List of Prime Ministers of India

The Prime Ministers of India have been pivotal in shaping the country's policies, economy, and global standing. They hold the highest executive office

List of Prime Ministers of India

The Prime Ministers of India have been pivotal in shaping the country's policies, economy, and global standing. They hold the highest executive office and are responsible for running the government. Here is a detailed list of the Prime Ministers of India, along with their terms in office, the President during their tenure, and their notable contributions.

1. Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-1964)

• Term: August 15, 1947 – May 27, 1964
• Presidents: Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
• Notable Contributions:
  • First Prime Minister of India
  • Architect of modern India
  • Promoted industrialization and scientific research
  • Initiated the Non-Aligned Movement

2. Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting) (1964, 1966)

• Term: May 27, 1964 – June 9, 1964 and January 11, 1966 – January 24, 1966
• Presidents: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Dr. Zakir Husain
• Notable Contributions:
  • Served as Acting Prime Minister twice
  • Known for his administrative skills

3. Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964-1966)

• Term: June 9, 1964 – January 11, 1966
• Presidents: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Dr. Zakir Husain
• Notable Contributions:
  • Known for the slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan"
  • Led India during the 1965 Indo-Pak war
  • Promoted the Green Revolution

4. Indira Gandhi (1966-1977, 1980-1984)

• Term: January 24, 1966 – March 24, 1977 and January 14, 1980 – October 31, 1984
• Presidents: Dr. Zakir Husain, Varahagiri Venkata Giri, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, Giani Zail Singh
• Notable Contributions:
  • Only woman Prime Minister of India
  • Known for her strong leadership
  • Led during the Emergency period (1975-1977)
  • Initiated the Green Revolution
  • Presided during the 1971 Indo-Pak war leading to the creation of Bangladesh

5. Morarji Desai (1977-1979)

• Term: March 24, 1977 – July 28, 1979
• Presidents: Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
• Notable Contributions:
  • First non-Congress Prime Minister
  • Focused on anti-corruption measures and administrative reforms

6. Charan Singh (1979-1980)

• Term: July 28, 1979 – January 14, 1980
• Presidents: Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
• Notable Contributions:
  • Known for his agricultural policies
  • Advocated for farmers' rights

7. Rajiv Gandhi (1984-1989)

• Term: October 31, 1984 – December 2, 1989
• Presidents: Giani Zail Singh, R. Venkataraman
• Notable Contributions:
  • Focused on modernizing India
  • Promoted IT development
  • Implemented anti-corruption measures
  • Introduced economic and bureaucratic reforms

8. Vishwanath Pratap Singh (1989-1990)

• Term: December 2, 1989 – November 10, 1990
• Presidents: R. Venkataraman
• Notable Contributions:
  • Implemented the Mandal Commission report
  • Focused on social justice and reservations for OBCs

9. Chandra Shekhar (1990-1991)

• Term: November 10, 1990 – June 21, 1991
• Presidents: R. Venkataraman
• Notable Contributions:
  • Known for his straightforward approach
  • Efforts to stabilize the economy during a financial crisis

10. P. V. Narasimha Rao (1991-1996)

• Term: June 21, 1991 – May 16, 1996
• Presidents: R. Venkataraman, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
• Notable Contributions:
  • Initiated economic liberalization
  • Implemented significant market reforms
  • Improved foreign relations

11. Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1996, 1998-2004)

• Term: May 16, 1996 – June 1, 1996 and March 19, 1998 – May 22, 2004
• Presidents: Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, K. R. Narayanan, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
• Notable Contributions:
  • Known for nuclear tests in 1998
  • Infrastructure development initiatives like the Golden Quadrilateral
  • Economic reforms and telecom revolution

12. H. D. Deve Gowda (1996-1997)

• Term: June 1, 1996 – April 21, 1997
• Presidents: Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
• Notable Contributions:
  • Focused on agricultural policies
  • Promoted rural development

13. I. K. Gujral (1997-1998)

• Term: April 21, 1997 – March 19, 1998
• Presidents: Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, K. R. Narayanan
• Notable Contributions:
  • Known for the "Gujral Doctrine" in foreign policy
  • Promoted better relations with neighboring countries

14. Manmohan Singh (2004-2014)

• Term: May 22, 2004 – May 26, 2014
• Presidents: Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Pratibha Patil, Pranab Mukherjee
• Notable Contributions:
  • Key architect of economic reforms in 1991
  • Known for economic growth and social welfare programs
  • Focused on improving international relations

15. Narendra Modi (2014-Present)

• Term: May 26, 2014 – Present
• Presidents: Pranab Mukherjee, Ram Nath Kovind, Droupadi Murmu
• Notable Contributions:
  • Initiatives like Digital India, Make in India, Swachh Bharat
  • Economic reforms and GST implementation
  • Strong focus on infrastructure development and foreign policy

Conclusion

The Prime Ministers of India have significantly influenced the nation's direction and development. Their leadership, policies, and vision have shaped modern India and its global standing. Understanding their tenures and contributions provides valuable insights into the country's political and economic evolution.