List of Prime Ministers of India

List of Prime Ministers of India

The Prime Minister of India is the head of the government and the leader of the Council of Ministers, serving as the chief of the executive branch of the Union Government. Since India gained independence in 1947, the nation has been guided by individuals of exceptional calibre who have dedicated their lives to the service of the country.

Role and Position of the Prime Minister of India

• Chief executive of the Government of India and chair of the Union Council of Ministers.
• The President of India is the constitutional, nominal, and ceremonial head; the prime minister exercises actual executive authority.
• Elected leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament).
• Can be a member of either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
• Ranks third in the order of precedence in India.
• Responsible for the Lok Sabha at all times.

Appointment and Powers

• Appointed by the President of India.
• Must enjoy the confidence of the majority of Lok Sabha members.
• Presides over the Council of Ministers.
• Has authority over:
  
  
  • Selection and dismissal of ministers.
  • Allocation of posts within the government.
    
    
• The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75(3)).
• Council provides aid and advice to the President, which is binding (Article 74).

Historical Facts

• Since 1947, India has had 14 Prime Ministers.
• Jawaharlal Nehru – First and longest-serving Prime Minister of India.
• Indira Gandhi – First and only woman Prime Minister of India.
• Charan Singh – Only Prime Minister who never faced Parliament.
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee – First non-Congress Prime Minister to complete a full 5-year term.
• Manmohan Singh – First Prime Minister from a minority religion.
• Narendra Modi – Only Prime Minister born in independent India and longest-serving non-Congress PM.

Notable Contributions

• The Prime Minister leads the government in both policy-making and administration.
• Plays a central role in foreign policy, economic reforms, and national security.
• Acts as a link between the President and the Parliament for executive decisions.

Shri Narendra Modi

Shri Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India and the fourth longest-serving in history. Before becoming Prime Minister, he served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for 14 years, where he was recognized for promoting economic growth and developing advanced infrastructure. As Prime Minister, he launched transformative campaigns such as Swachh Bharat, Make in India, and Digital India. In 2018, he became the first Indian to receive the Seoul Peace Prize.

Dr. Manmohan Singh

Dr. Manmohan Singh served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014. His tenure is remembered for the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act, which strengthened India’s democratic framework. He is widely credited for implementing economic reforms and for signing the civil nuclear deal with the United States.

Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as Prime Minister for 13 days in 1996 and for two incomplete terms from 1998 to 2004. He is celebrated for his role in India’s economic growth, making India a nuclear power, and leading the nation to victory in the Kargil War (Operation Vijay).

Shri Inder Kumar Gujral

Shri Inder Kumar Gujral served as Prime Minister for less than a year. Known for his diplomatic expertise, he is most famous for the Gujral Doctrine, a milestone in India’s foreign policy that emphasized cooperation with neighboring countries.

Shri H.D. Deve Gowda

Shri Haradanahalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda served as Prime Minister for under a year. He focused on agriculture and farmers’ welfare and is credited with initiating the Delhi Metro project, earning the title “son of the soil” for his dedication to rural development.

Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao

Shri Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao served from 1991 to 1996. He is widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic liberalization and globalization, transforming India’s economy and opening it to the world.

Shri Chandra Shekhar

Shri Chandra Shekhar was the first Prime Minister to lead a coalition government. Known for his fiery spirit and called the “Young Turk”, he played a key role in preventing India from defaulting on sovereign repayments.

Shri V.P. Singh

Shri Vishwanath Pratap Singh served as Prime Minister from 1989 to 1990. His tenure is remembered for implementing the Mandal Commission Report and passing the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Act of 1989.

Shri Rajiv Gandhi

Shri Rajiv Gandhi became the youngest Prime Minister of India, serving from 1984 to 1989. He promoted science, technology, and higher education reforms, ushering in a modern era for India’s knowledge and industry sectors.

Chaudhary Charan Singh

Chaudhary Charan Singh served as Prime Minister for 170 days. He focused on improving the lives of farmers, and his birth anniversary, 23 December, is celebrated as Kisan Diwas in India.

Shri Morarji Desai

Shri Morarji Desai served from 1977 to 1979. During his tenure, the Forty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution was enacted. He lived to the age of 99, making him the world’s oldest former head of government.

Smt. Indira Gandhi

Smt. Indira Gandhi was India’s first woman Prime Minister and served two terms. She led India to victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh, and controversially imposed Emergency from 1975 to 1977.

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri was India’s third Prime Minister. He promoted the White and Green Revolutions and coined the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”. Under his leadership, India won the 1965 war against Pakistan.

Shri Gulzarilal Nanda

Shri Gulzarilal Nanda served twice as acting Prime Minister. He played a key role in organizing the Indian National Trade Union Congress and was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1997.

Shri Jawaharlal Nehru

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was India’s first Prime Minister and served for 17 years from 1947 to 1964. He is regarded as a founder of modern India, laying the foundations for industrial and technological development. His birth anniversary is celebrated as Children’s Day across the country.