List of Prime Ministers (1947–Present)

Note: The list is arranged from the latest (Incumbent) to the earliest (1947).

Narendra Modi (b. 1950)

Tenure: May 26, 2014 – Incumbent

Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Key Facts:

  • 4th Prime Minister of India to serve two consecutive tenures.
  • First Non-Congress Party Prime Minister to complete two consecutive terms.
  • Born after India's independence.

Dr. Manmohan Singh (b. 1932)

Tenure: May 22, 2004 – May 26, 2014

Party: Indian National Congress (INC)

Key Facts:

  • First Sikh Prime Minister of India.
  • Renowned economist and former Finance Minister credited with the 1991 economic reforms.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924–2018)

Tenure: Oct 13, 1999 – May 22, 2004

Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Key Facts:

  • First non-Congress Prime Minister to complete a full 5-year term.
  • Led India during the Pokhran-II nuclear tests.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924–2018)

Tenure: Mar 19, 1998 – Oct 13, 1999

Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Note: His government fell after losing a vote of confidence by just 1 vote.

I. K. Gujral (1919–2012)

Tenure: Apr 21, 1997 – Mar 18, 1998

Party: Janata Dal

Key Facts:

  • Propounded the "Gujral Doctrine" of foreign policy.

H. D. Deve Gowda (b. 1933)

Tenure: Jun 01, 1996 – Apr 21, 1997

Party: Janata Dal

Key Facts:

  • First Prime Minister of India who was a member of the Rajya Sabha at the time of appointment.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924–2018)

Tenure: May 16, 1996 – Jun 01, 1996

Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Key Facts:

  • Shortest Tenure: Served for only 13 days (Shortest tenure of any PM).

P. V. Narasimha Rao (1921–2004)

Tenure: Jun 21, 1991 – May 16, 1996

Party: Indian National Congress (INC)

Key Facts:

  • Known as the "Father of Indian Economic Reforms".
  • First PM from South India.

Chandra Shekhar (1927–2007)

Tenure: Nov 10, 1990 – Jun 21, 1991

Party: Samajwadi Janata Party

Key Facts:

  • Known as the "Young Turk".
  • Resigned before facing a vote of confidence.

Vishwanath Pratap Singh (1931–2008)

Tenure: Dec 02, 1989 – Nov 10, 1990

Party: Janata Dal

Key Facts:

  • Implemented the Mandal Commission recommendations.
  • First Prime Minister to step down after a vote of no confidence.

Rajiv Gandhi (1944–1991)

Tenure: Oct 31, 1984 – Dec 02, 1989

Party: Indian National Congress (INC)

Key Facts:

  • Youngest PM: Became Prime Minister at the age of 40 years.

Indira Gandhi (1917–1984)

Tenure: Jan 14, 1980 – Oct 31, 1984

Party: Indian National Congress (INC)

Note: Assassinated while in office during this term.

Charan Singh (1902–1987)

Tenure: Jul 28, 1979 – Jan 14, 1980

Party: Janata Party

Key Facts:

  • Only Prime Minister who did not face the Parliament (resigned before the session).
  • Champion of farmers' rights.

Morarji Desai (1896–1995)

Tenure: Mar 24, 1977 – Jul 28, 1979

Party: Janata Party

Key Facts:

  • First Non-Congress Prime Minister of India.
  • Oldest PM: Became Prime Minister at the age of 81.
  • First Prime Minister to resign from office.

Indira Gandhi (1917–1984)

Tenure: Jan 24, 1966 – Mar 24, 1977

Party: Indian National Congress (INC)

Key Facts:

  • First Woman Prime Minister of India.
  • Longest serving PM after Nehru.

Gulzari Lal Nanda (1898–1997)

Tenure: Jan 11, 1966 – Jan 24, 1966 (Acting)

Party: Indian National Congress (INC)

Note: Served as Acting PM following the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Lal Bahadur Shastri (1904–1966)

Tenure: Jun 09, 1964 – Jan 11, 1966

Party: Indian National Congress (INC)

Key Facts:

  • Gave the slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan".
  • Died in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) while in office.

Gulzari Lal Nanda (1898–1997)

Tenure: May 27, 1964 – Jun 09, 1964 (Acting)

Party: Indian National Congress (INC)

Key Facts:

  • First and only Acting Prime Minister.
  • Acted twice as the Prime Minister for short durations.

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964)

Tenure: Aug 15, 1947 – May 27, 1964

Party: Indian National Congress (INC)

Key Facts:

  • First Prime Minister of independent India.
  • Longest Serving: Longest-serving Prime Minister of India (approx 17 years).
  • First to die in office.

Important Facts Summary

  • Longest Serving: Jawaharlal Nehru (approx 17 years).
  • Shortest Tenure: Atal Bihari Vajpayee (13 days in 1996).
  • First Woman PM: Indira Gandhi.
  • First Non-Congress PM: Morarji Desai.
  • Oldest to become PM: Morarji Desai (81 years).
  • Youngest to become PM: Rajiv Gandhi (40 years).
  • First PM to resign from office: Morarji Desai.
  • First PM to lose No-Confidence Motion: V.P. Singh.
  • Only Acting PM: Gulzari Lal Nanda (served twice).
  • PM from Rajya Sabha: Indira Gandhi (1966), H.D. Deve Gowda (1996), I.K. Gujral (1997), Manmohan Singh (2004, 2009).

Practice Questions

Q1: Who was the first Prime Minister of India to be a member of the Rajya Sabha at the time of their appointment?

Answer: Indira Gandhi (1966) was the first. Later, H.D. Deve Gowda, I.K. Gujral, and Manmohan Singh were also members of the Rajya Sabha.

Q2: Who holds the record for the shortest tenure as the Prime Minister of India?

Answer: Atal Bihari Vajpayee (13 days in 1996).

Q3: Who is the only Prime Minister to have served as Acting Prime Minister twice?

Answer: Gulzari Lal Nanda.

Q4: Which Prime Minister did not face the Parliament even once during their tenure?

Answer: Charan Singh.

Q5: Who was the first Prime Minister to step down after a vote of no confidence?

Answer: Vishwanath Pratap Singh (V.P. Singh).