Prime Ministers of Republic of India

1. Jawaharlal Nehru

Tenure: 15 Aug 1947 – 27 May 1964

First Prime Minister of independent India. Architect of modern India, promoted democracy, scientific temper, and non-alignment in foreign policy.

2. Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting)

Tenure: 27 May 1964 – 9 June 1964

Served as interim PM after Nehru’s death. Known for integrity and simplicity.

3. Lal Bahadur Shastri

Tenure: 9 June 1964 – 11 Jan 1966

Gave the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”. Led India during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Died in office.

4. Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting)

Tenure: 11 Jan 1966 – 24 Jan 1966

Again served as caretaker PM after Shastri’s death.

5. Indira Gandhi

Tenure:

• 24 Jan 1966 – 24 Mar 1977

• 14 Jan 1980 – 31 Oct 1984

First and only woman Prime Minister of India. Led India to victory in the 1971 war, creation of Bangladesh. Assassinated in office.

6. Morarji Desai

Tenure: 24 Mar 1977 – 28 July 1979

First non-Congress Prime Minister. Advocated austerity and administrative discipline.

7. Charan Singh

Tenure: 28 July 1979 – 14 Jan 1980

Known as a champion of farmers. Served the shortest tenure without facing Parliament.

8. Indira Gandhi (Second Term)

Tenure: 14 Jan 1980 – 31 Oct 1984

Focused on national unity and economic stability.

9. Rajiv Gandhi

Tenure: 31 Oct 1984 – 2 Dec 1989

Youngest Prime Minister (40 years). Promoted technology, IT, and telecom reforms. Assassinated in 1991.

10. V. P. Singh

Tenure: 2 Dec 1989 – 10 Nov 1990

Implemented Mandal Commission recommendations for OBC reservations.

11. Chandra Shekhar

Tenure: 10 Nov 1990 – 21 June 1991

Led a minority government during economic and political instability.

12. P. V. Narasimha Rao

Tenure: 21 June 1991 – 16 May 1996

Father of economic liberalization in India. Oversaw major reforms in 1991.

13. Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Tenure:

• 16 May 1996 – 1 June 1996

• 19 Mar 1998 – 22 May 2004

Respected statesman and poet. Led nuclear tests (Pokhran-II) and infrastructure growth.

14. H. D. Deve Gowda

Tenure: 1 June 1996 – 21 Apr 1997

Focused on rural development and federal cooperation.

15. I. K. Gujral

Tenure: 21 Apr 1997 – 19 Mar 1998

Known for the Gujral Doctrine emphasizing friendly relations with neighbors.

16. Manmohan Singh

Tenure: 22 May 2004 – 26 May 2014

First Sikh Prime Minister. Key architect of India’s economic reforms and growth-oriented policies.

17. Narendra Modi

Tenure: 26 May 2014 – Present

First PM born after independence. Focus on governance reforms, infrastructure, digital India, and global diplomacy.