Chief Ministers of Nagaland
11 people have held the office, across 20 terms, from formation to today.
Every Chief Minister
Most recent first, with a short biography where one is available.
Shürhozelie Liezietsu
22 Feb 2017 – 19 Jul 2017 · 4 months
Shürhozelie Liezietsu (born 20 November 1936) is an Indian politician from Nagaland. He was the 11th Chief Minister of Nagaland. He also served as the president of Naga People's Front. Wikipedia →
24 May 2014 – 8 Mar 2018 · 3 years, 4 months · 2 terms
Taditui Rangkau Zeliang (born 21 February 1952) is an Indian politician who is 4th serving as the Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland under Neiphiu Rio alongside Yanthungo Patton. He has served twice as the Chief Minister of Nagaland, from May 2014 to February 2017 and from July 2017 to March 2018. A leader of the Naga People's Front, T. R. Zeliang previously served as a Member of Parliament, representing Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament. Wikipedia →
Neiphiu Rio
Incumbent6 Mar 2003 – present · 19 years, 6 months · 3 terms
Neiphiu Rio (born 11 November 1950) is an Indian politician serving as the Chief Minister of Nagaland and leader of the house in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly since 2018. Previously serving from 2003 to 2014, he is the longest serving Chief Minister of Nagaland. He was also a Member of Parliament from Nagaland in Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2018. Wikipedia →
Vamüzo Phesao
19 Jun 1990 – 2 Apr 1992 · 1 year, 9 months
Vamuzo Phesao was a Naga politician. He became the Chief Minister of Nagaland in 1990. Wikipedia →
16 May 1990 – 19 Jun 1990 · 1 month
K. L. Chishi (born 1 January 1944) is an Indian politician from Indian National Congress (INC). He was the founder chief of the Nationalist Democratic Movement, a political party in the Indian state of Nagaland. He served as Chief Minister of Nagaland in 1990 for 28 days before resigning from office. Wikipedia →
18 Apr 1980 – 6 Mar 2003 · 15 years, 4 months · 4 terms
Senayangba Chubatoshi Jamir (born 17 October 1931) is an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Nagaland. He was Parliamentary Secretary to Jawaharlal Nehru and Deputy Minister under Indira Gandhi. He also served on various gubernatorial positions, such as in Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. Wikipedia →
10 Mar 1975 – 18 Nov 1982 · 2 years, 5 months · 2 terms
Jasokie Zinyü (1927 – 19 October 2005), also known as John Bosco Jasokie, was an Indian politician from the state of Nagaland. He became the Chief Minister of Nagaland on two occasions as part of the Naga National Democratic Party. He was also a music composer and an accomplished singer of his time and is best known for composing the Angami folk song "Ara Kezivi" . Wikipedia →
Vizol Angami
26 Feb 1974 – 18 Apr 1980 · 3 years, 5 months · 2 terms
Vizol Vitso-n Koso (16 November 1914 – 3 March 2008) was an Indian politician from Nagaland who served as the 4th Chief Minister of Nagaland twice from February 1974 until March 1975 and November 1977 until April 1980. He became the Chief Minister of Nagaland as part of the United Democratic Front (Nagaland). Wikipedia →
22 Feb 1969 – 7 Aug 1988 · 6 years, 9 months · 2 terms
Hokishe Sema (6 March 1921 – 31 January 2007) was an Indian politician who served as the third Chief Minister of Nagaland and the fourth Governor of Himachal Pradesh. He was also a member of the drafting committee of the Naga People's Convention. Wikipedia →
Thepfülo-u Nakhro
14 Aug 1966 – 22 Feb 1969 · 2 years, 6 months
1 Dec 1963 – 14 Aug 1966 · 2 years, 8 months
P. Shilu Ao (24 December 1916 – 19 September 1988) was an Indian politician who was involved in the negotiations leading to the creation of Nagaland, in the north-eastern part of India, as one of the states and territories of India in December 1963. Ao then served as the first Chief Minister of Nagaland until August 1966. Ao played a part in persuading the Indian Government and the Lok Sabha to grant Nagaland separate statehood but was not able to reconcile with many Naga nationalists, who regarded him and his party as stooges of the central government. Wikipedia →
Full timeline
Every term and every President's or Governor's Rule interval, most recent first.
| 8 Mar 2018 – present | Neiphiu Rio | NDPP | 8 years, 6 months |
| 19 Jul 2017 – 8 Mar 2018 | T. R. Zeliang | NPF | 7 months |
| 22 Feb 2017 – 19 Jul 2017 | Shürhozelie Liezietsu | NPF | 4 months |
| 24 May 2014 – 22 Feb 2017 | T. R. Zeliang | NPF | 2 years, 8 months |
| 12 Mar 2008 – 24 May 2014 | Neiphiu Rio | NPF | 6 years, 2 months |
| 3 Jan 2008 – 12 Mar 2008 | President's / Governor's Rule — President's rule | 2 months | |
| 6 Mar 2003 – 3 Jan 2008 | Neiphiu Rio | NPF | 4 years, 9 months |
| 22 Feb 1993 – 6 Mar 2003 | S. C. Jamir | INC | 10 years |
| 2 Apr 1992 – 22 Feb 1993 | President's / Governor's Rule — President's rule | 10 months | |
| 19 Jun 1990 – 2 Apr 1992 | Vamüzo Phesao | NPC | 1 year, 9 months |
| 16 May 1990 – 19 Jun 1990 | K. L. Chishi | INC | 1 month |
| 25 Jan 1989 – 10 May 1990 | S. C. Jamir | INC | 1 year, 3 months |
| 7 Aug 1988 – 25 Jan 1989 | President's / Governor's Rule — President's rule | 5 months | |
| 28 Oct 1986 – 7 Aug 1988 | Hokishe Sema | INC | 1 year, 9 months |
| 18 Nov 1982 – 28 Oct 1986 | S. C. Jamir | UDFP | 3 years, 11 months |
| 5 Jun 1980 – 18 Nov 1982 | John Bosco Jasokie | NNDP | 2 years, 5 months |
| 18 Apr 1980 – 5 Jun 1980 | S. C. Jamir | UDFP | 1 month |
| 25 Nov 1977 – 18 Apr 1980 | Vizol Angami | UDF | 2 years, 4 months |
| 20 Mar 1975 – 25 Nov 1977 | President's / Governor's Rule — President's rule | 2 years, 8 months | |
| 10 Mar 1975 – 20 Mar 1975 | John Bosco Jasokie | NNDP | 10 days |
| 26 Feb 1974 – 10 Mar 1975 | Vizol Angami | UDF | 1 year |
| 22 Feb 1969 – 26 Feb 1974 | Hokishe Sema | NNO | 5 years |
| 14 Aug 1966 – 22 Feb 1969 | Thepfülo-u Nakhro | NNO | 2 years, 6 months |
| 1 Dec 1963 – 14 Aug 1966 | P. Shilu Ao | NNO | 2 years, 8 months |
Neiphiu Rio's current (3rd) term spans two Assemblies (2018 and 2023 elections) with no break; treated as NDPP throughout per standard reporting.