World Leaders

List of Prime Ministers of India

This list details the 16 individuals who have served as Prime Minister of India, a pivotal role in the nation's governance. It includes prominent figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, and Indira Gandhi.

16 itemsUpdated Mar 13, 2026

The office of the Prime Minister of India is the most powerful political position within the world's largest democracy. Since independence, 16 individuals have shaped India's destiny, steering the nation through immense growth and transformation. Jawaharlal Nehru, the inaugural Prime Minister, laid foundational principles of modern India, championing non-alignment globally and fostering a mixed economy. His vision profoundly influenced India's early foreign policy and domestic development. Following Nehru, Gulzarilal Nanda served twice as acting Prime Minister. Lal Bahadur Shastri, despite his short tenure, left an indelible mark with his leadership during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War and his iconic slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan," emphasizing self-reliance. These early leaders established India's sovereignty and unique democratic identity. Indira Gandhi's ascendancy marked a significant shift in Indian politics. Her strong leadership saw India achieve a decisive victory in the 1971 war, leading to Bangladesh's creation. Her policies, including bank nationalization and the Green Revolution, aimed at socialistic goals and agricultural self-sufficiency. Following her tenure, Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister, leading the Janata Party government, signifying a crucial moment of political diversification. Collectively, these 16 Prime Ministers have been central to India's journey from a newly independent nation to a significant global player. Their decisions have influenced India's economic trajectory, social fabric, and its standing as a "World Leader" in various international forums. From establishing democratic norms to fostering economic growth, their legacy continues to shape contemporary India, reflecting a dynamic and evolving political landscape.

#	Name	End Date	Start Date
1	Jawaharlal Nehru Indian National Congress (1947-1964) India's first and longest-serving Prime Minister, he is considered the architect of modern India, initiating policies of industrialization, non-alignment, and democratic socialism. His tenure established many of India's foundational institutions.	May 27, 1964	Aug 15, 1947
2	Gulzarilal Nanda Indian National Congress (Interim, May 1964 - June 1964) Served as interim Prime Minister for 13 days after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru. He held this position again briefly in 1966.	Jun 9, 1964	May 27, 1964
3	Lal Bahadur Shastri Indian National Congress (1964-1966) Known for the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer), he led India during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and promoted agricultural self-sufficiency. He died in office in Tashkent.	Jan 11, 1966	Jun 9, 1964
4	Indira Gandhi Indian National Congress (1966-1977) India's first and only female Prime Minister, she led India to victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War and implemented significant economic and social reforms, though her first tenure also included the controversial Emergency period.	Mar 24, 1977	Jan 24, 1966
5	Morarji Desai Janata Party (1977-1979) He was the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India, leading the Janata Party government after the Emergency. He focused on economic reforms and improving relations with neighboring countries.	Jul 28, 1979	Mar 24, 1977
6	Charan Singh Janata Party (Secular) (1979-1980) A prominent farmer leader, he served as Prime Minister for a short period, focusing on policies for farmers and rural development. He was the only Prime Minister who never faced parliament.	Jan 14, 1980	Jul 28, 1979
7	Rajiv Gandhi Indian National Congress (1984-1989) He became the youngest Prime Minister of India at age 40 following his mother's assassination. His tenure focused on modernizing India's economy and telecommunications, but was also marred by controversies.	Dec 2, 1989	Oct 31, 1984
8	V. P. Singh Prime Minister of India (1989-1990)	Nov 10, 1990	Dec 2, 1989
9	Chandra Shekhar Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya) (1990-1991) His short-lived government faced economic challenges and relied on external support from the Congress Party.	Jun 21, 1991	Nov 10, 1990
10	P. V. Narasimha Rao Indian National Congress (1991-1996) He is credited with initiating major economic liberalization reforms that transformed India's economy. He was the first Prime Minister from South India.	May 16, 1996	Jun 21, 1991
11	Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bharatiya Janata Party (May 1996 - June 1996) His first term as Prime Minister was the shortest, lasting only 13 days due to a lack of majority.	Jun 1, 1996	May 16, 1996
12	H. D. Deve Gowda Janata Dal (United Front) (1996-1997) He served as Prime Minister leading the United Front coalition government.	Apr 21, 1997	Jun 1, 1996
13	Inder Kumar Gujral Janata Dal (United Front) (1997-1998) Known for the 'Gujral Doctrine' in foreign policy, advocating for friendly relations with India's neighbors without reciprocity.	Mar 19, 1998	Apr 21, 1997
14	Manmohan Singh Indian National Congress (2004-2014) An acclaimed economist, he served as Prime Minister for two consecutive terms, overseeing a period of significant economic growth and implementing social welfare programs like MNREGA. He was India's first Sikh Prime Minister.	May 26, 2014	May 22, 2004
15	Narendra Modi Bharatiya Janata Party (2014-Present) Currently serving his third consecutive term, he has introduced transformative reforms such as GST, Make in India, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and overseen the revocation of Article 370.	—	May 26, 2014
16	Vishwanath Pratap Singh Janata Dal (1989-1990) He led a National Front coalition government and implemented the Mandal Commission recommendations, which provided reservations for Other Backward Classes.	—	—

This list is compiled from verified public records and reference sources. Last verified: March 13, 2026.

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