Study Guides/Civics/First Chief Minister of India
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Who was the First Chief Minister of India?

The first Chief Minister of independent India was Govind Ballabh Pant, who served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (then called United Provinces) from 1946 to 1954.

Question (Click to Flip)

Who was the first Chief Minister of India?

Answer

Govind Ballabh Pant was the first Chief Minister, serving as CM of Uttar Pradesh (United Provinces) from 1946.

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Key Facts

First CM of India (UP): Govind Ballabh Pant.

State: Uttar Pradesh (then United Provinces).

Period: 1946โ€“1954.

Later Role: Home Minister of India (1955โ€“1961).

Award: Bharat Ratna (1957).

Why is This Question Tricky?

India doesn't have one 'First Chief Minister' โ€” each state has its own. However, since Uttar Pradesh was the largest and most politically significant state at independence, and since Govind Ballabh Pant led the first government there (even before Independence, from 1946), he is often cited as the 'First Chief Minister of India' in textbooks.

About Govind Ballabh Pant

  • Served as CM of United Provinces (Uttar Pradesh) from 1946โ€“1954.
  • Later became India's Home Minister (1955โ€“1961) โ€” succeeding Sardar Patel.
  • Was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1957.
  • Born in Almora (now in Uttarakhand) in 1887.

First CMs of Major States

  • Maharashtra: Yashwantrao Chavan (1960)
  • Tamil Nadu: C. Rajagopalachari (1950)
  • West Bengal: Bidhan Chandra Roy (1948)
  • Kerala: E.M.S. Namboodiripad (1957)

Questions and Answers

Who was the first Chief Minister of India?+

Govind Ballabh Pant was the first Chief Minister, serving as CM of Uttar Pradesh (United Provinces) from 1946.

Who was the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh?+

Govind Ballabh Pant was the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

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