- By Ridam Sharma
- Wed, 09 Jul 2025 03:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Prime Ministers Of India: The history of India as an independent country since 1947 has been marked by the vision of its political leaders, especially the Prime Minister. The PM of India is also known as the Chief Executive of the Government of India. Every leader, from Jawaharlal Nehru to the now Narendra Modi, all these Prime Ministers of India have prominently contributed to the political, economic, and social development of the nation of billions. To know more, here's a list of all the Prime Ministers of India since independence up to 2025, along with their years of rule, according to the data on Pmsangrahalaya.gov.in.
List Of All Prime Ministers Of India (1947-2025):
No. | Name | Start of Term | End of Term | Duration in years and days | Party |
1 | Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964) | August 15, 1947 | May 27, 1964 | 16 years, 286 days | Indian National Congress |
2 | Gulzarilal Nanda (1898–1998) | May 27, 1964 | June 9, 1964 | 13 days | NA |
3 | Lal Bahadur Shastri (1904–1966) | June 9, 1964 | January 24, 1966 | 1 year, 216 days | NA |
4 | Indira Gandhi (1917–1984) | January 24, 1966 | March 24, 1977 | 11 years, 59 days | Indian National Congress (R) |
5 | Morarji Desai (1896–1995) | March 24, 1977 | July 28, 1979 | 2 years, 126 days | Janata Party |
6 | Charan Singh (1902–1987) | July 28, 1979 | January 14, 1980 | 170 days | Janata Party (Secular) |
7 | Indira Gandhi (1917–1984) | January 14, 1980 | 31 October 1984 | 4 years, 291 days | Indian National Congress (I) |
8 | Rajiv Gandhi (1944–1991) | October 31, 1984 | December 2, 1989 | 5 years, 32 days | Indian National Congress |
9 | Vishwanath Pratap Singh (1931–2008) | December 2, 1989 | 10 November 1990 | 343 days | Janata Dal |
10 | Chandra Shekhar (1927–2007) | November 10, 1990 | June 21, 1991 | 223 days | Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya) |
11 | P. V. Narasimha Rao (1921–2004) | June 21, 1991 | May 16, 1996 | 4 years, 330 days | Indian National Congress (I) |
12 | Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924–2018) | May 16, 1996 | June 1, 1996 | 16 days | Bharatiya Janata Party |
13 | H. D. Deve Gowda (born 1933) | June 1, 1996 | April 21, 1997 | 324 days | Janata Dal |
14 | Inder Kumar Gujral (1919–2012) | April 21, 1997 | March 19, 1998 | 332 days | NA |
15 | Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924–2018) | March 19, 1998 | May 22, 2004 | 6 years, 64 days | Bharatiya Janata Party (NDA) |
16 | Manmohan Singh (1932-2024) | May 22, 2004 | May 26, 2014 | 10 years, 4 days | Indian National Congress (UPA) |
17 | Narendra Modi (born 1950) | May 26, 2014 | May 30, 2019 | 10 years, 192 days | Bharatiya Janata Party (NDA) |
Also Read: Complete List Of Home Affairs Ministers Of India: From Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel To Amit Shah
FAQs About Prime Ministers Of India:
1. Who Was The First Prime Minister Of India?
Jawaharlal Nehru was the first prime minister of India after independence. He served the nation from August 15, 1947, to May 27, 1964.
2. Who Is The Longest-Serving Prime Minister Of India?
Jawaharlal is the longest-serving prime minister of India after independence. He served the nation from August 15, 1947, to May 27, 1964
3. How Many Prime Ministers Of India Have There Been?
Till now, after Independence, since 1947-2025, only seventeen Prime Ministers have served the nation.
4. How Does The Indian Parliamentary System Elect Its Prime Minister?
The PM of India is not directly elected by the citizens. Instead, the President appoints the Prime Minister, who is typically the leader of the political party or coalition that holds a majority in the Lok Sabha.
Also Read: List Of Current Chief Ministers Of Indian States 2025
5. Why Is The Prime Minister Of India Considered The Head Of Government?
The Prime Minister is known as the head of the government, due to his significant role, which makes him the leader of the nation. He is the chief spokesman of the government's policies in the Parliament.
6. What Role Do Prime Ministers Of India Play In International Relations?
The prime minister represents the country in various delegations, high-level meetings and international organisations that require the presence of the highest government office.
7. What Is The Prime Minister's Office (PMO), And What Functions Does It Perform?
The Prime Minister's Office performs several functions, like assisting the Prime Minister in all his responsibilities, maintaining cooperation with central ministries and departments.
The position of the Prime Minister is still the cornerstone of India's democratic setup, leading the country through adversity and landmarks as well. A comparison of leaders over the years provides readers with a sense of the dynamism of Indian politics and the long-lasting legacy of the individuals who have occupied the country's most prominent executive position.