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Punjab, the land of five rivers, has a rich history of leadership that has shaped its destiny from pre-Independence to the present day. From the challenges of Partition to the Green Revolution, and from tackling law and order issues to becoming the “Food Bowl of India,” Punjab’s journey is a testament to the resilience and vision of its leaders.
This article is your ultimate guide to the Chief Minister of Punjab, their contributions, and some fascinating facts about the state’s political history. Whether you’re preparing for Punjab-level competitive exams like PSSSB, PCS, Punjab Patwari, or Excise Inspector, or simply curious about Punjab’s political landscape, this article has got you covered.
Punjab Before 1947: The Premiers of Punjab
Before independence, Punjab was under British rule and governed by the Premiers. Some of the notable names include Sikandar Hayat Khan and Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana, who played crucial roles in shaping the province’s administration before it became a part of independent India.
The Chief Ministers of Punjab (1947-Present)
1. Dr. Gopi Chand Bhargava (15-08-1947 to 13-04-1949; 18-10-1949 to 20-06-1951; 21-06-1964 to 06-07-1964)
Dr. Gopi Chand Bhargava was born on 8 March 1889 at Sirsa(Now in Haryana). His father, Munshi Badri Prasad, was a government servant in the Punjab. He passed his matriculation examination from the D.A.V. high school, Hissar in 1905. After completing his schooling, he went to Lahore for higher education. After completing his M.B.B.S. from King Edward’s College in 1912, he started his career as a medical
practitioner in Lahore.
He was elected the Punjab legislative council in 1927 and latterly resigned after the death of Jantin Das. Later he elected for the legislative assembly of Punjab in 1937 and become the leader of the opposition under the Unionist Government of the Sikander Hayat Khan. After the Independence he have the owner to become the First Chief Minister of Punjab.
2. Bhim Sen Sachar (13-04-1949 to 18-10-1949; 17-04-1952 to 23-01-1956)
Sir Bhim Sen Sachar was born on 1st December 1894 at Peshawar(Now in Pakistan), British India. After Independence he was accepted the citizenship of Pakistan from 1947 to 1949 and became a member of first Pakistani Constitution assembly later he relinquished the citizenship of India. and on the date of 13 April 1949 he became the 2nd Chief Minister of the state of Punjab by succeeding dr. Gopi Chand Bhargava.
3. Pratap Singh Kairon (23-01-1956 to 21-06-1964)
Pratap Singh Kairon, born on 1 October 1901 in Kairon village (Amritsar District), is often called the “Architect of Modern Punjab.” His visionary leadership transformed Punjab into an industrial hub. He established Faridabad as an industrial township and played a key role in planning Chandigarh. During the 1962 Indo-China war, he mobilized defense funds and recruited soldiers, showcasing his commitment to national security.
4. Ram Kishan (06-07-1964 to 05-07-1966)
Ram Kishan, born on 7 November 1913 in Jhang (now in Pakistan), served as Punjab’s fourth Chief Minister. His tenure was marked by efforts to maintain stability during a politically turbulent period.
5. Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir (01-11-1966 to 08-03-1967)
Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir, born on 15 January 1899 in Adhval village (Punjab), was a poet and politician. He became the Chief Minister of the newly reorganized Punjab in 1966, focusing on cultural and social development.
6. Justice Gurnam Singh (08-03-1967 to 25-11-1967; 17-02-1969 to 27-03-1970)
Justice Gurnam Singh, born on 25 February 1899 in Narangwal (Ludhiana), was the first Akali Dal Chief Minister of Punjab. His leadership emphasized agricultural and industrial growth.
7. Lachhman Singh Gill (25-11-1967 to 23-08-1968)
Lachhman Singh Gill, born in 1917 in Jagraon (Ludhiana District), served as Punjab’s Chief Minister for a brief period. His tenure was marked by political instability.
8. Parkash Singh Badal (27-03-1970 to 14-06-1971; 20-06-1977 to 17-01-1980; 12-02-1997 to 26-02-2002; 01-03-2007 to 06-03-2012; 06-03-2012 to 16-03-2017)
Parkash Singh Badal was born on 8th December 1927 at Abul Khurana, near Malout in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. He was the 8th and the youngest Chief Minister of Punjab, first assuming office at the age of 43. Not only did he serve as CM at a young age, but he also holds the record for being the longest-serving Chief Minister of Punjab, with five terms in office!
9. Giani Zail Singh (17-03-1972 to 30-04-1977)
Giani Zail Singh, born on 5 May 1916 in Sandhwan (Faridkot District), later became India’s seventh President. As Punjab’s Chief Minister, he worked towards social justice and rural upliftment.
10. Darbara Singh (06-06-1980 to 10-10-1983)
Darbara Singh, born on 10 February 1916 in Jandiala (Punjab), became Punjab’s tenth Chief Minister. His tenure was marked by efforts to restore peace and stability in the state.
11. Surjit Singh Barnala (29-09-1985 to 11-06-1987)
Surjit Singh Barnala, born on 2 October 1925 in Ateli (now in Haryana), served as Punjab’s eleventh Chief Minister. He later became the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
12. Beant Singh (25-02-1992 to 31-08-1995)
Beant Singh, born on 19 February 1922 in Patiala, played a crucial role in restoring law and order in Punjab. His assassination in 1995 was a tragic loss for the state.
13. Harcharan Singh Brar (31-08-1995 to 21-01-1996)
Harcharan Singh Brar, born on 21 January 1922 in Sri Muktsar Sahib, served as Punjab’s thirteenth Chief Minister. His tenure focused on maintaining stability after Beant Singh’s assassination.
14. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal (21-01-1996 to 12-02-1997)
Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, born on 30 September 1945 in Lahore (now in Pakistan), was Punjab’s first and only woman Chief Minister. Her leadership emphasized women’s empowerment and rural development.
15. Captain Amarinder Singh (25-02-2002 to 01-03-2007; 16-03-2017 to 18-09-2021)
The ‘Captain’ of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh was born on 11 March 1942 in Patiala to the Royal Princely State of Patiala. He served as a Captain in the Indian Army and later became the 15th Chief Minister of Punjab. Beyond politics, he is an accomplished author, having written several books, including The Last Sunset, The Monsoon War: Young Officers Reminisce: 1965 India-Pakistan War, Saragarhi and the Defence of the Samana Forts, and Honour and Fidelity: India’s Military Contribution to the Great War 1914-18.
16. Charanjit Singh Channi (20-09-2021 to 16-03-2022)
Charanjit Singh Channi was born on 1st March 1963 in Chamkaur Sahib and became the first-ever Chief Minister of Punjab to be born after India’s independence. He also holds the distinction of being the first Dalit Chief Minister of the state. However, his tenure lasted for only about six months.
17. Bhagwant Singh Mann (16-03-2022 to Present)
Bhagwant Singh Mann, born on 17 October 1973 in Satoj village (Sangrur District), is Punjab’s current Chief Minister. A former comedian, he brings a unique approach to governance, focusing on education, healthcare, and rural development.
President’s Rule in Punjab
Punjab has seen President’s Rule multiple times due to political instability, with the first imposition on 20th June 1951 to 17th April 1952 under Article 356 of the Constitution of India. This marked the first instance of President’s Rule in any Indian state, arising from the conflict between Dr. Gopi Chand Bhargava and Bhim Sen Sachar.
Subsequently, Punjab came under President’s Rule on multiple occasions: from 5th July 1966 to 1st November 1966, 23rd August 1968 to 17th February 1969, 14th June 1971 to 17th March 1972, 30th April 1977 to 20th June 1977, 17th February 1980 to 6th June 1980, 10th October 1983 to 29th September 1985, and finally, the longest spell from 11th June 1987 to 25th February 1992 during the peak of militancy.
Punjab’s Journey: Challenges and Triumphs
Punjab‘s history is a blend of challenges and triumphs. From the migration crisis during Partition to becoming the “Food Bowl of India” through the Green Revolution, Punjab has always risen to the occasion. The state’s leaders have played a pivotal role in addressing issues like terrorism, law and order, and economic development.
FAQs on Chief Ministers of Punjab:
1. Who was the first Chief Minister of Punjab?
Answer: Dr. Gopi Chand Bhargava was the first Chief Minister of Punjab. He assumed office on 15 August 1947, following India’s independence. He served three non-consecutive terms as Chief Minister.
2. Who is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Punjab?
Answer: Parkash Singh Badal holds the record for being the longest-serving Chief Minister of Punjab. He served five terms, with his first term starting in 1970 and his last term ending in 2017.
3. Who was the first woman Chief Minister of Punjab?
Answer: Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was the first and only woman Chief Minister of Punjab. She served from 21 January 1996 to 12 February 1997.
4. Who was the first Dalit Chief Minister of Punjab?
Answer: Charanjit Singh Channi was the first Dalit Chief Minister of Punjab. He served from 20 September 2021 to 16 March 2022.
5. Who is the current Chief Minister of Punjab?
Answer: As of February 2025, Bhagwant Singh Mann is the current Chief Minister of Punjab. He assumed office on 16 March 2022.
6. Who is known as the “Architect of Modern Punjab”?
Answer: Pratap Singh Kairon is often referred to as the “Architect of Modern Punjab.” His tenure (1956–1964) saw significant industrial and agricultural development, including the establishment of Faridabad as an industrial township.
7. How many times has President’s Rule been imposed in Punjab?
Answer: President’s Rule has been imposed in Punjab 8 times, with the first instance occurring in 1951. The longest spell was from 1987 to 1992, during the peak of militancy in the state.
8. Who was the youngest Chief Minister of Punjab?
Answer: Parkash Singh Badal was the youngest Chief Minister of Punjab, assuming office for the first time at the age of 43 in 1970.
9. Which Chief Minister of Punjab later became the President of India?
Answer: Giani Zail Singh, who served as Punjab’s Chief Minister from 1972 to 1977, later became the seventh President of India (1982–1987).
10. Who was the Chief Minister of Punjab during the Green Revolution?
Answer: Pratap Singh Kairon was the Chief Minister of Punjab during the early years of the Green Revolution. His policies laid the foundation for Punjab to become the “Food Bowl of India.”
11. Who was the Chief Minister of Punjab during the 1962 Indo-China War?
Answer: Pratap Singh Kairon was the Chief Minister of Punjab during the 1962 Indo-China War. He played a key role in mobilizing defense funds and recruiting soldiers for the war effort.
12. Who was the first Akali Dal Chief Minister of Punjab?
Answer: Justice Gurnam Singh was the first Akali Dal Chief Minister of Punjab. He served two non-consecutive terms, from 1967 to 1970.
13. Which Chief Minister of Punjab was a former comedian?
Answer: Bhagwant Singh Mann, the current Chief Minister of Punjab, was a former comedian before entering politics.
14. Who was the Chief Minister of Punjab during the peak of militancy?
Answer: Beant Singh served as Chief Minister from 1992 to 1995 and played a crucial role in restoring law and order during the peak of militancy in Punjab.
15. How many Chief Ministers has Punjab had since independence?
Answer: Since independence, Punjab has had 17 Chief Ministers, including the current Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann.