India has had a series of influential leaders serving as Prime Minister since its independence in 1947. The Prime Minister plays a vital role in governing the nation, leading policy changes, and driving economic and social development. In this blog, we provide a complete list of Prime Ministers of India from 1947 to 2025, along with their tenure, achievements, and contributions.
Role of the Prime Minister in India
The Prime Minister is the head of the government and the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha. Some key responsibilities include:
- Formulating and implementing government policies.
- Representing India at the global level.
- Leading economic and social reforms.
- Ensuring national security and defense strategies.
Complete List of Indian Prime Ministers (1947-2024)
| S. No. | Name | Tenure | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jawaharlal Nehru | 15 Aug 1947 – 27 May 1964 | Indian National Congress |
| 2 | Gulzarilal Nanda (Interim) | 27 May 1964 – 9 June 1964 | Indian National Congress |
| 3 | Lal Bahadur Shastri | 9 June 1964 – 11 Jan 1966 | Indian National Congress |
| 4 | Gulzarilal Nanda (Interim) | 11 Jan 1966 – 24 Jan 1966 | Indian National Congress |
| 5 | Indira Gandhi | 24 Jan 1966 – 24 March 1977 | Indian National Congress |
| 6 | Morarji Desai | 24 March 1977 – 28 July 1979 | Janata Party |
| 7 | Charan Singh | 28 July 1979 – 14 Jan 1980 | Janata Party (Secular) |
| 8 | Indira Gandhi | 14 Jan 1980 – 31 Oct 1984 | Indian National Congress |
| 9 | Rajiv Gandhi | 31 Oct 1984 – 2 Dec 1989 | Indian National Congress |
| 10 | Vishwanath Pratap Singh | 2 Dec 1989 – 10 Nov 1990 | Janata Dal |
| 11 | Chandra Shekhar | 10 Nov 1990 – 21 June 1991 | Samajwadi Janata Party |
| 12 | P. V. Narasimha Rao | 21 June 1991 – 16 May 1996 | Indian National Congress |
| 13 | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 16 May 1996 – 1 June 1996 | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| 14 | H. D. Deve Gowda | 1 June 1996 – 21 April 1997 | Janata Dal |
| 15 | I. K. Gujral | 21 April 1997 – 19 March 1998 | Janata Dal |
| 16 | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 19 March 1998 – 22 May 2004 | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| 17 | Dr. Manmohan Singh | 22 May 2004 – 26 May 2014 | Indian National Congress |
| 18 | Narendra Modi | 26 May 2014 – Present (2025) | Bharatiya Janata Party |
Notable Contributions of Key Prime Ministers
1. Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-1964)
- First Prime Minister of India.
- Established major institutions like IITs, AIIMS, and ISRO.
- Architect of India’s Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
2. Indira Gandhi (1966-1977, 1980-1984)
- First and only woman Prime Minister of India.
- Led India during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
- Implemented Green Revolution to boost agriculture.
3. Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998-2004)
- Conducted Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998.
- Initiated National Highway Development Program.
- Improved India-Pakistan diplomatic relations.
4. Dr. Manmohan Singh (2004-2014)
- Architect of economic liberalization in 1991.
- Launched Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- Led India through the 2008 global financial crisis.
5. Narendra Modi (2014-Present)
- Launched Digital India, Make in India, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
- Revoked Article 370, removing Jammu & Kashmir’s special status.
- Managed COVID-19 pandemic response and vaccine drive.
Important FAQs
Jawaharlal Nehru served as India’s first Prime Minister from 15 August 1947 to 27 May 1964.
As of 2025, India has had 18 Prime Ministers.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee served for just 13 days in 1996.
Jawaharlal Nehru served for over 16 years (1947-1964)
Dr. Manmohan Singh (As Finance Minister) introduced economic liberalization in 1991
The Prime Ministers of India have played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s destiny. From economic reforms to military strategies, each leader has contributed significantly to India’s growth. As we step into 2024, the role of the Prime Minister remains vital in ensuring development, stability, and global leadership.
