Complete Guide to India’s Prime Ministers – History & Contributions

List of All Prime Ministers of India
1. Narendra Modi (2014 – Present)
14th Prime Minister of India and the first from a non-Congress party to serve three consecutive terms.
Leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and head of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Key initiatives: Make in India, Digital India, GST implementation, Demonetization, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Previously served as Chief Minister of Gujarat (2001-2014).
2. Dr. Manmohan Singh (2004 – 2014)
13th PM of India, known for his economic expertise.
Led the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for two terms.
Key contributions: 1991 Economic Reforms (as Finance Minister), Nuclear Deal with the USA, RTI Act, MGNREGA.
First Sikh Prime Minister and recipient of the Padma Vibhushan (1987).
3. Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1996, 1998-1999, 1999-2004)
10th PM of India, served three terms (including a 13-day tenure in 1996).
Famous for the slogan: “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan”.
Key achievements: Pokhran-II nuclear tests (1998), Golden Quadrilateral project, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
Awarded the Bharat Ratna (2014).
4. Inder Kumar Gujral (1997 – 1998)
12th PM of India, known for the Gujral Doctrine (foreign policy principles for India’s neighbors).
Participated in the Quit India Movement under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership.
5. H.D. Deve Gowda (1996 – 1997)
11th PM of India, from the Janata Dal party.
Former Chief Minister of Karnataka (1994-1996).
Led a coalition government (United Front) with Congress support.
6. P.V. Narasimha Rao (1991 – 1996)
9th PM of India, the first from South India.
Architect of 1991 Economic Liberalization (LPG Reforms).
Also served as Defence Minister, External Affairs Minister, and Home Minister.
7. Chandra Shekhar (1990 – 1991)
8th PM of India, led a minority government with Congress support.
His tenure saw the 1991 economic crisis and Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination.
8. V.P. Singh (1989 – 1990)
7th PM of India, implemented the Mandal Commission recommendations (OBC reservations).
Former Finance Minister and Defence Minister under Rajiv Gandhi.
9. Rajiv Gandhi (1984 – 1989)
6th PM of India, youngest PM (at 40).
Key events: Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984), Shah Bano Case, Bofors Scandal.
Assassinated in 1991 by an LTTE suicide bomber; posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna.
10. Charan Singh (1979 – 1980)
5th PM of India, champion of farmers’ rights.
Served for just 170 days with Congress support.
11. Morarji Desai (1977 – 1979)
4th PM of India, first non-Congress PM.
Key figure in the Janata Party government.
12. Indira Gandhi (1966-1977, 1980-1984)
First and only woman PM of India.
Key events: 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, Emergency (1975-77), Operation Blue Star.
Assassinated in 1984 by her bodyguards.
13. Gulzarilal Nanda (1964, 1966 – Acting PM)
Served as interim PM twice after the deaths of Nehru and Shastri.
14. Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964 – 1966)
2nd PM of India, known for the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”.
Died in Tashkent (1966) after signing a peace agreement with Pakistan.
15. Jawaharlal Nehru (1947 – 1964)
First and longest-serving PM of India (17 years).
Key contributions: Non-Aligned Movement, Five-Year Plans, Industrialization.
Known as “Chacha Nehru” (birthday celebrated as Children’s Day).


Sample Questions & Answers (For Competitive Exams)
Q1. Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
Ans: Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-1964).
Q2. Which PM introduced the 1991 Economic Reforms?
Ans: P.V. Narasimha Rao (with Finance Minister Manmohan Singh).
Q3. Who is the only woman Prime Minister of India?
Ans: Indira Gandhi.
Q4. Which PM conducted the Pokhran-II nuclear tests?
Ans: Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998).
Q5. Who is the current Prime Minister of India (2024)?
Ans: Narendra Modi (since 2014).