By Digi Team The Prime Minister of India holds one of the most powerful and challenging jobs in the world. As the head of government for the world’s largest democracy, this individual steers the nation’s course through social, economic, and political currents. To understand the story of modern India is to understand the leaders who have held this office, which is why we’ve created a comprehensive list of all Prime Ministers of India since the country’s independence in 1947.
Key Takeaways
- Early Dominance: The Indian National Congress, particularly the Nehru-Gandhi family, held the Prime Minister’s office for the majority of India’s first five decades.
- Coalition Era: The late 1980s and 1990s were marked by political instability and a series of short-lived coalition governments, reflecting a more fragmented political landscape.
- Economic Turning Point: The tenure of P.V. Narasimha Rao in the early 1990s is a critical milestone, as his government ushered in the era of economic liberalization that transformed India’s economy.
- The Rise of the BJP: The late 1990s saw the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a major national force, culminating in stable governments under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and later, Narendra Modi.
The Dawn of a Nation: The Nehruvian Era (1947-1966)
1Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-1964)
As India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru was the chief architect of the modern nation. He took office on August 15, 1947, and his tenure of nearly 17 years is the longest in Indian history.
Nehru was a visionary who laid the foundations for India’s democratic institutions and championed a path of industrialization and scientific progress. He was a key figure in the Non-Aligned Movement, positioning India as a sovereign power on the global stage, independent of both the US and the Soviet Union.
2Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting PM, 1964 & 1966)
Gulzarilal Nanda served as the acting Prime Minister on two brief occasions, each for just 13 days. He first stepped in after Nehru’s death in 1964 and again after the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1966, providing stability during moments of national uncertainty.
3Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964-1966)
Lal Bahadur Shastri was a man of great integrity and simplicity. Though his tenure was short, it was impactful. He led the country during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and gave the nation the iconic slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” (Hail the soldier, Hail the farmer), emphasizing the importance of both national security and food self-sufficiency. His sudden death in Tashkent remains a topic of speculation.
A Powerful Legacy and Political Upheaval (1966-1984)
1Indira Gandhi (1966-1977 & 1980-1984)
Nehru’s daughter, Indira Gandhi, was India’s first and, to date, only female Prime Minister. Her long tenure was marked by strong, decisive leadership and immense controversy.
She led India to a decisive victory against Pakistan in the 1971 war, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh. However, her time in office is also defined by the imposition of The Emergency (1975-1977), a 21-month period where civil liberties were suspended. After a brief period out of power, she returned in 1980, but her second term was tragically cut short by her assassination in 1984.
2Morarji Desai (1977-1979)
Morarji Desai holds the distinction of being the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India. He led the Janata Party, a coalition of diverse political groups united by their opposition to Indira Gandhi’s Emergency. His government restored democratic norms but was plagued by internal conflicts, leading to its collapse in just over two years.
3Charan Singh (1979-1980)
Following the fall of the Desai government, Charan Singh became Prime Minister. He is known for being a champion of India’s farmers. However, he never faced Parliament and resigned after just 23 days once the Congress party withdrew its support.
Coalitions, Reforms, and a New Generation (1984-1998)
1Rajiv Gandhi (1984-1989)
After his mother’s assassination, Rajiv Gandhi came to power on a wave of national sympathy, winning a historic landslide victory. He was seen as a modern, youthful leader who pushed for technological advancements, particularly in telecommunications and computing. His government, however, became embroiled in the Bofors scandal, which contributed to his defeat in the 1989 election.
2V. P. Singh (1989-1990)
V. P. Singh‘s government is remembered for one landmark decision: the implementation of the Mandal Commission report. This report recommended reservations in government jobs for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a move that fundamentally reshaped India’s political landscape.
3Chandra Shekhar (1990-1991)
With a small breakaway group from the Janata Dal, Chandra Shekhar became Prime Minister with outside support from the Congress party. His government lasted just seven months, a clear sign of the political instability of the era.
4P. V. Narasimha Rao (1991-1996)
Often called the “father of Indian economic reforms,” P. V. Narasimha Rao took charge when India was on the brink of bankruptcy. Alongside his Finance Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, he dismantled the ‘License Raj’ and opened up the Indian economy to global trade and investment. These reforms set the stage for India’s subsequent economic growth.
5The 13-Day and 13-Month Governments (1996-1998)
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1996): His first term lasted only 13 days as the BJP couldn’t muster a majority.
- H. D. Deve Gowda (1996-1997): Headed the United Front coalition government for less than a year.
- I. K. Gujral (1997-1998): Another United Front Prime Minister whose tenure was also brief.
Stability and a New Political Order (1998-Present)
1Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998-2004)
A statesman and a celebrated orator, Atal Bihari Vajpayee led the first non-Congress government to complete a full five-year term. His tenure was eventful, marked by the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, victory in the Kargil War against Pakistan, and major infrastructure projects like the Golden Quadrilateral highway network.
2Manmohan Singh (2004-2014)
The architect of the 1991 reforms returned as Prime Minister, leading the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for two consecutive terms. His time in office saw strong economic growth, the launch of social welfare programs like MGNREGA, and the landmark Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal. His second term, however, was marred by a series of corruption allegations against his government.
3Narendra Modi (2014-Present)
Narendra Modi stormed to power in 2014 with the first single-party majority for any party in three decades, a feat he repeated in 2019. His premiership has been characterized by a focus on Hindu nationalism, decisive economic policies like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetization, and a strong, personalized foreign policy. He has significantly reshaped India’s political and social fabric.
Conclusion
The journey through the list of all Prime Ministers of India is a journey through the nation’s own history. From the nation-building vision of Nehru to the economic liberalization under Rao and the definitive political shift under Modi, each leader has left an indelible mark. Their decisions, successes, and failures have collectively shaped the India we live in today. The Prime Minister’s office continues to be the focal point of India’s vibrant, and often turbulent, democratic experiment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India, serving from 1947 until his death in 1964.
Question: Who has been the longest-serving Prime Minister of India?
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru holds the record for the longest tenure, having served as Prime Minister for 16 years and 286 days.
Question: Who was the first female Prime Minister of India?
Answer: Indira Gandhi was India’s first and only female Prime Minister to date.
Question: How many individuals have served as Prime Minister of India?
Answer: To date, 14 individuals have served as the Prime Minister of India, with Gulzarilal Nanda also serving twice as an acting Prime Minister.
Question: Who is the current Prime Minister of India?
Answer: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India, having been in office since May 26, 2014.