List of All Prime Ministers of India (1947-2025)

Check the list of all Prime Ministers of India from 1947 to 2025, including their terms, ages, and durations. Learn about the role of the Prime Minister, their powers, and responsibilities. Get insights into India's democratic history and the leaders who shaped the nation's progress

Kriti Barua
Jul 25, 2025, 12:31 IST
List of all Prime Ministers of Iindia
List of all Prime Ministers of Iindia

List of all Prime Ministers of India: Did you know that Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, served for 17 years, the longest by any PM? The Prime Minister of India is the head of the government and plays a key role in running the country.

They are in charge of forming the cabinet, making important decisions, and representing India in the world. The Prime Minister leads the country’s policies and ensures that the government works smoothly.

 Currently, Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India, having been in office since 2014. He is the 14th Prime Minister of India who had three consecutive terms on the post. He took the Prime Minister's Oath on June 9, 2024. 

This article provides a complete list of all the Prime Ministers of India from 1947 to 2025, along with their contributions to the country’s growth. The list reflects India's democratic resilience and its leaders' varied contributions to the nation's progress. 

Dr. Manmohan Singh: Former Prime Minister of India Passed Away At 92

  • Name: Dr. Manmohan Singh
  • Date of Passing: December 26, 2024
  • Age: 92 years
  • Place: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
  • Significance: Former Prime Minister of India (2004-2014), celebrated economist, and architect of India's economic liberalisation.

Manmohan Singh, India's 13th Prime Minister, was born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, Punjab (now in Pakistan). He was a distinguished economist and statesman.

Singh's academic journey led him to the University of Cambridge and later to Oxford, where he earned his D.Phil. in Economics.

His career encompassed significant roles, including Chief Economic Advisor, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.

As Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, Singh was instrumental in implementing economic reforms that liberalised India's economy, steering the nation towards a path of growth and globalisation.

In 2004, Singh became the first Sikh to hold the office of Prime Minister, leading the country until 2014. His tenure was marked by efforts to enhance economic development, social programs, and international relations.

Known for his humility, integrity, and dedication, Singh's contributions have left an indelible mark on India's economic and political landscape.

He passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92. He died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, where he had been admitted due to health issues.

His passing signifies the loss of a visionary leader whose policies and leadership have profoundly influenced modern India.

List of all the Prime Ministers of India from 1947-2025

India has been governed by 14 prime ministers over the years. Currently, Narendra Modi is serving his third term as Prime Minister in 2024, continuing his leadership journey that started in 2014.

Known for major reforms like GST, Make in India, and Swachh Bharat, Modi's tenure also included bold actions like Article 370’s revocation and digital advancements.

 Here is the List of Prime Ministers of India from 1947-2025:

No.

Name

Start of Term

End of Term

Duration in years and days

Party

1

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964)

15 August 1947 

27 May 1964

16 years, 286 days

Indian National Congress

2

Gulzarilal Nanda (1898–1998)

27 May 1964 

9 June 1964

13 days

3

Lal Bahadur Shastri (1904–1966)

9 June 1964

11 January 1966

1 year, 216 days

4

Indira Gandhi (1917–1984)

24 January 1966

24 March 1977

11 years, 59 days

Indian National Congress (R)

5

Morarji Desai (1896–1995)

24 March 1977

28 July 1979

2 years, 126 days

Janata Party

6

Charan Singh (1902–1987)

28 July 1979 

14 January 1980

170 days

Janata Party (Secular)

7

Indira Gandhi (1917–1984)

14 January 1980

31 October 1984

4 years, 291 days

Indian National Congress (I)

8

Rajiv Gandhi (1944–1991)

31 October 1984

2 December 1989

5 years, 32 days

Indian National Congress

9

Vishwanath Pratap Singh (1931–2008)

2 December 1989

10 November 1990

343 days

Janata Dal

10

Chandra Shekhar (1927–2007)

10 November 1990 

21 June 1991

223 days

Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya)

11

P. V. Narasimha Rao (1921–2004)

21 June 1991

16 May 1996

4 years, 330 days

Indian National Congress (I)

12

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924–2018)

16 May 1996

1 June 1996

16 days

Bharatiya Janata Party

13

H. D. Deve Gowda (born 1933)

1 June 1996 

21 April 1997

324 days

Janata Dal

14

Inder Kumar Gujral (1919–2012)

21 April 1997 

19 March 1998

332 days

15

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924–2018)

19 March 1998 

22 May 2004

6 years, 64 days

Bharatiya Janata Party (NDA)

16

Manmohan Singh (1932-2024)

22 May 2004

26 May 2014

10 years, 4 days

Indian National Congress (UPA)

17

Narendra Modi (born 1950)

26 May 2014

May 30, 2019

10 years, 192 days

Bharatiya Janata Party (NDA)

