List of Chief Ministers of Karnataka

Karnataka is a state in southwest India that was formerly known as the Mysore State. On November 1, 1956, when the States Reorganisation Act was passed, it led to the creation of Mysore State. In 1973, it was formally transformed to Karnataka. Since its founding, the state’s governance, administrative structure, and social and economic advancement have seen several transformations under various leaders. Siddaramaiah is currently serving as the 22nd elected Chief Minister of Karnataka.

Read this article below to explore the complete list of Chief Ministers of Karnataka who have served this massive state over the years. Also, learn about the distinctive powers of the chief minister of the state of Karnataka and other interesting information.

List of Chief Ministers of Karnataka (1950-2023)

Have a look at the table below with an updated list of the Chief ministers , the state Karnataka has had from the years 1950 to 2023:

Chief Ministers of Karnataka From 1947 to 2023 List
Chief Ministers	From	To
K. Chengalaraya Reddy	25 Oct 1947	30 Mar 1952
K. Hanumanthaiah	30 Mar 1952	19 Aug 1956
Kadidal Manjappa	19 Aug 1956	31 Oct 1956
S. Nijalingappa	01 Nov 1956	16 May 1958
B. D. Jatti	16 May 1958	09 Mar 1962
S. R. Kanthi	14 Mar 1962	20 Jun 1962
S. Nijalingappa	21 Jun 1962	28 May 1968
Veerendra Patil	29 May 1968	18 Mar 1971
President’s Rule	19 Mar 1971	20 Mar 1972
D. Devaraj Urs	20 Mar 1972	31 Dec 1977
President’s Rule	31 Dec 1977	28 Feb 1978
D. Devaraj Urs	28 Feb 1978	07 Jan 1980
R. Gundu Rao	12 Jan 1980	06 Jan 1983
Ramakrishna Hegde	10 Jan 1983	29 Dec 1984
Ramakrishna Hegde	08 Mar 1985	13 Feb 1986
Ramakrishna Hegde	16 Feb 1986	10 Aug 1988
S. R. Bommai	13 Aug 1988	21 Apr 1989
President’s Rule	21 Apr 1989	30 Nov 1989
Veerendra Patil	30 Nov 1989	10 Oct 1990
President’s Rule	10 Oct 1990	17 Oct 1990
S. Bangarappa	17 Oct 1990	19 Nov 1992
M. Veerappa Moily	19 Nov 1992	11 Dec 1994
H. D. Deve Gowda	11 Dec 1994	31 May 1996
J. H. Patel	31 May 1996	07 Oct 1999
S. M. Krishna	11 Oct 1999	28 May 2004
Dharam Singh	28 May 2004	28 Jan 2006
H. D. Kumaraswamy	03 Feb 2006	08 Oct 2007
President’s Rule	09 Oct 2007	11 Nov 2007
B. S. Yeddyurappa	12 Nov 2007	19 Nov 2007
President’s Rule	20 Nov 2007	27 May 2008
B. S. Yeddyurappa	30 May 2008	31 Jul 2011
D. V. Sadananda Gowda	04 Aug 2011	12 Jul 2012
Jagadish Shettar	12 Jul 2012	12 May 2013
Siddaramaiah	13 May 2013	15 May 2018
B. S. Yeddyurappa	17 May 2018	23 May 2018
H. D. Kumaraswamy	23 May 2018	23 Jul 2019
B. S. Yeddyurappa	26 Jul 2019	26 Jul 2021
Basavaraj Bommai	28 Jul 2021	20 May 2023
Siddaramaiah	20 May 2023	Present

Current Chief Minister of Karnataka

Siddaramaiah is currently serving as the 22nd elected Chief Minister of Karnataka. He is popularly known by his nickname “Siddu”. Given below are some important points about him:

• Siddaramaiah belongs to the Indian National Congress (INC) and is currently the leader of Congress Legislative Party.
• He has previously served under this position from 2013 to 2018.
• In the remote village of Siddaramana Hundi in Varuna Hobli, close to T. Narasipura in the Mysore district, he was born to Siddarame Gowda and Boramma, in a farming family.
• He didn’t have any formal education till he was ten years old, although later completed his LL.B. and B. Sc. at Mysore University.
• Siddaramaiah belongs to Kuruba Gowda community.
• Place of Birth: Siddaramana Hundi
• Date of Birth: 3 August 1947
• Education: Mysore University
• Previous Political Positions: Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly

Name of CM	Siddaramaiah
Current Tenure	20 May 2023
CM Of Karnataka Email ID	cm.kar@nic.in
CM Of Karnataka Helpline No.	+91 080-22032848
Official Website	https://www.karnataka.gov.in/

Deputy Chief Ministers of Karnataka

Born on May 15, 1962, Doddalahalli Kempegowda Shivakumar, often referred to by his initials D. K. Shivakumar, is an Indian politician. As an Indian National Congress member, he has served as the 9th and current Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, as well as the Minister of Water Resources, Bengaluru Development and Town Planning, and Bengaluru Urban District Incharge Minister since May 20, 2023. Shivakumar was the Working President of the Karnataka PCC from 2008 to 2010, and he has been the President of the PCC since 2020. From 2014 until 2019, he served as a cabinet minister in the Karnataka government. Shivakumar is considered to be one of the richest politicians in India.

