)

Annadurai, founder of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), became the first non-Congress CM of Tamil Nadu. Affectionately called “Anna”, he introduced the Two-Language Policy (Tamil and English) and emphasized social justice and Tamil pride. His leadership symbolized the Dravidian ideology’s entry into mainstream governance. His untimely death in 1969 made him a legendary figure.

7. Sri V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (Acting, 1969)

Nedunchezhiyan briefly served as acting CM after Annadurai’s death. A respected DMK leader and orator, he ensured continuity in governance until M. Karunanidhi was elected as CM.

8. Dr. M. Karunanidhi (1969–1976, 1989–1991, 1996–2001, 2006–2011)

Karunanidhi, fondly known as “Kalaignar”, was one of India’s longest-serving CMs with five terms. A master orator and scriptwriter, he combined cinema, literature, and politics to strengthen the DMK. His government focused on irrigation, welfare schemes, and industrial growth. He introduced social justice measures for backward classes and modernized infrastructure. Despite controversies, Karunanidhi remained a towering Dravidian leader until his death in 2018.

9. Dr. M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) (1977–1987)

MGR, a film superstar and founder of the AIADMK, ruled Tamil Nadu for a decade. He expanded the Midday Meal Scheme launched by Kamaraj, ensuring food security for millions of children. His welfare-oriented politics, charismatic personality, and popularity in cinema made him a cultural icon. He remains one of the most loved leaders in Tamil Nadu’s history.

10. Selvi J. Jayalalithaa (1991–1996, 2001, 2002–2006, 2011–2014, 2015–2016)

Jayalalithaa, called “Amma”, was MGR’s political heir and AIADMK’s most dominant leader. Her governments launched several welfare schemes such as Amma Canteens, Amma Water, and Amma Housing. She focused on women’s empowerment, social welfare, and infrastructure. Despite legal controversies, her charisma and populist measures made her one of Tamil Nadu’s most powerful leaders.

11. Sri O. Panneerselvam (Acting CM, 2001, 2014–2015, 2016–2017)

O. Panneerselvam, a loyal follower of Jayalalithaa, often stepped in as acting CM when Jayalalithaa faced legal disqualification. Known for his humility and loyalty, he maintained governance continuity during critical times.

12. Sri Edappadi K. Palaniswami (2017–2021)

Palaniswami became CM after Jayalalithaa’s death and internal AIADMK splits. Representing Edappadi constituency, he focused on road infrastructure, water projects, and rural development. His tenure stabilized the AIADMK after a turbulent period.

13. Sri M. K. Stalin (2021–Present)

M. K. Stalin, son of Karunanidhi, is the current CM of Tamil Nadu. Leading the DMK, he launched the “Illam Thedi Kalvi” (Education at Doorstep) scheme, modernized healthcare with the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam initiative, and prioritized digital governance. Stalin represents the new generation of Dravidian leadership, focusing on welfare, urban planning, and technology-driven governance.

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