List of CM of Nagaland with Service Period

The Chief Minister of Nagaland plays an important role in the administration and governance of Nagaland state. The current CM of Nagaland is Neiphiu Rio, the ninth Chief Minister of Nagaland. He is serving his fifth term as CM. He took the oath as Chief Minister of Nagaland for his fifth term on 7 March 2023. He has a long tenure that makes a total of more than 15 years in office that’s why he is also the longest-serving Chief Minister of Nagaland.

In this article, we will look into the list of Chief Ministers of Nagaland along with their tenure.

Let’s explore!

Chief Minister of Nagaland

In Nagaland, the Chief Minister is the main leader in charge. As long as the chief minister has the assembly’s support, they can stay in power for five years without any limits on the number of terms. Neiphiu Rio is the present CM of Nagaland. He took the oath for his fifth term on 7 March 2023. He is serving as the 9th chief minister of Nagaland.

Nagaland is located in the northeastern part of India. It ranks in 19th position in literacy rate at about 79.55 percent above the national average of 77 percent. It has a total population of approx 2.2 million people as of 2024. It covers an estimated land area of 16,579 square kilometers. Nagaland has 60 Legislative Assembly seats and 1 Lok Sabha seat.

List of Chief Ministers of Nagaland

The below table lists the Chief Ministers of Nagaland along with their tenures:

Chief Minister	From	To
Neiphiu Rio	7 March 2023	Present
Neiphiu Rio	8 March 2018	7 March 2023
T.R Zeliang	19 July 2017	8 March 2018
Shurhozelie Liezietsu	22 February 2017	19 July 2017
T.R Zeliang	24 May 2014	22 Febuary 2017
Neiphiu Rio	5 March 2013	24 May 2014
Neiphiu Rio	12 March 2008	5 March 2013
President Rule	3 January 2008	12 March 2008
Neiphiu Rio	6 March 2003	3 January 2008
S.C Jamir	22 February 1993	6 March 2003
President Rule	2 April 1992	22 February 1993
Vamuzo Phesao	19 June 1990	2 April 1992
K.L chishi	16 May 1990	19 June 1990
S.C Jamir	25 January 1989	10 May 1990
Hokishe Sema	29 October 1986	7 August 1988
S.C Jamir	18 November 1982	28 October 1986
John Bosco Jasokie	5 June 1980	18 November 1982
S.C Jamir	18 April 1980	5 June 1980
Vizol Koso	25 November 1977	18 April 1980
President Rule	20 March 1975	25 November 1977
John Bosco Jasokie	10 March 1975	20 March 1975
Vizol Koso	26 February 1974	10 March 1975
Hokishe Sema	22 February 1969	26 February 1974
Thepfulo-u Nakhro	14 August 1966	22 February 1969
P Shilu Ao	1 December 1963	14 August 1966

Present Chief Minister of Nagaland

Neiphiu Rio is the present chief minister of Nagaland. He is serving as CM for the fifth term. He is the ninth chief minister of Nagaland. He was born on 11 November 1950 in Tuophema village, Kohima district, Nagaland. After completing his early education he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kohima Arts College.

He began his political career at a very young age. He joined the Kohima District United Democratic Front (UDF) Youth Wing. He was very actively participating in the Politics as the Vice President of the Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland branch. Elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1987.

Below are the contact details of the present CM – Neiphiu Rio:

Name	Neiphiu Rio
D.O.B	11 November 1950
Political Party	Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party
Constituency	Northern Angami II
Office Address	Chief Ministers’ Secretariat, Thizama Road, Nagaland Kohima, pin – 797001
E-mail ID	cmngl@nic.in
Social Media	Twitter – @Neiphiu_Rio

Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland

In the Constitution of India Deputy chief ministers are the second highest ranking member in the Council of Ministers of Nagaland state. Till now there are four deputy chief ministers in Nagaland. In Nagaland, the position of deputy chief minister is used to bring political stability in the State.

Name	Tenure	Political Party
T.R Zeliang	7 March 2023 – Present	Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party
Yanthungo Patton	8 March 2018 – 7 March 2023	Bharatiya Janata Party
IK Sema	1989 – 1990	Nagaland People Council
RC Chiten Jamir	1987 – 1989	Indian National Congress

First Chief Minister of Nagaland

P. Shilu Ao was the first Chief Minister of Nagaland. Nagaland was formed as a state on 1 December 1963. He was born on 24 December 1916 in Chungliyimsen village, Mokokchung district of Nagaland. He did his early education at Kohima Government High School after that he earned a Bachelor of Teaching from St. Edmund’s College, Shillong in the year 1953.

He began his political career involved in the Naga nationalist movement, advocating for autonomy and the establishment of a separate state. He played a key role in the negotiations leading to the creation of Nagaland in 1963. He was elected as the first Chief Minister, representing the Naga Nationalist Organisation (NNO). During his term, Ao focused on establishing the basic administrative framework for the new state.

Name	P. Shilu Ao
D.O.B	24 December 1916
Died	19 September 1988
Political Party	Naga Nationalist Organisation
Tenure as CM	1 December 1963 to 14 August 1966
Significance	He was also a key figure in the negotiations for the creation of Nagaland as a state of India.

Longest Serving Chief Minister of Nagaland

Neiphiu Rio is the longest serving chief minister of Nagaland. He has served as CM for five terms. He is the ninth chief minister of Nagaland. He was born on 11 November 1950 in Tuophema village in Kohima district, Nagaland. He received his early education from Baptist English School, Kohima and Sainik School, Purulia, West Bengal.

He attended college at St Joseph’s College, Darjeeling and later graduated from Kohima Arts College. Neiphiu Rio entered politics at a very young age. He entered politics in the early 1970s and has served in various positions, including President of the Kohima District United Democratic Front (UDF) Youth Wing.

Name	Neiphiu Rio
D.O.B	11 November 1950
Education	Early education from Baptist English School, Kohima Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kohima Arts College
Political Party	Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party
Tenure as CM	6 March 2003 to 3 January 2008 12 March 2008 to 5 March 2013 5 March 2013 to 24 May 2014 8 March 2018 to 7 March 2023 7 March 2023 to Present
Past Posts Held	Minister of Personnel and Administrative Reforms of Nagaland Minister of Finance of Nagaland Member of the Lok Sabha Chief Minister of Nagaland

Conclusion on Chief Ministers of Nagaland

Nagaland’s chief ministers, from Ao to Rio, have headed the state through regional parties, national alliances, and persistent calls for autonomy. Despite ongoing challenges, its diverse political scene keeps evolving, balancing progress with its unique cultural identity. The choices of future leaders will undoubtedly shape Nagaland’s destiny.

People Also View:

• List of Chief Ministers of Sikkim
• List of Chief Ministers of Maharastra
• List of Chief Ministers of Bihar
• List of Chief Ministers of Delhi

FAQs on Chief Minister of Nagaland

Who was the First Chief Minister of Nagaland?

P. Shilu Ao was the first Chief Minister of Nagaland.

Who is the Present Chief Minister of Nagaland?

Neiphiu Rio is the present chief minister of Nagaland

Who served for the Longest Tenure as the Chief Minister of Nagaland?

Neiphiu Rio served for the longest tenure as the chief minister of Nagaland.

Who served for the shortest tenure as the Chief Minister of Nagaland?

John Bosco Jasokie served for the shortest tenure as the chief minister of Nagaland.

When was Nagaland formed as a state?

Nagaland formed as a state on 1 December 1963.