The Kerala Council of Ministers is the supreme executive decision-making body of the Government of Kerala, headed by the Chief Minister of Kerala. It consists of members of the Kerala Legislature who are appointed as ministers by the Governor of Kerala on the advice of the Chief Minister to form the executive branch of the Government of Kerala. The ministers hold various portfolios and are responsible for the administration of their respective departments, as allocated by the Chief Minister.
The current state council of ministers were sworn in on 18 May 2026, following the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly election. The term of every executive wing is five years. The council of ministers are assisted by department secretaries attached to each ministry who are from the Kerala cadre of the IAS. The Chief Secretary to the Government act as the principal advisor to the Chief Minister and serve as the ex-officio secretary to the Council of Ministers. The chief executive officer responsible for issuing orders on behalf of the Government is the Chief Secretary to the State Government, currently A. Jayathilak, who assumed office on 24 April 2025.
The Kerala Council of Ministers along with the other elected legislative members assemble at the Kerala Legislative Assembly to introduce new drafts of law (otherwise known as bills), discuss them with other elected members of the assembly, revise the drafts for edits if necessary. A bill once finalised is sent to vote on the floor of the house of Kerala Legislative Assembly and if the bill receives the majority vote, it becomes a binding law else it is rejected and the existing law continues. The members of the Legislative Assembly together also makes the Council of Ministers and the Chief Minister accountable on behalf of the people, for any misuse of executive powers vested with them.
The Kerala Council of Ministers is accountable to periodically evaluate the existing law of the land and ensures they are in the best interest of the society at large, which they represent under a democratic system. Kerala State Governor is also regarded as a member of the Legislative Assembly and may suspend or dissolve when no coalition is able to muster a working majority).
Constitutional requirement For the Council of Ministers to aid and advise Governor According to Article 163 of the Constitution of India,
This means that the Ministers serve under the pleasure of the Governor and he/she may remove them, on the advice of the Chief Minister, whenever they want.
For other provisions as to Ministers According to Article 164 of the Constitution of India,
Present Council of Ministers
The Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan assumed office for his first term on 18 May 2026. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The Governor of Kerala Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to the members of the Council of Ministers.
Chronological order of Kerala Government ministries
NoMandateCabinetChief ministerTerm of officeParty of the CMRuling coalition242026Satheesan ministryV. D. Satheesan18 May 2026–presentINC UDF232021Second Vijayan ministryPinarayi Vijayan20 May 2021—18 May 2026CPI(M)LDF222016First Vijayan ministryPinarayi Vijayan25 May 2016—19 May 2021CPI(M)LDF 212011Second Chandy ministry Oommen Chandy 18 May 2011—20 May 2016INC UDF 202006Achuthanandan ministry V. S. Achuthanandan 18 May 2006—18 May 2011CPI(M) LDF 192004First Chandy ministry Oommen Chandy 31 August 2004—18 May 2006INC UDF 182001Third Antony ministry A. K. Antony 17 May 2001—29 August 2004 171996Third Nayanar ministry E. K. Nayanar 20 May 1996—13 May 2001CPI(M) LDF 161991Second Antony ministry A. K. Antony 22 March 1995—9 May 1996INC UDF 15Fourth Karunakaran ministry K. Karunakaran 24 June 1991—16 March 1995 141987Second Nayanar ministry E. K. Nayanar 26 March 1987—17 June 1991CPI(M) LDF 131982Third Karunakaran ministry K. Karunakaran 24 May 1982—25 March 1987INC UDF 121980Second Karunakaran ministry K. Karunakaran 28 December 1981—17 March 1982Indian National Congress UDF 11First Nayanar ministry E. K. Nayanar 25 January 1980—20 October 1981CPI(M)LDF 101977Koya ministry C. H. Mohammed Koya 12 October 1979—1 December 1979IUML — 9P. K. Vasudevan Nair ministry P. K. Vasudevan Nair 29 October 1978—7 October 1979CPIUnited Front/Ruling Front (or)
Maxi Front (Revamped) 8First Antony ministry A. K. Antony 27 April 1977—27 October 1978INC 7First Karunakaran ministry K. Karunakaran 25 March 1977—25 April 1977INC 61970Second C. Achutha Menon ministry C. Achutha Menon 4 October 1970—25 March 1977CPI United Front/Maxi Front (from 25 September 1971)United Front/Mini Front (till 25 September 1971) 51967First C. Achutha Menon ministry C. Achutha Menon 1 November 1969—1 August 1970CPI Mini Front/Democratic Front 4Second Namboodiripad ministry E. M. S. Namboodiripad 6 March 1967—1 November 1969CPI(M) United Front (Seven Party Alliance) or United Left Front1965No ministry formed 31960Sankar ministryR. Sankar 26 September 1962—10 September 1964INC— 2Pattom A. Thanu Pillai ministryPattom Thanu Pillai 22 February 1960—26 September 1962PSPJoint Front 11957First Namboodiripad ministryE. M. S. Namboodiripad 5 April 1957—31 July 1959CPI—
Oath of office and secrecy of the chief minister and ministers of Kerala
The following are the forms of oath or affirmation administered to the chief minister and ministers of Kerala under the Third Schedule to the Constitution of India.
Oath of Office (English)
(മലയാളം)
Oath of Secrecy (English)
(മലയാളം)
See also List of chief ministers of Kerala List of MPs from Kerala
References
Further reading
External links Kerala Government (official website)