The political landscape of India has seen a significant representation of women in leadership roles, particularly as Chief Ministers (CMs) across various states. As of February 2025, with the recent appointment of Rekha Gupta as the Chief Minister of Delhi, the number of female CMs in Indian history has increased. This article provides a detailed overview of notable female Chief Ministers in India, their respective states, and their tenures.
Notable Female Chief Ministers
| Name | State | Tenure |
| Sucheta Kripalani | Uttar Pradesh | October 2, 1963 - March 14, 1967 |
| Nandini Satpathy | Odisha | March 14, 1973 - September 1, 1977 |
| Shashikala Kakodkar | Goa | August 1973 - April 1979 |
| Anwara Taimur | Assam | December 1980 - June 1981 |
| Vaikom Narayani Janaki Ramachandran | Tamil Nadu | January 7, 1988 - January 30, 1988 |
| J. Jayalalithaa | Tamil Nadu | May 14, 1991 - May 15, 1996 (1st term); May 2001 - September 27, 2001 (2nd term); May 23, 2015 - December 5, 2016 (3rd term) |
| Mayawati | Uttar Pradesh | June 3, 1995 - October 18, 1995 (1st term); May 2007 - March 15, 2012 (2nd term) |
| Rajinder Kaur Bhattal | Punjab | February 1997 - May 1997 |
| Rabri Devi | Bihar | July 1997 - February 2005 |
| Sushma Swaraj | Delhi | October 1998 - February 1999 |
| Sheila Dikshit | Delhi | December 1998 - December 2013 |
| Uma Bharti | Madhya Pradesh | November 2003 - August 2004 |
| Vasundhara Raje | Rajasthan | December 2003 - December 2008 (1st term); December 2013 - January 2018 (2nd term) |
| Anandiben Patel | Gujarat | May 2014 - August 2016 |
| Mehbooba Mufti | Jammu and Kashmir | April 4, 2016 - June 19, 2018 |
| Mamata Banerjee | West Bengal | May 20, 2011 - Present |
| Atishi | Delhi | February - February (2025 interim) |
| Rekha Gupta | Delhi | February 20, 2025 - Present |
Rekha Gupta: A New Chapter for Delhi
Rekha Gupta's recent election as the Chief Minister of Delhi marks a historic moment as she becomes the fourth woman to hold this office in the national capital. Born in Haryana's Jind district in 1974, Gupta has had a long-standing association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Her political career started in student politics when she was chosen as the president of the Delhi University Students' Union in 1996-97.
Gupta started her term as a councillor in 2007 from North Pitampura and then from Shalimar Bagh. Throughout her political career in local government, she played a pivotal role in initiating educational reforms and setting up community centers like swimming pools and women and children health check-up camps. In spite of her past electoral setbacks, such as her defeat in the mayoral elections in 2023, her determination resulted in her winning the recent assembly polls by a handsome margin.
Also Read | Delhi's New Chief Minister: Rekha Gupta's Net Worth
Her appointment follows a 27-year gap since the BJP last occupied power in Delhi. Gupta's tenure is expected to conform to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the capital city. She thanked the party leadership for this responsibility.
The induction of Rekha Gupta to the list of female leaders in Indian politics enhances the legacy of women in Indian politics. The more women get involved in leading roles in governmental frameworks, the more their achievements open doors for generations to come. The process of women becoming Chief Ministers illustrates not just individual success but overall societal transformation toward gender equality in political representation. As Gupta enters her new assignment, she joins a prestigious club of women who have influenced Indian politics.
Also Read | Delhi’s New CM Rekha Gupta: Check Her Biography, Educational Qualifications, Achievements, and Other Details
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