Part of: Uttarakhand Polity Notes · See also: Uttarakhand GK
Quick answer
Uttarakhand has had 10 Chief Ministers since 9 November 2000, while news reports number 12 terms. Nityanand Swami (BJP) was the first CM, and N. D. Tiwari (INC) was the first elected CM. Moreover, Pushkar Singh Dhami (BJP) is the present and longest-serving CM, in office since 4 July 2021. This Uttarakhand CM list is correct as on 29 October 2026.
Key facts at a glance
- First CM (interim): Nityanand Swami (BJP), from 9 November 2000
- First elected CM: Narayan Datt Tiwari (INC), 2002–2007
- Only full five-year term: N. D. Tiwari
- Longest-serving: Pushkar Singh Dhami, continuously since 4 July 2021
- Shortest: Tirath Singh Rawat (116 days)
- President’s Rule: 2016, in two spells, about 44 days in all
- Ministers cap: at most 12, including the CM
- Present CM: Pushkar Singh Dhami (BJP), as on 29 October 2026
Uttarakhand CM list with party and tenure
First, the table below lists every term in order. Also, note that Harish Rawat’s three spells appear as one entry.
| No. | Chief Minister (party) | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nityanand Swami (BJP) | 9 Nov 2000 – 29 Oct 2001 (interim) |
| 2 | Bhagat Singh Koshyari (BJP) | 30 Oct 2001 – 1 Mar 2002 (interim; 122 days) |
| 3 | Narayan Datt Tiwari (INC) | 2 Mar 2002 – 7 Mar 2007 (first elected govt) |
| 4 | Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri (BJP) | 7 Mar 2007 – 26 Jun 2009 |
| 5 | Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ (BJP) | 27 Jun 2009 – 10 Sep 2011 |
| 6 | Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri (BJP), 2nd term | 11 Sep 2011 – 13 Mar 2012 |
| 7 | Vijay Bahuguna (INC) | 13 Mar 2012 – 31 Jan 2014 |
| 8 | Harish Rawat (INC) | 1 Feb 2014 – 27 Mar 2016; 21–22 Apr 2016; 11 May 2016 – 18 Mar 2017 |
| 9 | Trivendra Singh Rawat (BJP) | 18 Mar 2017 – 9 Mar 2021 |
| 10 | Tirath Singh Rawat (BJP) | 10 Mar 2021 – 4 Jul 2021 (116 days) |
| 11 | Pushkar Singh Dhami (BJP) | 4 Jul 2021 – 23 Mar 2022 |
| 12 | Pushkar Singh Dhami (BJP), 2nd term | 23 Mar 2022 – present |
The numbering caveat
In fact, there is no official numbering of Chief Ministers. However, news reports count Khanduri’s two terms separately but Harish Rawat’s three spells as one.
As a result, Dhami’s second term appears as number 12. By persons, however, he is the 10th CM.
President’s Rule in 2016
Uttarakhand came under President’s Rule for the first time on 27 March 2016. Moreover, it ran in two spells, about 44 days in all.
- First spell: 27 March to 21 April 2016. The High Court then lifted it.
- Brief return: Harish Rawat was back in office on 21–22 April 2016.
- Second spell: 22 April to 11 May 2016, after the Supreme Court stayed the High Court order.
- Restoration: Harish Rawat finally returned after a floor test ordered by the Supreme Court.
Records of Chief Ministers
Also, the Uttarakhand CM list carries several records that UKPSC asks often. Besides, many records link with Governors, so also see the list of Governors of Uttarakhand.
| Record | Chief Minister | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| First CM | Nityanand Swami | Interim, from 9 Nov 2000 |
| First elected CM | N. D. Tiwari | From 2 Mar 2002 |
| Only full five-year term | N. D. Tiwari | 1,831 days |
| Longest-serving | Pushkar Singh Dhami | Continuously since 4 Jul 2021 |
| Shortest | Tirath Singh Rawat | 116 days |
How Dhami became the longest-serving CM
Notably, Dhami completed five years in office on 4 July 2026. Thus, he became the first BJP CM of the State to do so. Then, on 10 July 2026, he passed N. D. Tiwari’s 1,831 days.
Still, Tiwari remains the only CM to complete a full five-year Assembly term. Meanwhile, Dhami lost Khatima in the 2022 election. However, he took oath again and then won the Champawat by-election in June 2022.
For other State records, also read the firsts of Uttarakhand polity.
The Chief Minister’s role
First, the Governor appoints the CM under Article 164. Usually, the CM is the leader of the majority. Also, a non-member must become a member within six months.
Thus, the CM is the real executive head of the State. Moreover, the CM chairs the SETU Aayog. In addition, the CM is a member of the Inter-State Council and the NITI Aayog Governing Council.
