- December 1911: India’s capital city shifted to Delhi from Kolkata.
- Ruled by a Chief Commissioner under India’s Viceroy.
- Delhi as a Chief Commissioner’s province: by the Government of India Act – in 1919 and 1935.
- July 1947: the Pattabhi Sittaramayya Committee – was in favour of greater autonomy for Delhi.
- Post the Independence: Chief Commissioner under India’s President of the Nation.
- 26 January 1950: India adopted its Constitution. Delhi was made a Part-C State. It was centrally administered by the Union Government of India.
- Part-C State: former Chief Commissioner’s provinces + some princely states – governed by the President of India through his representative
- 1951: Government of Part-C states of India allowed to have legislative assemblies – but with limited powers –
- 1952: First Legislative Assembly in Delhi.
- 1st CM: Brahm Prakash (34), from the Congress party. Took oath as CM on March 17, 1952.
- CM Vs Chief Commissioner: the rift saw his resignation. February 12, 1955.
- 2nd CM of Delhi: Gurumukh Nihal Singh – then a Daryaganj MLA.
- 1 November 1956: under the States Reorganisation Act, of 1956, Delhi was converted from a state to a Union Territory, and the assembly was dissolved. And on November 1, 1956, then CM Nihal Singh resigned.
- What the States Reorganization Act said: no separate govt for Delhi.
- 1957: The Delhi Municipal Corporation Act was thus passed. A municipal corporation for Delhi was established.
- 1966: The Delhi Administration Act of 1966 was passed. It established a Metropolitan Council in Delhi. It was an elected body of 56 members and five nominated members (by the President of India). Had only recommendatory powers.
- Decision-making authority in Delhi then: with the Union Government – through the LG or Delhi’s administrator. The Delhi Metropolitan Council was an elected body to advise the Lieutenant Governor.
- Delhi Metropolitan Council: to be headed by the Chairman and the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC).
- Interim Metropolitan Council: 3rd Oct 1966 to 27th March 1967 – Chairman – Jag Parvesh Chandra
- First Metropolitan Council: the BJP won the election – 1967 to 1972 – Chairman – L. K. Advani (28th March 1967 to 19th April 1970) – Chairman – Shyam Charan Gupta (19th April 1970 to 19th March 1972)
- Second Metropolitan Council: the Congress won the polls – 1972 to 1977 – Chaiman – Mir Mustaq Ahmed (20th March 1972 to 27th June 1977)
- Third Metropolitan Council: the Janata Party won the polls – 1977 to 1983 – Chairman – Kalka Dass (28th June 1977 to 17th March 1983)
- Fourth Metropolitan Council: the Congress won the poll – 1983 to 1990 – Chairman – Purushottam Goyal (from 18th March 1983)
- 1991: National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991
- 2nd January 1992: The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1992 enacted.
- Delhi to have a legislative assembly: with 70 members (one chief minister + six ministers).
- Delhi government with restricted power: with land and law and order with the Union Government.
- Eight assembly elections in Delhi post it: in 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2020 and 2025.
- 1993 to 1998: the BJP won the assembly election in 1993 and had its government till 1998.
- 1998 to 2013: the Congress won three assembly polls, in 1998, 2003 and 2008, running its government from 1998 to 2013.
- 2013 to 2014: an AAP government supported by the Congress – ran for 49 days with its CM resigning on 14 February 2014. The 49-day government in Delhi. AAP was the second largest party, with the BJP being the largest one, and formed a government with outside support.
- 2014 to 2015: President’s Rule in Delhi – from 17th February 2014 to 14th February 2015.
- 2015 to 2025: two successive AAP governments in Delhi – with the party winning 2015 and 2025 assembly elections – defending its government in the 2025 assembly elections concluded on 5 February 2025.
- 2025 assembly elections: BJP wins with 48 seats. AAP gets a massive defeat with 22 seats. Congress gets a zero again.
