Siddaramaiah becomes India's oldest serving Chief Minister after Vijayan's exit

Bengaluru: Siddaramaiah, 78 years and nine months old, is now India's oldest serving chief minister following Pinarayi Vijayan's resignation after the Left Democratic Front's defeat in Kerala's assembly elections.

Siddaramaiah tops the list, ahead of N Chandrababu Naidu (75), Lalduhoma and Neiphiu Rio (both 74). Pema Khandu remains the youngest at 46.

His career began in 1983 with election as an MLA aged 36. He has since served as minister, Leader of the Opposition, and chief minister for a second term—surpassing D Devaraj Urs as Karnataka's longest-serving CM. He also holds the rare record of presenting 17 state budgets and has overtaken BS Yediyurappa as the state's oldest serving chief minister.