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List of all Prime Ministers of India: 1947 to 2024

List of all Prime Ministers of India: 1947 to 2024

TOI News Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jul 4, 2024, 18:00 IST

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An overview of India's Prime Ministers from 1947 to 2024, highlighting their roles, responsibilities, and key functions in the government structure as outlined in the Indian Constitution.

List of all Prime Ministers of India: 1947 to 2024

The Prime Minister of India is the chief executive of the Government of India and heads the Union Council of Ministers. While the President is the ceremonial head of state, executive authority is effectively vested in the Prime Minister and their Cabinet, who are accountable to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President but must enjoy the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha.

India has had 14 Prime Ministers since 1947, starting with Jawaharlal Nehru.
Notably, Indira Gandhi was the first female Prime Minister, and the Nehru-Gandhi family has held the position for approximately 38 years. Various political parties have held power, with leaders like Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Manmohan Singh shaping India's political landscape. Narendra Modi, of the BJP, has served as Prime Minister since 2014, winning consecutive terms in 2019 and 2024, becoming the second after Nehru to do so.

Prime Ministers of India from 1947 to 2024

Prime Minister	Term Period
Narendra Modi	2014–present
Manmohan Singh	2004–2014
Atal Bihari Vajpayee	1998–2004 (2nd time)
Inder K. Gujral	1997–1998
H.D. Deve Gowda	1996–1997
Atal Bihari Vajpayee	1996 (1st time)
P.V. Narasimha Rao	1991–1996
Chandra Shekhar	1990–1991
V.P. Singh	1989–1990
Rajiv Gandhi	1984–1989
Indira Gandhi	1980–1984 (2nd time)
Charan Singh	1979–1980
Morarji Desai	1977–1979
Indira Gandhi	1966–1977 (1st time)
Gulzarilal Nanda	1966 (2nd time)
Lal Bahadur Shastri	1964–1966
Gulzarilal Nanda	1964 (1st time)
Jawaharlal Nehru	1947–1964

All Prime Ministers of India: Important points

Appointment and role: According to Article 75 of the Indian Constitution, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President of India. The Prime Minister leads the Cabinet and holds the main executive powers, while the President serves as the nominal head of state.

Duties and responsibilities: Article 78 outlines the duties of the Prime Minister. The PM acts as a crucial link between the President and the Cabinet, ensuring the smooth functioning of the government.

Parliamentary functions: The Prime Minister plays a pivotal role in Parliament. They determine the schedule for Parliament sessions, including prorogation and dissolution of the House. As the chief spokesperson, they announce government policies and answer questions from members.

Executive authority: The PM wields significant executive authority. They recommend appointments to the President, allocate and reshuffle ministerial portfolios, and preside over meetings of the Council of Ministers, influencing their decisions.

Dismissal authority: The Prime Minister has the authority to request resignations from ministers or recommend their removal to the President, ensuring accountability within the government structure.

Also Read | List of Presidents of India from 1950 to 2024

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TOI News Desk

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