The Prime Minister of India is the head of government and holds the most powerful executive office in the country. Since India gained independence in 1947, the nation has been led by a series of distinguished individuals who have shaped its destiny. Understanding the list of all Prime Ministers of India and their tenures is essential to understanding the country’s political history and its journey as a democratic republic. This 2026 guide provides a complete and updated list of India’s Prime Ministers, from the first to the present.
Quick Answer
India has had 15 Prime Ministers since 1947. The first Prime Minister was Jawaharlal Nehru, who had the longest tenure. The list includes notable leaders like Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Dr. Manmohan Singh. The current Prime Minister of India is Narendra Modi, who has been in office since May 2014, making him one of the longest-serving Prime Ministers.
The Role of the Prime Minister in India
In India’s parliamentary system of democracy, the Prime Minister is the chief executive of the Government of India. While the President of India is the head of state, the real executive power is vested in the Prime Minister and their Council of Ministers.
- Head of Government: The Prime Minister leads the executive branch of the government.
- Leader of the Lok Sabha: They are typically the leader of the political party or coalition that holds a majority in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament).
- Appoints Cabinet: The Prime Minister selects and can dismiss members of the cabinet and allocates their portfolios.
- Chief Advisor to the President: They are the main channel of communication between the President and the government.
- Represents the Nation: The Prime Minister represents India on the international stage.
The office of the Prime Minister is central to the country’s governance, and each individual on the list of all Prime Ministers of India has left a unique legacy.
Complete List of Prime Ministers of India and Their Tenures
Here is the chronological list of all the individuals who have held the office of the Prime Minister of India.
| No. | Name | Term of Office (Start) | Term of Office (End) | Political Party | Key Facts |
| 1 | Jawaharlal Nehru | 15 August 1947 | 27 May 1964 | Indian National Congress | India’s first and longest-serving PM (16 years, 286 days). Died in office. |
| – | Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting) | 27 May 1964 | 9 June 1964 | Indian National Congress | Served as acting PM after Nehru’s death. |
| 2 | Lal Bahadur Shastri | 9 June 1964 | 11 January 1966 | Indian National Congress | Gave the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”. Died in office in Tashkent. |
| – | Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting) | 11 January 1966 | 24 January 1966 | Indian National Congress | Served as acting PM again after Shastri’s death. |
| 3 | Indira Gandhi | 24 January 1966 | 24 March 1977 | Indian National Congress | India’s first female PM. Led India to victory in the 1971 war. Imposed the Emergency. |
| 4 | Morarji Desai | 24 March 1977 | 28 July 1979 | Janata Party | First non-Congress PM. |
| 5 | Charan Singh | 28 July 1979 | 14 January 1980 | Janata Party (Secular) | Served a short tenure. |
| (3) | Indira Gandhi | 14 January 1980 | 31 October 1984 | Indian National Congress | Returned to power for a second term. Assassinated in office. |
| 6 | Rajiv Gandhi | 31 October 1984 | 2 December 1989 | Indian National Congress | Youngest PM. Focused on technology and modernization. |
| 7 | V. P. Singh | 2 December 1989 | 10 November 1990 | Janata Dal | Implemented the Mandal Commission recommendations. |
| 8 | Chandra Shekhar | 10 November 1990 | 21 June 1991 | Samajwadi Janata Party | Headed a minority government. |
| 9 | P. V. Narasimha Rao | 21 June 1991 | 16 May 1996 | Indian National Congress | Initiated major economic reforms and liberalization. |
| 10 | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 16 May 1996 | 1 June 1996 | Bharatiya Janata Party | Served a very short first term of 13 days. |
| 11 | H. D. Deve Gowda | 1 June 1996 | 21 April 1997 | Janata Dal | Headed the United Front coalition government. |
| 12 | Inder Kumar Gujral | 21 April 1997 | 19 March 1998 | Janata Dal | Known for the ‘Gujral Doctrine’ in foreign policy. |
| (10) | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 19 March 1998 | 22 May 2004 | Bharatiya Janata Party | First non-Congress PM to complete a full term. Oversaw the Kargil War and Pokhran-II nuclear tests. |
| 13 | Dr. Manmohan Singh | 22 May 2004 | 26 May 2014 | Indian National Congress | Acclaimed economist. Oversaw a period of high economic growth. |
| 14 | Narendra Modi | 26 May 2014 | Present (as of 2026) | Bharatiya Janata Party | First PM born after independence. Focused on initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Swachh Bharat’. |
The head of state, the President, plays a different but equally important role. You can learn about them in our list of all Presidents of India.
Who was the acting Prime Minister of India?
Gulzarilal Nanda served as the Acting Prime Minister on two occasions, each for a short period of 13 days. He held the office first after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964 and a second time after the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1966. He is not counted in the official numbered list of Prime Ministers.
Mistakes and Misconceptions about Indian Prime Ministers
- Confusing Head of State with Head of Government: The President of India is the Head of State (a ceremonial role), while the Prime Minister is the Head of Government (the executive head).
- Thinking the PM is Directly Elected: The Prime Minister of India is not directly elected by the people. Citizens vote for their Member of Parliament (MP). The leader of the party or coalition that wins a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha is then invited by the President to become the Prime Minister.
- Forgetting the Non-Congress and Non-BJP Prime Ministers: While the Congress and BJP have dominated Indian politics, it is important to remember the leaders from other parties who have held the office, such as Morarji Desai, V. P. Singh, and H. D. Deve Gowda, especially during the coalition era.
Conclusion
The list of all Prime Ministers of India is a chronicle of the nation’s political evolution. From the foundational years under Jawaharlal Nehru to the periods of conflict, economic reform, and coalition politics, each Prime Minister has navigated unique challenges and left a distinct mark on the country. As of 2026, the lineage of this powerful office reflects the dynamic and resilient nature of Indian democracy, showcasing leaders who have guided a diverse nation of over a billion people through seven decades of its history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first female Prime Minister of India?
Indira Gandhi was the first and, to date, the only female Prime Minister of India. She served her first term from 1966 to 1977 and a second term from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. She is one of the most powerful and influential figures in Indian political history.
Which Prime Minister served the shortest tenure?
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s first term in 1996 lasted for only 13 days, as he was unable to prove a majority in the Lok Sabha. However, if we exclude acting PMs, the shortest tenure for a PM who faced parliament was that of Charan Singh, who served for 170 days.
Who was the first Prime Minister from a non-Congress party?
Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India in 1977. He led the Janata Party, a coalition of parties that was formed to oppose the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, to a historic victory.
Which Prime Minister is known as the father of India’s economic reforms?
P. V. Narasimha Rao, who served from 1991 to 1996, is widely regarded as the father of India’s modern economic reforms. With Dr. Manmohan Singh as his Finance Minister, his government dismantled the ‘Licence Raj’ and opened up the Indian economy to foreign investment, ushering in an era of liberalization.
How many Prime Ministers have died in office?
Three Prime Ministers have died while in office: Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Indira Gandhi. Lal Bahadur Shastri’s death occurred in Tashkent (then in the USSR) shortly after signing a peace declaration.