The deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu is the deputy to the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, who is the head of the government of Tamil Nadu. The deputy chief minister is the council of ministers of Tamil Nadu's second-highest-ranking member. A deputy chief minister also holds a cabinet portfolio in the state ministry. In the legislative assembly system of government, the position of deputy chief minister is used to govern the state with the support of a single party member to bring political stability and strength within a coalition government or in times of state emergency when a proper chain of command is necessary. On multiple occasions, proposals have arisen to make the post permanent, but without result. The position of deputy chief minister is not explicitly defined in the Constitution of India. However, the Supreme Court of India has clarified that appointing deputy chief ministers is not unconstitutional. The court has also emphasized that a deputy chief minister functions as a minister within the council of ministers led by the chief minister and does not receive a higher salary or additional perks compared to other ministers. During the chief minister's absence, the deputy chief minister may chair cabinet meetings and lead the assembly majority. Additionally, various deputy chief ministers have taken the same oath of secrecy as the chief minister. However, this oath has sparked some controversies.
The office has been only intermittently occupied, with a total tenure of just over 7 years in the 17 years since its inauguration. Since 2009, Tamil Nadu has had 3 deputy chief ministers; none of them have completed a full term in the role. The position was first held by M. K. Stalin of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), who also served as minister for rural development and local administration in M. Karunanidhi’s fifth ministry. Following his tenure, the post remained vacant until O. Panneerselvam of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) assumed the role. He became the longest-serving deputy chief minister, holding the position alongside his responsibilities as finance minister in Edappadi K. Palaniswami's ministry. Most recently, Udhayanidhi Stalin of the DMK was appointed deputy chief minister while also serving as minister for youth welfare and sports development in Stalin's ministry.
The current government does not have a deputy chief minister, and the post has been vacant since 6 May 2026.
List (1) (2)PortraitNameElected constituencyTerm of officeAssemblyAppointerPolitical partyChief MinisterAssumed officeLeft officeTime in office1M. K. Stalin( 1953)Thousand Lights29 May 200914 May 20111 year, 350 days13thSurjit Singh BarnalaDravida Munnetra KazhagamM. Karunanidhi–Vacant (15 May 2011 – 20 August 2017)2O. Panneerselvam( 1951)Bodinayakanur21 August 20173 May 20213 years, 255 days15thC. Vidyasagar RaoAll India Anna Dravida Munnetra KazhagamEdappadi K. Palaniswami–Vacant (4 May 2021 – 27 September 2024)3Udhayanidhi Stalin( 1977)Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni28 September 20245 May 20261 year, 219 days16thR. N. RaviDravida Munnetra KazhagamM. K. Stalin–Vacant (Since 6 May 2026)
Timeline
Statistics List of deputy chief ministers by length of term NamePartyLength of termLongest continuous termTotal duration of deputy chief ministership1O. PanneerselvamAIADMK3 years, 255 days3 years, 255 days2M. K. StalinDMK1 year, 350 days1 year, 350 days3Udhayanidhi StalinDMK1 year, 219 days1 year, 219 days
List by party +Parties by total time-span of their member holding DCMO ( )Political partyNumber of deputy chief ministersTotal days of holding DCMO1All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam11351 days2Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam21299 days
Parties by total duration (in days) of holding Deputy Chief Minister's Office
See also History of Tamil Nadu Politics of Tamil Nadu Elections in Tamil Nadu Governor of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Chief Secretariat of Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly List of current Indian deputy chief ministers Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly List of leaders of the house in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
Notes
References