Below is a sequence-wise list of Odisha's leaders, starting with the Prime Ministers of Orissa Province (before India’s independence in 1947) and transitioning to Chief Ministers of Odisha after 1947. Odisha, initially known as Orissa, became a separate province on April 1, 1936, and its leadership structure evolved post-independence when the position of Prime Minister was replaced by Chief Minister under the Constitution of India.
Prime Ministers of Orissa Province (Pre-Independence)
Before India’s independence, Orissa Province had Prime Ministers under British rule. This system ended in 1947 when India became a republic, and the title shifted to Chief Minister.
1. Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo
Tenure: April 1, 1936 – July 19, 1937 (First Term); November 24, 1941 – June 30, 1944 (Second Term)
Party: Independent
Note: A key figure in shaping modern Odisha, he served two non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister.
2. Bishwanath Das
Tenure: July 19, 1937 – November 4, 1939
Party: Indian National Congress
Note: Took over after Gajapati’s first term, leading during a turbulent pre-independence period.
3. Harekrushna Mahatab
Tenure: April 23, 1946 – August 15, 1947
Party: Indian National Congress
Note: The last Prime Minister of Orissa Province, he transitioned into the first Chief Minister post-independence.
Chief Ministers of Odisha (Post-1947)
After India’s independence on August 15, 1947, and the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, Odisha’s leadership shifted to the Chief Minister system. Below is the sequence of Chief Ministers from 1947 onward.
1. Harekrushna Mahatab
Tenure: August 15, 1947 – May 12, 1950 (First Term); October 19, 1956 – February 25, 1961 (Second Term)
Party: Indian National Congress
Note: Continued from his Prime Minister role into the first elected Chief Minister, serving two terms.
2. Nabakrushna Choudhury
Tenure: May 12, 1950 – October 19, 1956
Party: Indian National Congress
Note: Focused on land reforms and education during his tenure.
3. Biju Patnaik
Tenure: June 23, 1961 – October 2, 1963 (First Term); March 5, 1990 – March 15, 1995 (Second Term)
Party: Indian National Congress (First Term); Janata Dal (Second Term)
Note: A visionary leader, he served two non-consecutive terms, known for industrial growth initiatives.
4. Biren Mitra
Tenure: October 2, 1963 – February 21, 1965
Party: Indian National Congress
Note: A short tenure marked by administrative continuity.
5. Sadasiva Tripathy
Tenure: February 21, 1965 – March 8, 1967
Party: Indian National Congress
Note: Oversaw a brief period of political stability.
6. Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo
Tenure: March 8, 1967 – January 9, 1971
Party: Swatantra Party
Note: The first non-Congress Chief Minister, leading a coalition government.
7. Bishwanath Das
Tenure: April 3, 1971 – June 14, 1972
Party: Independent (United Front)
Note: Returned as Chief Minister after serving as Prime Minister pre-independence.
8. Nandini Satpathy
Tenure: June 14, 1972 – March 3, 1973 (First Term); March 6, 1974 – December 16, 1976 (Second Term)
Party: Indian National Congress
Note: Odisha’s first female Chief Minister, serving two terms.
9. Binayak Acharya
Tenure: December 16, 1976 – April 30, 1977
Party: Indian National Congress
Note: A brief tenure during a transitional period.
10.Nilamani Routray
Tenure: June 26, 1977 – February 17, 1980
Party: Janata Party
Note: Led a non-Congress government post-Emergency.
11.Janaki Ballabh Patnaik
Tenure: June 9, 1980 – December 7, 1989 (First Term); March 15, 1995 – February 17, 1999 (Second Term)
Party: Indian National Congress
Note: Served two long terms, focusing on education and culture.
12.Hemananda Biswal
Tenure: December 7, 1989 – March 5, 1990 (First Term); December 6, 1999 – March 5, 2000 (Second Term)
Party: Indian National Congress
Note: A tribal leader with two short tenures.
13.Giridhar Gamang
Tenure: February 17, 1999 – December 6, 1999
Party: Indian National Congress
Note: A brief term marked by political instability.
14.Naveen Patnaik
Tenure: March 5, 2000 – June 12, 2024
Party: Biju Janata Dal
Note: The longest-serving Chief Minister in Odisha’s history, leading for over 24 years.
12.Mohan Charan Majhi
Tenure: June 12, 2024 – Present (as of February 22, 2025)
Party: Bharatiya Janata Party
Note: The current Chief Minister, a tribal leader, marking BJP’s first government in Odisha.This list reflects Odisha’s political journey from its pre-independence Prime Ministers to its post-1947 Chief Ministers, capturing the transition from colonial governance to a democratic state framework. Each leader contributed uniquely to Odisha’s development.