Overview
- Nitish Kumar was sworn in for a record 10th term as Bihar chief minister at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, lifting his cumulative tenure to about 19 years and into the top 10.
- Pawan Kumar Chamling remains the longest-serving chief minister, leading Sikkim for more than 25 years from December 12, 1994, to May 26, 2019.
- Naveen Patnaik’s Odisha tenure spans over 24 years between March 5, 2000, and June 11, 2024, placing him among the longest-serving state leaders.
- Jyoti Basu governed West Bengal for more than 23 years from June 21, 1977, to November 5, 2000, reflecting one of the most enduring continuous stretches in office.
- The compiled lists also feature Gegong Apang (~22 years), Lal Thanhawla (~22 years), Virbhadra Singh (>21 years), Manik Sarkar (~19 years), M. Karunanidhi (>18 years) and Parkash Singh Badal (>18 years) based on cumulative service.