Following 1972 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election, incumbent chief minister Vasantrao Naik was re-appointed, and he formed his third government on 14 March 1972.

[1] This was to be Naik's last government which served until 20 February 1975.

[2] In the 1972 legislative elections, Indian National Congress secured 222 of the state's 278 assembly seats, leading to the incumbent chief minister being re-appointed.

[1] Various ministers were later included in the ministry, and its membership had increased to 30 by November 1974.

[3] The initial ministry consisted of the following 12 cabinet ministers.