India Prime Ministers List (1947-2024):Tenures, Facts, and Key Responsibilities

India Prime Ministers List(1947-2024): India, the world’s largest democracy, has seen a remarkable journey since gaining independence in 1947. At the helm of this journey have been its Prime Ministers, each leaving their mark on the nation’s course.

India’s first prime minister was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He started in 1947 when India became independent. He served for a long time, more than 16 years! Then came Indira Gandhi. She was also the first woman Prime Minister of India.. She worked for the country for 11 years, making her the second-longest-serving Prime Minister. Now, we have Mr. Narendra Damodar das Modi and the 14th Prime Minister of India. He started his role in 2014.

Soon, India will have its 16th Prime Minister because there will be a new general election. PM Modi became the 15th Prime Minister of India after winning the Lok Sabha elections 2024. This article will tell you all about the Prime Ministers of India and what they do from 1947 to 2024.Today, we delve into the tenures, interesting facts, and key responsibilities of these leaders who shaped modern India.

Important Facts About India’s Prime Ministers(1947-2024):

• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: He was the first Prime Minister of India and played a big role in getting independence. He’s known as the architect of modern India. He served the longest, more than 16 years.
• Indira Gandhi: She was the second-longest-serving Prime Minister, with 11 years in office. She was also the first woman Prime Minister of India.
• Charan Singh: He was known as the first Prime Minister who focused on helping poor people. He came from a background of working with farmers and was elected from a rural area.
• Morarji Desai: He was the first Prime Minister who wasn’t from the Congress Party. He was also known for his Hindu nationalist views and efforts towards economic reform.
• Rajiv Gandhi: He was the youngest Prime Minister of India. Unfortunately, he was assassinated by a suicide bomber from Sri Lanka in 1989.
• Indira Gandhi faced the most no-confidence votes, with 15 against her during her time as Prime Minister.
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List of all India Prime Ministers(1947-2024)

Name of Prime Minister	Tenures
Jawahar Lal Nehru	15 August 1947 to 27 May 1964 (16 years, 286 days)
Gulzarilal Nanda	27 May 1964 to 9 June (13 days)
Lal Bahadur Shastri	9 June 1964 to 11 January 1966 (1 year, 216 days)
Gulzarilal Nanda	11 January 1966, 24 January 1966 (13 days)
Indira Gandhi	24 January 1966 to 24 March 1977 (11 years, 59 days)
Morarji Desai	24 March 1977 to 28 July 1979 (2 years, 126 days)
Charan Singh	28 July 1979 to 14 January 1980 (170 days)
Indira Gandhi	14 January 1980 to 31 October 1984 (4 years, 291 days)
Rajiv Gandhi	31 October 1984 to 2 December 1989 (5 years, 32 days)
V. P. Singh	2 December 1989 to 10 November 1990 (343 days)
Chandra Shekhar	10 November 1990 to 21 June 1991 (224 days)
P. V. Narasimha Rao	21 June 1991 to 16 May 1996 (4 years, 330 days)
Atal Bihari Vajpayee	16 May 1996 to 1 June 1996 (16 days)
H. D. Deve Gowda	1 June 1996 to 21 April 1997 (324 days)
Inder Kumar Gujral	21 April 1997 to 19 March 1998 (332 days)
Atal Bihari Vajpayee	19 March 1998 to 22 May 2004 (6 years, 64 days)
Manmohan Singh	22 May 2004 to 26 May 2014 (10 years, 4 days)
Narendra Modi	26 May 2014 – Present
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Key Responsibilities of a Prime Minister in India

The Prime Minister of India shoulders a multitude of important responsibilities that shape the nation’s course. Here’s Key Responsibilities of a Prime Minister in India

1. Head of Government: Leads the Council of Ministers, which is the cabinet responsible for formulating and implementing government policies. Appoints and dismisses ministers, allocating portfolios based on their expertise. Acts as the chief spokesperson for the government, representing India on the world stage in bilateral and multilateral forums.
2. Policy Formulation and Implementation: Provides direction and vision for the government’s agenda, setting priorities for key sectors like economy, defense, foreign affairs, social welfare, and infrastructure development. Oversees the implementation of various government policies and programs, ensuring they are effective and reach the intended beneficiaries.
3. National Security and Defense: Chairs the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which makes crucial decisions regarding national security, defense strategy, and foreign policy. Commands the Indian Armed Forces as the supreme commander.

4. Parliament and Legislation: Maintains the confidence of the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) to ensure the government’s stability .Guides the passage of important bills through Parliament, working with the opposition and coalition partners.

5. Economic Management: Sets the broad economic direction in consultation with the Finance Minister. Oversees the formulation of the national budget, focusing on growth, fiscal discipline, and social welfare initiatives.

6. Crisis Management: Provides leadership and direction during national emergencies, natural disasters, or internal security threats. Formulates and implements response strategies to mitigate crises and ensure public safety.

7. Inter-State Relations: Maintains harmonious relations between the central government and the states.Ensures smooth functioning of cooperative federalism, addressing issues like resource sharing and regional development.

8. International Relations: Represents India in international summits and bilateral meetings, forging strategic partnerships and promoting India’s interests on the global stage.Oversees India’s foreign policy, including trade negotiations, diplomatic relations, and participation in international organizations.

9. National Unity and Social Harmony: Promotes national unity and social cohesion, fostering a sense of collective identity among the diverse population. Addresses issues related to social justice, minority rights, and religious harmony

India Prime Ministers List: Power And Function

• Leader of the country: The Prime Minister is like the main leader of the country.
• Chairman of the Cabinet: The Prime Minister leads all the important meetings with other ministers who help run the country. If there’s ever a disagreement, the Prime Minister’s opinion matters most.
• Portfolio Allocation: The Prime Minister decides which ministers are in charge of different important areas of the government.
• Official Representative of the country: The Prime Minister represents India in meetings with other countries and acts as a sort of spokesperson for the nation.
• Chief Advisor: The Prime Minister gives advice to the President, who is the formal head of the country.
• The link between the President and the Cabinet: The Prime Minister makes sure that decisions made by the government are passed on to the President and vice versa. They keep everyone in the loop about what’s happening.

Frequently Asked Questions on India Prime Ministers List