India’s political map keeps changing after every election, bypoll, alliance shift and leadership change. A party may rule a state directly with its own Chief Minister, or it may share power as part of a coalition. So, while making a 2026 list of Congress-ruling states, the cleanest way is to separate direct Congress governments from states where Congress is only an alliance partner.
As of July 2026, the Indian National Congress is directly in power in four states: Karnataka, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala. The Congress party’s state-presence list also places INC in power in these four states, while showing Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu separately as alliance governments where Congress is a partner.
1. Karnataka
Karnataka is one of the major Congress-ruled states in India in 2026.
The state is now led by Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar of the Indian National Congress. This is the corrected position. Siddaramaiah was earlier the Chief Minister, but current 2026 reports identify D. K. Shivakumar as Karnataka Chief Minister. A recent report also mentioned that Shivakumar completed one month as Chief Minister after taking charge on June 3, 2026.
Karnataka is politically important because it is one of the largest southern states and has a strong economy. Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Mangaluru and other regions make the state important for IT, manufacturing, education, startups and exports.
For Congress, Karnataka is a key state because it gives the party a strong base in South India. The government is also politically watched because of welfare schemes, urban development, irrigation issues, farmer-related policies and Bengaluru infrastructure.
2. Telangana
Telangana is another important Congress-ruled state in India in 2026.
The state is led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of the Indian National Congress. He became Chief Minister on 7 December 2023 after Congress defeated the BRS government in the Telangana Assembly election. Current 2026 reports also continue to identify Revanth Reddy as Telangana Chief Minister.
Telangana is important for Congress because it was one of the party’s biggest victories in recent years. Hyderabad is a major technology, pharma, real estate and business centre, while districts such as Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Khammam and Nalgonda add political and economic weight to the state.
The Congress government in Telangana is focusing on welfare promises, agriculture, employment, tourism, irrigation and urban growth. The state is also important because it gives Congress a strong southern presence along with Karnataka and Kerala.
3. Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is also ruled by the Indian National Congress in 2026.
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh is Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He has been serving as Chief Minister since 11 December 2022, and he belongs to the Indian National Congress.
Himachal Pradesh may be a smaller state compared with Karnataka or Telangana, but it is politically important. The state has a history of close contests between Congress and BJP. Its economy depends on tourism, horticulture, hydropower, government services and small industries.
For Congress, Himachal Pradesh is significant because it gives the party a direct government in North India. Issues such as apple farmers, road connectivity, disaster management, tourism, employment and rural development remain central to the state’s politics.
4. Kerala
Kerala is now counted among Congress-led ruling states in India in 2026.
The state is ruled by the Congress-led United Democratic Front, and V. D. Satheesan took oath as Chief Minister on 18 May 2026 after UDF returned to power in Kerala.
Kerala is politically very important because power traditionally changes between the Congress-led UDF and the Left-led LDF. The return of UDF in 2026 made Kerala a major gain for Congress and strengthened its southern political presence.
The state has high literacy, strong social indicators, large overseas migration, tourism, fisheries, health services and a politically active population. For Congress, Kerala is not only a state government but also a major organisational base.
States Where Congress Is an Alliance Partner
Apart from the four direct Congress-ruled states, Congress is also part of ruling alliances in some states and union territories. However, these should not be counted as direct Congress governments because the Chief Minister belongs to another party.
Jharkhand has a JMM-led government, and Congress is a junior alliance partner. Jammu and Kashmir has a National Conference-led government, with Congress as part of the ruling alliance. Tamil Nadu also has Congress as an alliance partner, but the Chief Minister is not from Congress.
Final Words
In 2026, the main Congress-ruling states are Karnataka, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala. Karnataka is led by D. K. Shivakumar, Telangana by Revanth Reddy, Himachal Pradesh by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and Kerala by V. D. Satheesan. Congress is also present in some coalition governments, but those are better counted separately from direct Congress-ruled states.