May 30, 2019

June 9, 2024

June 9, 2024

Incumbent

List of all the Prime Ministers of India: Important Points

  • Article 75 of the Indian Constitution envisages that there will be a Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the President of India.
  • Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet Ministers. The main executive powers of the government are vested in the Prime Minister while the President is the nominal head of the State.
  • Article 78 of the Indian Constitution specifies the duties of the Prime Minister of India. He acts as a link between the President and Cabinet while discharging his duties.
  • The Prime Minister of India determines the dates of its meetings and programmes for the Parliament session. He also decides when the House has to be prorogued or dissolved.
  • As a chief spokesman, he makes the announcement of principal government policies and answers questions.
  • Prime Minister (PM) recommends President regarding the appointment of many officers, he allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among Ministers, he presides over the meeting of the Council of Ministers and influences their decisions.
  • The Prime Minister can ask any member to resign or recommend the President to remove any Minister.

List of all the Prime Ministers of India: Important Facts

  • Jawaharlal Nehru is recognised as the architect of modern India. He was the first Prime Minister of India and holds the record for the longest tenure, with 16 years and 286 days in office.
  • Indira Gandhi was the first and only woman to hold the position, serving for a total of 15 years and 350 days across two terms.
  • Rajiv Gandhi became the youngest Prime Minister at age 40, taking office on October 31, 1984.
  • Morarji Desai was the first Prime Minister not from the Indian National Congress, serving from March 24, 1977, to July 28, 1979.
  • Atal Bihari Vajpayee had the shortest tenure of any Prime Minister, with just 16 days in office during his first term in 1996.
  • Manmohan Singh served as India's first Sikh Prime Minister from May 22, 2004, to May 26, 2014.
  • P. V. Narasimha Rao was the first Prime Minister from South India, serving from June 21, 1991, to May 16, 1996.
  • Gulzarilal Nanda served as acting Prime Minister twice, each time for just 13 days.
  • Narendra Modi has been in office since May 26, 2014, and is currently serving his third term after being re-elected in June 2024.

Also Read| From Advocate to Activist: Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s Early Life and Contributions to India

What is the Retirement Age of Prime Minister in India?

In India, there is no constitutionally mandated retirement age for the Prime Minister. The Indian Constitution does not specify a maximum age limit for holding the office of Prime Minister. Instead, the tenure and eligibility criteria are governed by constitutional provisions and parliamentary procedures.

Constitutional Provisions

  • Tenure: The Prime Minister serves at the pleasure of the President, provided they maintain the confidence of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. There is no fixed term limit or age cap; a Prime Minister can continue in office as long as they have the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha.
  • Eligibility: To be appointed as Prime Minister, an individual must be:
    • A citizen of India.
    • A member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. If not a member at the time of appointment, they must secure membership in either house within six months.
    • At least 25 years old if a member of the Lok Sabha or at least 30 years old if a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Historical Context

Throughout India's history, several Prime Ministers have served well beyond the age of 70, including:

  • Morarji Desai: Became Prime Minister at the age of 81.

  • Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Served as Prime Minister until the age of 79.

  • Narendra Modi: Re-elected for a third term in 2024 at the age of 74.

Who was the longest-serving Prime Minister of India?

The longest-serving Prime Minister of India is Jawaharlal Nehru. He served for 16 years and 286 days, from August 15, 1947, to May 27, 1964. As of 2025, Narendra Modi has become the second-longest consecutively serving Prime Minister of India, surpassing Indira Gandhi's uninterrupted tenure.

What's Next| At What Age Does India’s Prime Minister Retire? Key Details and Facts Here

Kriti Barua
Kriti Barua

Executive Content Writer

Kriti Barua is a professional content writer who has four years of experience in creating engaging and informative articles for various industries. She started her career as a creative writer intern at Wordloom Ventures and quickly developed a passion for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers.

Currently working as a content writer for the GK section of Jagran New Media, she continues to hone her skills in writing and strives to deliver high-quality content that educates and entertains readers.
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FAQs

  • Who is the youngest PM of India?
    +
    Rajiv Gandhi was the youngest PM of India.
  • Who is the 8th PM of India?
    +
    The 8th Prime Minister of India was Chandra Shekhar, who served from November 10, 1990, to June 21, 1991.
  • Who served for the shortest tenure as the Prime Minister of India?
    +
    Atal Bihari Vajpayee served for the shortest tenure as the Prime Minister of India.
  • Who is the current Prime Minister of India?
    +
    Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India.
  • Who is the longest-serving Prime Minister of India?
    +
    Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru is the longest-serving Prime Minister of India. He served from 15 August 1947 to 27 May 1964.
  • Who was the first female Prime Minister of India?
    +
    Indira Gandhi was the first and only female Prime Minister of India.
  • Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
    +
    Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India.

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