List of Prime Ministers of India (1947-2026)- Current PM, Tenure and Party

List of All Prime Ministers of India (1947-2026). Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He assumed office on 26 May 2014 and started his 3rd term on 9’th June 2024. List with their tenure, political party, key contributions, major achievements and important constitutional provisions. India has had 14 distinct Prime Ministers (plus two interim/acting officeholders) since gaining independence in 1947.

Ever since India gained independence, we have had the privilege of witnessing extraordinary Prime Ministers who led the country towards growth, self-sufficiency and expanded its global positioning. Several Prime Ministers such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PV Narasimha Rao, Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi guided the nation through different phases of political, economic, social and technological transformation. The first Prime Minister of India was Dr. Jawaharlal Nehru who made significant contributions in strengthening the nation post-independence. The current Prime Minister of India is Narendra Modi who holds the record for being the longest serving continuously elected Prime Minister.

Who is the Current Prime Minister of India?

The Prime Minister of India serves as the chief advisor to the President of India on matters related to the appointment of ministers, officials and government policies. They lead the Union Cabinet and coordinate the workings of various government ministries and departments. The Prime Minister also represents India on the global stage and participates in international diplomatic engagements to strengthen ties and attract foreign investment. The current Prime Minister of India is Narendra Modi who took the oath of office on 26 May 2014, and he holds the record for being India's longest serving continuously elected Prime Minister. He won his elections from the Bharatiya Janata Party.  

The Prime Minister of India is the head of the government and the most powerful executive authority in the parliamentary system. He advises the President of India on matters related to appointment of ministers, officials and government policies. He also leads the Union Cabinet and oversees the smooth functioning of various departments of the Government of India. The Prime Minister of India represents the country in global platforms and diplomatic meetings to strengthen relations with other countries and attract foreign investment. They get a monthly salary of ₹1.66 lakh per month including all allowances.

List of all Prime Minister of India (1947 to 2026)

Since Independence from 1947 to the present time, India has had 15 remarkable Prime Ministers who made significant contributions in making India a capable nation. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister who served for 16 years from 15 August 1947 to 27 May 1964. Let’s take a look at the list of Prime Ministers of India from 1947 to 2026: -

Who is the First Prime Minister of India?

Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India. Jawaharlal Nehru was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and his tenure was from 15 August 1947 to 27 May 1964. He served as India's governing leader for nearly 17 years. His governance majorly operated on four pillars such as democracy, socialism, unity and secularism. Therefore, he is widely recognized as the principal architect of modern India. Working alongside Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he successfully integrated more than 560 princely states into the Indian union.

List of Prime Ministers of India by Length of Term

Timeline of Prime Ministers of India

The timeline of Prime Ministers of India reflects the nation's political evolution from Independence in 1947 to the present. Beginning with Jawaharlal Nehru and continuing with Narendra Modi, each Prime Minister has played a significant role in shaping India's governance, economy, foreign policy, and democratic institutions. Let’s take a look at the Timeline of Prime Ministers of India from 1947 to 2026: -

What is the Salary of the Prime Minister of India?

The total monthly salary of the Prime Minister of India is ₹1.66 lakh per month including all allowances. The core compensation structure of their salary is determined by the Parliament of India through The Salaries and Allowances of Ministers Act, 1952. Their basic pay is ₹50,000, parliamentary constituency allowance is ₹45,000 and daily allowance is ₹62,000 which is calculated at ₹2,000 per day for attending parliamentary sessions.

How to Become Prime Minister of India?

To become the Prime Minister of India, an individual must meet strict constitutional eligibility criteria. However, there is no clear cut and defined path to become the Prime Minister. because citizens do not vote for the Prime Minister directly. Instead, they are elected by the Members of Parliament (Parliament of India). Let’s understand how to become Prime Minister of India: -

• Parliamentary Membership: The interested candidate must be a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.
• No Office of Profit: The interested candidate cannot hold any profit yielding position under the central government, state government and local authorities.
• No Legal Disqualifications: The interested candidate must not be disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1951. They must not be convicted of an offense with a sentence of 2 or more years.
• Appointment by President: Under Article 75 of the Constitution, the President of India officially appoints the leader of the majority party or coalition to become Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is elected by the members of the Parliament.

Important Constitutional Provisions Related to the Prime Minister

• Article 74: Establish a Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, to aid and advise the President in the exercise of executive functions.
• Article 75: Lays down provisions regarding the appointment, tenure, salaries, and collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers, with the Prime Minister as its head.
• Article 78: Defines the Prime Minister's constitutional duty to keep the President informed about the decisions of the Council of Ministers, legislative proposals, and matters concerning the administration of the Union.
• Article 88: Confers upon the Prime Minister and other ministers the right to participate in the proceedings of either House of Parliament, joint sittings, and parliamentary committees, though without voting rights unless they are members of the respective House.

Conclusion

The Prime Minister of India advises the President on matters related to appointment of ministers and government policies. They lead the Union Cabinet and oversee the smooth functioning of various departments of Government of India. Since independence there have been many Prime Ministers who have made India a capable India such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PV Narasimha Rao and Indira Gandhi. The current Prime Minister of India is Narendra Modi who is the longest serving PM till date. They receive a monthly salary of ₹1.66 lakh per month including all allowances.