It has been the history of India where some chief ministers of some states are much more popular than others, mainly because of the things they stand for or the work they do in their states, or maybe just because of some controversies surrounding them. But in the last few election terms or so, the story has been quite the same, there are a few CMs like Yogi Adityanath and Mamata Banerjee, but what about the others? Well, that is precisely what we are onto today because here we will be taking a good look at who are the top 10 most popular chief ministers in India as of 2025. Alright, here we go now.
1. Yogi Adityanath – Uttar Pradesh (33.2%)
Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, still is the most popular CM in 2025 despite a national rating of just 33.2%. Like, known for his tough stance on law and order, he, in fact, got the name “Bulldozer Baba” for his kinda aggressive policies to deal with crime in the state. Just so you know, Yogi’s neighboring influence, even though it slightly trembled after the BJP’s latest Lok Sabha performance, still stands strong. Not just that though, his clear focus on infrastructure development and simple governance are, thus, tools with which his insane popularity will be secured for the coming few years or so.
2. Mamata Banerjee – West Bengal (9.1%)
Mamata Banerjee maintaining 2nd place with a 9.1% approval rating seems convincing. Though, before her, Arvind Kejriwal used to be in 2nd place, but now, he is not the Delhi CM anymore. Desiring to remain true to her supporters by following a staunchly anti-establishment course, she has won the battle for West Bengal. Her government’s welfare programs, such as the “Kanyashree” scheme for girls, have proved very effective among lower-income people. Even after facing many hurdles aka controversies and opposition, Banerjee stayed at the top level of CM’s popularity ranking due to her local approach.
3. M.K. Stalin – Tamil Nadu (4.7%)
The CM of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin used a 4.7% rating to secure a 3rd position. And just so you know, famous for the new manner of communication, he added a scheme “Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam” which is a delivery of healthcare at citizens’ homes. Like, he really applied the principles of the Dravidian model of governance with a priority being social welfare and inclusiveness. While he is mainly region-affected, his exercises in government have become his trust and a big part of the party down there in Tamil Nadu.
4. Chandrababu Naidu – Andhra Pradesh (4.6%)
Once again, returning to the chair, Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is 4th with a 4.6% rating. You know, he is widely regarded for his IT-led growth agenda and has significantly contributed to putting Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of the IT and business sectors. Like, starting with his recent rise to power, he strengthened his reputation by being a record of policy development and pro-firms such as Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority.
5. Devendra Fernandes – Maharashtra (3.1%)
Devendra Fadnavis, the current Chief Minister of Maharashtra, took office for his third term on 5th December 2024, leading the Mahayuti coalition (BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP). Known for his administrative discipline and pro-development agenda, he quickly sanctioned medical aid and acted on flood relief in East Vidarbha. He revoked the three-language policy amid backlash and emphasized transparency in ministerial appointments. Fadnavis also focused on Maharashtra’s economic growth, aiming for a $1 trillion economy by 2030. His calm leadership, anti-corruption steps, and strong stance on public accountability continue to shape his popularity across the state.
6. Siddaramaiah – Karnataka (2.7%)
Next on the list, Siddaramaiah has been re-elected as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, holding the 6th position with a 2.7% rating. He is popular for his welfare programs, such as the free public transport service for women in the state, which somehow made him a super popular candidate. All in all, his popularity is particularly strong in Karnataka, where his welfare-based approach has won him great approval.
7. Himanta Biswa Sarma – Assam (2%)
Among all the CMs in Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma comes in with a 2% popularity index which ranks him 7th. Like, Himanta Biswa Sarma is the person who thinks that he should be approachable, especially on security measures and crime-stopping for the militants. In his state, he has been trying to provide a strong hand in solving issues. His commitment to healthcare, the development of infrastructure, and safeguarding the border is what the people of Assam admire the most about him.
8. Pushkar Singh Dhami – Uttarakhand (0.5%)
Then, Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, is ranked 8th with 0.5% approval. Being a youth leader, Pushkar Singh Dhami is taking his aim and efforts for developing Uttarakhand to the next level, applying himself to what is being defined as a high developmental priority like tourism and development of the mountain areas to cater to the visitors.
9. Nitish Kumar – Bihar (0.5%)
Nitish Kumar is often in the news for various reasons, and so no wonder he is one of the most popular CMs in the country, even as of 2024. Right now, with a popularity of just 0.5%, Nitish Kumar is the 2nd last name on this list. He is known as a leader who follows his social policy in a democratic manner, and who takes firm steps to ensure order in Bihar, however, Kumar’s prolonged tenure also symbolizes stability in governance.
10. Rekha Gupta – Delhi
Last on the list is the newly appointed Rekha Gupta from BJP became the Chief Minister of Delhi on 20 February 2025, representing Shalimar Bagh (won by approx. 29,600 votes). She is the fourth woman to hold this position after Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi Marlena. Her early tenure has focused on sustainable energy (e.g., free rooftop solar under the Resco model), infrastructure readiness for the 2036 Olympics, flood risk mitigation via Yamuna conservation efforts, and prudent fiscal management (canceling a ₹60 lakh official-residence tender).
Conclusion
As for the recent reports, these are by far the most popular and influential chief ministers in India, and that is pretty much going to be the case for their current term. In the next election cycle, we’ll be again with this list, and we’ll only be able to determine who will hold their position in this rank.