Similarly, the CM is a member of the Central Zonal Council. However, the Union Home Minister chairs it, while the CMs rotate as Vice-Chairman.
Council of Ministers: the cap of 12
First, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Vidhan Sabha under Article 164(2). Moreover, Article 164(1A) came with the 91st Amendment, 2003.
- The rule: total ministers, including the CM, cannot exceed 15% of the House. Also, they cannot be fewer than 12.
- For Uttarakhand: 15% of 70 is 10.5, so the minimum applies. Thus, the State can have at most 12 ministers, including the CM.
- Ranks: Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers.
- Non-members: a non-member minister must also become a member within six months.
For the House itself, also see the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha article.
Exam corner: common traps
- First CM vs first elected CM: Nityanand Swami came first, but N. D. Tiwari was the first elected CM.
- Longest vs full term: Dhami is now the longest-serving. However, Tiwari alone completed a full Assembly term.
- Numbering: “12th CM” is news-report numbering; by persons, Dhami is the 10th CM.
- President’s Rule date: it began on 27 March 2016, not 20 or 25 March.
- Ministers cap: 12, not 10 or 11, because the minimum of 12 overrides 15% of 70.
What UKPSC has asked
- Who was the first Chief Minister of Uttarakhand? Nityanand Swami (UKPSC Upper PCS (Pre), 2024)
- Which Chief Minister of Uttarakhand completed the mandated term of five years? Narayan Datt Tiwari (UKPSC Regional Inspector Exam, 2022)
- When was President’s Rule imposed for the first time in Uttarakhand? 27 March 2016 (UKPSC Combined Lower Sub. (Pre), 2025)
- What is the maximum number of ministers, including the CM, in the Uttarakhand Council of Ministers? 12 (UKPCS Lower (Pre), 2016)
- Which CM declared in the Assembly that Gairsain would be the summer capital? Trivendra Singh Rawat (UKPSC Upper PCS (Pre), 2021)
- Which CM of Uttarakhand reserved 50% seats in panchayats for women? B. C. Khanduri (UKPCS Lower (Pre), 2016)
Revise in one page
Interim CMs: Nityanand Swami (9 November 2000 – 29 October 2001), then Bhagat Singh Koshyari (122 days). Next, N. D. Tiwari (INC, 2002–07) was the first elected CM and the only one with a full term. Then came B. C. Khanduri (2007–09), Nishank (2009–11), Khanduri again (2011–12) and Vijay Bahuguna (2012–14). Harish Rawat served 2014–17 in three spells. Meanwhile, President’s Rule began on 27 March 2016, in two spells of about 44 days. Later came Trivendra Singh Rawat (2017–21) and Tirath Singh Rawat (116 days, shortest). Finally, Dhami took over on 4 July 2021 and is the longest-serving. By persons, he is the 10th CM. Ministers cap: 12, including the CM (Article 164(1A)).
In the news
- Cabinet decisions of July 2026 on rafting, madrasas and forest land — shows the Dhami Cabinet at work.
- Cabinet decisions of 28 January 2026 on Prag Farm and airstrips — more decisions by the Council of Ministers.
Practise Uttarakhand Polity
- Daily 25 free practice questions — UKPSC previous-year questions, every morning.
- UKPSC previous year papers — bilingual PDFs of Upper PCS, Lower PCS, RO/ARO and more.
- UKPSC 2026 Prelims Test Series — full-length tests with detailed solutions.
Preparing for UKPSC Upper PCS, Lower PCS or RO/ARO? Join SAMVEG IAS, Dehradun. For batch details, call or WhatsApp +91 84759 04943.
Uttarakhand Polity Notes series
- All topics: Uttarakhand Polity Notes
- Previous: List of Governors of Uttarakhand (2000–2026)
- Next: UKPSC Chairman List and Commission Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Pushkar Singh Dhami of the BJP is the present Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, as on 29 October 2026. His second term began on 23 March 2022.
Nityanand Swami of the BJP was the first Chief Minister. He headed the interim government from 9 November 2000 to 29 October 2001.
Narayan Datt Tiwari of the INC led the first elected government from 2 March 2002 to 7 March 2007. He remains the only CM to complete a full five-year Assembly term.
Pushkar Singh Dhami is the longest-serving CM, in office continuously since 4 July 2021. On 10 July 2026 he passed the 1,831 days of N. D. Tiwari.
News-report numbering lists 12 terms, with Dhami at number 12. Counted by persons, Dhami is the 10th Chief Minister. There is no official numbering.
Uttarakhand can have at most 12 ministers, including the Chief Minister. For a 70-member House, 15 percent is 10.5, so the minimum of 12 under Article 164(1A) applies.
Facts as on 29 October 2026. Sources: Lok Bhavan (Raj Bhavan) Uttarakhand, High Court of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, Election Commission of India, State departments, India Code and PIB.