Chief Minister of Odisha is the head of the Government of Odisha. As per the Constitution of India, the Governor appoints the chief minister. Since 1946, Odisha has had 14 Chief Ministers. The first was Harekrushna Mahatab of the Indian National Congress. Serving since 2000, Naveen Patnaik of the Biju Janata Dal is the incumbent Chief Minister and the longest-serving one in Odisha"s history.

Harekrushna Mahatab
Harekrushna Mahatab was the first Chief Minister of Odisha when a separate state was carved out during British regime. He served as Chief Minister of Odisha from 23rd April1946 to 12th May 1950. In his lifetime he completely vowed himself for the freedom of India and has been jailed several times by the Britons. He is the one who founded Bhubaneswar as the capital. Again in 1956, he became the Chief Minister of Odisha and continued in the office till 1961. He also created a record of becoming first the Non-Congress Chief Minister parting ways with Indian National Congress to form a new party during 1967-71.

Nabakrishna Choudhury
Nabakrishna Choudhury served as Chief Minister of the Indian state of Odisha. On 12th May 1950 he became the Chief Minister of Odisha and worked till 1956. Later he resigned from his post and left the party and started serving the country. He belonged to Indian National Congress.

Bijayananda Patnaik (Biju Patnaik)
Bijayananda Patnaik became the Chief Minister of Odisha from 28th June 1961 to 2nd October 1963 and from 5th March 1990 to 15th March 1995. He was a Freedom Fighter and was the first Indian to land plane on Kashmir. He belonged to Indian National Congress and Janata Dal.

Biren Mitra
Biren Mitra became the Chief Minister of Odisha on 2nd October 1963; however on 21st February 1965 he resigned from the position. He was jailed while participating in Quit India Movement. He belonged to Indian National Congress.

Sadasiba Tripathy
Sadasiba Tripathy became Chief Minister of Odisha from 21st February 1965 to 8th March 1967. He participated in Quit India Movement from 1943 to 1945. He belonged to Indian National Congress.

Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo
Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo was the Chief Minister of Odisha from 8th March1967 to 9th January 1971. He belonged to Swatantra Party and Odisha Jana Congress.

Biswanath Das
Biswanath Das became Chief Minister of Odisha from 3rd April 1971 to 14th June 1972. He is a freedom fighter, great philosopher and a democrat who spent his life for the socio-political expansion of Odisha for more than 50 years. He belonged to United Front.

Nandini Satpathy
Nandini Satpathy became Chief Minister of Odisha from 14th June 1972 to 3rd March 1973 and again from 6th March 1974 to 16th December 1976. She was the first lady Chief Minister of Odisha. She belonged to Indian National Congress.

Binayak Acharya
Binayak Acharya was the Chief Minister of Odisha from 29th December 1976 to 30th April 1977. During Quit India Movement, in 1942 he took care of the undergrounded leaders. He worked for the upliftment of backward class people of the country. He belonged to Indian National Congress.

Nilamani Routray
Nilamani Routray became Chief Minister of Odisha from 26th June 1977 to 17th February 1980. He was strong leader and freedom fighter; dedicated force in trade union movements. He is one of the founders of All India Student"s Federation of Odisha region. He belonged to Janata Party.

Janaki Ballav Patnaik
Janaki Ballav Patnaik became the Chief Minister of Odisha twice; from 9th July 1980 to 7th December 1989 and from 15th March 1995 to 17th February 1999. He belonged to Indian National Congress.

Hemananda Biswal
Shri Hemananda Biswal became the Chief Minister of Odisha twice; from 7th December 1989 to 4th March 1990 and again from 6th December 1999 to 5th March 2000. He belonged to the Indian National Congress party. He was the Organizer of Yubak Sangh, Tribal Welfare Sangh, Athletic Association Dramatic association and Educational Institutions.

Giridhar Gomango
Giridhar Gomango became Chief Minister Odisha from 17th February 1999 to 6th December 1999. He belonged to Indian National Congress.

Naveen Patnaik
Naveen Patnaik, son of Ex-Chief Minister Biju Patnaik became Chief Minister of Odisha consecutively three times; i.e. from 5th March 2000 to 15th May 2004, 16th May 2004 to 20th May 2009 and from 21st May 2009 to till date. He is the founder president of Biju Janata Dal (BJD).