The First Chief Minister of Karnataka

Chengalaraya Reddy, an aminent figure in the Indian freedom struggle and politics, gained popularity for his influential role in the transformation of the state of Mysore into Karnataka. Born on February 10, 1901, in Kolar, Reddy was committed to India’s quest for independence from an early age and actively participated in various movements against British colonial rule. His firm commitment and exceptional leadership qualities gained widespread respect from his fellow peers. Reddy’s significant contributions played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of the region.

Following India’s independence, he was appointed as the inaugural Chief Minister of Karnataka, when the state was still referred to as Mysore. During his term, Reddy dedicated himself in establishing the administrative framework of the newly formed state. He prioritized key sectors such as education, agriculture, and social welfare.

Key Powers and Functions of the Chief Minister of Karnataka

The Chief Minister of a state in India, including Karnataka, holds significant powers and responsibilities. Here are some of the key powers and functions of the Chief Minister:

• Head of the Government: The Chief Minister is the head of the state government and is responsible for the overall administration of the state.
• Council of Ministers: The Chief Minister is responsible for appointing ministers to form the Council of Ministers. They assign portfolios to ministers and can reshuffle the cabinet as needed.
• Policy Formulation: The Chief Minister plays a crucial role in formulating policies and making decisions on various matters concerning the state. They often chair meetings with the cabinet to discuss and finalize policies.
• Legislation: The Chief Minister, along with the Council of Ministers, proposes and introduces bills in the state legislative assembly. They are actively involved in the legislative process.
• Budgetary Powers: The Chief Minister is involved in the preparation and presentation of the state budget. They outline the financial priorities and policies of the state government.
• Administration: The Chief Minister is responsible for the administration of the state. They oversee the functioning of various government departments and agencies.
• Law and Order: The Chief Minister plays a crucial role in maintaining law and order in the state. They work closely with the state police and administration to ensure peace and security.
• Representation: The Chief Minister represents the state in dealings with the President of India, the Governor of the state, and other state governments. They may also represent the state at the national level in various forums.
• Development Initiatives: The Chief Minister is often involved in planning and implementing development initiatives for the state. This includes infrastructure projects, economic development plans, and social welfare programs.
• Coordination with the Center: The Chief Minister interacts with the central government on behalf of the state. They seek cooperation and assistance on various issues and ensure a smooth relationship between the state and the central government.

Facts about Karnataka

Karnataka, the largest state in South India, came into existence on November 1st. It holds a significant place as one of the oldest regions in India, renowned for its rich culture, traditions, and heritage. Below are some intriguing details about Karnataka:

1. In the Bangeri region of Hubli, the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyog Samyukta Sangha stands as the sole unit in India authorized to manufacture and supply the Flag of India.
2. The Oriental Research Institute in Mysore, established in 1891, houses one of India’s oldest libraries.
3. Mysore achieved a milestone by being the first city to publish weekly newspapers in Kannada in 1859.
4. The earliest surviving manuscript of the Arthashastra is kept in the care of the Oriental Research Institute in Mysore.
5. While the entire south of India is spreaded with green plantations, Karnataka takes the lead in producing the largest quantity of coffee.

Facts about Siddaramaiah (the 22nd Chief Minister of Karnataka)

• At the age of 75, Siddaramaiah is expected to make history as the first Karnataka chief minister to serve out the whole term and then return for a second term, following D Devraj Urs (1972–1980).
• Siddaramaiah is the first Chief Minister to lose an election and subsequently win back the same office, unlike his predecessor Urs.
• Siddaramaiah would be the only Karnataka chief minister to serve two full terms if he finishes his present term; this is a distinction that four-time chief minister BS Yediyurappa was unable to make.
• In 2006, Siddaramaiah made a historic transition from Janata Dal (Secular) to Congress, becoming the first member to serve a full five-year term.
• Hailing from the Kuruba community, Siddaramaiah was expelled from Janata Dal (Secular) in 2005, joined Congress in 2006, and later won the Chamundeshwari by-election in 2007. He also served as deputy chief minister twice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the above-mentioned diverse list of chief ministers of the state of Karnataka since its formation in 1956 reflects the political diversity of the state. This list included complete information about the leaders, including their tenure, who have contributed towards the welfare of Karnataka. Also, find out some key powers and functions of the Chief Minister and the first and 23rd Chief Minister of Karnataka.

FAQs- List of Chief Ministers of Karnataka

1. Who is serving as the Chief Minister in Karnataka currently?

Siddaramaiah is the 22nd elected Chief Minister of Karnataka and is currently serving the state. His tenure began July 28, 2021.

2. How many times has B. S. Yeddyurappa served as Chief Minister of Karnataka?

B. S. Yeddyurappa has held the position of Karnataka Chief Minister on four occasions, serving during the periods of November 12th to November 19th, 2007; May 30th, 2008, to July 31st, 2011; May 17th, 2018, to May 23rd, 2018; and July 26th, 2019, to July 26th, 2021.

3. Who was the first Chief Minister of Karnataka?

K. Chengalaraya Reddy was the first Chief Minister of the Mysore state (now Karnataka). He served Karnataka as the Chief Minister from October 25, 1947, until March 30, 1952.

4. What is the old name of Karnataka?

Karnataka, previously known as Mysore State, is a state located in the southwestern part of India. The formation of Mysore State took place on November 1, 1956, following the enactment of the States Reorganisation Act.

5. Who was the Chief Minister during the President’s rule in Karnataka?

During the President’s rule, the state is administered directly by the President of India through a chosen representative rather than an elected Chief Minister.