N. Rangasamy sworn in as Puducherry Chief Minister for a record fifth term
On 13 May 2026 Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan administered the oath to All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) leader N. Rangasamy as Chief Minister of Puducherry for a fifth term at Lok Nivas, heading an NDA government that won 18 of 30 seats.
Summary
N. Rangasamy, founder of the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), was sworn in as Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry for a record fifth term on 13 May 2026 at Lok Nivas, Puducherry, where Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan administered the oaths of office and secrecy. BJP legislature party leader A. Namassivayam and AINRC legislator Malladi Krishna Rao were sworn in as ministers in the NDA's second consecutive government in the UT. In the 30-member Assembly the NDA won 18 seats — AINRC 12, BJP 4, and one each for the AIADMK and the Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi — and Rangasamy won both seats he contested, Mangalam and Thattanchavady. Article 239A of the Constitution, inserted by the 14th Amendment in 1962, lets Parliament create by law a Legislature and a Council of Ministers for Puducherry.
Key facts
- Sworn in
- 13 May 2026, Lok Nivas, Puducherry; fifth term as CM
- Oath by
- Lt Governor K. Kailashnathan
- Ministers
- A. Namassivayam (BJP), Malladi Krishna Rao (AINRC)
- Result
- NDA 18 of 30 — AINRC 12, BJP 4, AIADMK 1, LJK 1
- Seats won by CM
- Mangalam and Thattanchavady
- Constitution
- Art. 239A (14th Amendment, 1962): Parliament may create Legislature/Council of Ministers for Puducherry
Practice MCQs 3 questions
N. Rangasamy, sworn in as Chief Minister of Puducherry on 13 May 2026, began which term in the post?
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Correct answer: A — Fifth
Rangasamy was sworn in for a record fifth term as Puducherry Chief Minister.
Who administered the oath of office to N. Rangasamy as Chief Minister of Puducherry on 13 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan
Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan administered the oaths of office and secrecy at Lok Nivas, Puducherry.
Consider the following statements about Article 239A of the Constitution of India: 1. It enables Parliament, by law, to create a Legislature and/or a Council of Ministers for the Union Territory of Puducherry. 2. A law made under it is not deemed to be an amendment of the Constitution for the purposes of Article 368. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Article 239A, inserted by the Constitution (Fourteenth Amendment) Act, 1962, provides for both, and clause (2) says such a law is not an amendment for Article 368.