Last updated: October 2026 Β· 3 min read
The Prime Minister is the head of the Union Government of India. The President appoints as Prime Minister the leader who commands a majority in the Lok Sabha. Since 1947, 14 people have held the office, plus Gulzarilal Nanda, who served twice as acting Prime Minister.
Prime Ministers of India
| No. | Prime Minister | Tenure | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jawaharlal Nehru | 1947-1964 | Indian National Congress |
| β | Gulzarilal Nanda (acting) | 1964, 1966 | INC |
| 2 | Lal Bahadur Shastri | 1964-1966 | INC |
| 3 | Indira Gandhi | 1966-1977 | INC |
| 4 | Morarji Desai | 1977-1979 | Janata Party |
| 5 | Charan Singh | 1979-1980 | Janata Party (Secular) |
| 3 | Indira Gandhi (again) | 1980-1984 | INC(I) |
| 6 | Rajiv Gandhi | 1984-1989 | INC |
| 7 | V.P. Singh | 1989-1990 | Janata Dal |
| 8 | Chandra Shekhar | 1990-1991 | Samajwadi Janata Party |
| 9 | P.V. Narasimha Rao | 1991-1996 | INC |
| 10 | Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 1996 (13 days) | BJP |
| 11 | H.D. Deve Gowda | 1996-1997 | Janata Dal |
| 12 | I.K. Gujral | 1997-1998 | Janata Dal |
| 10 | Atal Bihari Vajpayee (again) | 1998-2004 | BJP |
| 13 | Manmohan Singh | 2004-2014 | INC |
| 14 | Narendra Modi | 2014-present | BJP |
Records and facts
- Longest serving: Jawaharlal Nehru, about 17 years.
- First woman PM: Indira Gandhi.
- Youngest at appointment: Rajiv Gandhi, aged 40.
- Oldest at appointment: Morarji Desai, aged 81.
- Shortest term (non-acting): Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 13 days in 1996.
- Never faced Parliament as PM: Charan Singh.
- Narendra Modi took oath for a third consecutive term on 9 June 2024, equalling Nehru’s record of three straight terms.
How the Prime Minister is chosen
- Lok Sabha elections are held at least every five years.
- The party or coalition with a majority (272 of 543 seats) chooses its leader.
- The President invites that leader to form the government.
- The PM must be a member of Parliament or become one within six months.
Frequently asked questions
Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
Jawaharlal Nehru, from 15 August 1947 until his death on 27 May 1964.
Who is the current Prime Minister of India?
Narendra Modi, in office since 26 May 2014 and serving his third term since June 2024.
How many Prime Ministers has India had?
Fourteen people have served as Prime Minister, not counting acting PM Gulzarilal Nanda (15 including him).
Keep exploring
- How India’s Constitution was made
- India’s freedom struggle
- Partition of India 1947
- More Lists articles on Tiwaripedia
Facts are based on widely accepted official, scientific and historical sources at the time of writing. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
