India's Prime Ministers Since Independence: Tenure And Achievements

The Prime Minister of India serves as the nation's chief executive, commanding the Council of Ministers and supervising the Union Government. Although the President is the head of state in a ceremonial capacity, the Prime Minister exercises executive authority. India has seen 15 prime ministers since it gained Independence in 1947.

Let's take a look at their tenure, accomplishments and contributions:

Jawaharlal Nehru (August 15, 1947 - May 27, 1964)

Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, served for 17 years, the longest tenure so far. Mr Nehru was affectionately known as "Chacha Nehru" among children, and his birthday, November 14, is celebrated across the country as Children's Day.

Jawaharlal Nehru is widely regarded as one of the principal architects of modern India. He was instrumental in establishing some of the country's most prestigious institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

He oversaw the preparation of the blueprint for the first Five-Year Plan. In agriculture, his government initiated significant irrigation projects and laid the groundwork for reform, which later contributed to the Green Revolution.

Gulzarilal Nanda (May 27, 1964 - June 9, 1964 | January 11, 1966 - January 24, 1966)

Gulzarilal Nanda, the second Prime Minister of India, held office for two brief terms as interim leader. His time in the PM office was less than a month. Despite the short duration, his contributions were significant during a period marked by political instability following the India-China War in 1962 and the India-Pakistan War in 1965. Mr Nanda played a crucial role in organising the Indian National Trade Union Congress. His dedication to public service was recognised in 1997 when he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.

Lal Bahadur Shastri (June 9, 1964 - January 11, 1966)

Lal Bahadur Shastri, the third Prime Minister of India, championed the White and Green Revolutions, which transformed India's agricultural landscape and improved food security. Mr Shastri's leadership during the 1965 India-Pakistan War was pivotal, culminating in a significant victory for India. His iconic slogan, "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan," resonated deeply with the public, uniting soldiers and farmers and highlighting their essential roles in the nation's progress. Under his guidance, the dairy industry flourished, setting the stage for Operation Flood in 1970, which revolutionised milk production in India. Lal Bahadur Shastri maintained strong international relations, exemplified by the signing of the Tashkent Agreement.

Indira Gandhi (January 24, 1966 - March 24, 1977 | January 14, 1980 - October 31, 1984)

Indira Gandhi was the first and only woman Prime Minister of India. Her leadership was instrumental during the 1971 war against Pakistan, eventually leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Among her key achievements, Ms Gandhi nationalised banks. She focused on reducing unemployment and introduced policies for equal pay for men and women, promoting gender equality in the workforce. Her tenure strengthened both international and domestic policies. She also oversaw the integration of Sikkim into the Indian state in 1975.

Morarji Desai (March 24, 1977 - July 28, 1979)

Morarji Desai was the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India. One of his notable achievements was the enactment of the 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India, which aimed to strengthen democratic rights and safeguard civil liberties. He implemented bold economic measures, including the ban on high-denomination currency notes of Rs 1,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000, on January 16, 1978, to weed out black money. He also championed peace activism, initiating talks with Pakistan to ensure stability in the region. Morarji Desai died at the age of 99, earning the distinction of being the world's oldest former head of government.

Chaudhary Charan Singh (July 28, 1979 - January 14, 1980)

Chaudhary Charan Singh served as India's Prime Minister for 170 days. During his time at the helm, he focused on improving the conditions of farmers and advocating for agricultural reform. Known as a champion of the agrarian community, his birth anniversary, December 23, is celebrated as Kisan Diwas.

Rajiv Gandhi (October 31, 1984 - December 2, 1989)

Rajiv Gandhi, the son of Indira Gandhi, was the youngest Prime Minister of India. He was instrumental in ushering in significant advancements in science and technology, laying the groundwork for the country's burgeoning IT sector. Recognising the importance of education, Rajiv Gandhi implemented major reforms, transforming higher education in the country and making it more accessible and modern. Coming from the influential Gandhi-Nehru family, he entered politics following the death of his brother, Sanjay Gandhi. His leadership marked a major shift in India's economic landscape. He worked to reduce the licence raj, ensuring a more business-friendly environment. 

VP Singh (December 2, 1989 - November 10, 1990)

Vishwanath Pratap Singh, also known as VP Singh, served as Prime Minister for 11 months. He made significant contributions to social justice by implementing the Mandal Commission Report, which recommended reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and educational institutions. He also oversaw the passage of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Act of 1989. Mr Singh managed domestic controversies, notably addressing the kidnapping of his home minister's daughter. His leadership was crucial in handling tensions with Pakistan, successfully thwarting attempts to provoke a border conflict. He took the step of apologising for Operation Blue Star, acknowledging its impact on communal relations. VP Singh's efforts to curb insurgency in Punjab showed his commitment to restoring peace and stability in the region.

Chandra Shekhar (November 10, 1990 - June 21, 1991)

Chandra Shekhar served as PM for just over seven months. He holds the distinction of being the first Prime Minister to lead a coalition government at the Centre. One of his achievements was his role in preventing India from defaulting on sovereign repayments, ensuring the country's financial stability during a challenging economic period. 

PV Narasimha Rao (June 21, 1991 - May 16, 1996)

PV Narasimha Rao served as Prime Minister of India for a single term, during which he spearheaded transformative economic reforms. His tenure marked a transition from a mixed economy to a market economy. One of his most significant achievements was managing India's economic crisis in 1991. He abolished the Licence Raj, eliminating restrictive regulations that stifled business and innovation. Under his leadership, India opened its equity markets to foreign investments.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (May 16, 1996 - June 1, 1996 | March 19, 1998 - April 29, 1999 | October 3, 1999 - May 10, 2004)

Atal Bihari Vajpayee is one of India's most recognised political leaders, having served as Prime Minister for 13 days in 1996 and two terms from 1998 to 2004. During his time in office, Mr Vajpayee oversaw Operation Vijay, the successful military campaign during the Kargil War against Pakistan. He played a major role in making India a nuclear power, overseeing the successful Pokhran II nuclear tests. Atal Bihari Vajpayee also championed economic reforms, encouraging private sector participation and foreign investments. His administration launched the National Highway Development Project. He implemented the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, an initiative aimed at achieving universal primary education for children across India.

HD Deve Gowda (June 1, 1996 - April 21, 1997)

Haradanahalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda served as PM for just under a year. He focused on the issues the country's farmers faced at the time. One of his notable achievements was kickstarting the Delhi Metro project, which revolutionised urban transportation in the national capital.

Inder Kumar Gujral (April 21, 1997 - March 19, 1998)

Inder Kumar Gujral also served as PM for just under a year. One of his key achievements was the formulation of the Gujral Doctrine, a major approach in India's foreign policy, which emphasised building strong relationships with neighbouring countries through cooperation and goodwill rather than through coercion. This doctrine marked a big shift in India's diplomatic strategy, ensuring better ties with countries in South Asia.

Manmohan Singh (May 22, 2004 - May 26, 2014)

Dr Manmohan Singh served as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, a period marked by significant economic and social reforms. He is credited with implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act. As a renowned economist and former finance minister, Dr Singh led India to the highest GDP growth rate since Independence, making it the world's second-fastest-growing economy during his tenure. He also launched the National Rural Health Mission to improve healthcare access in rural areas. His administration also strengthened India's global standing through improved diplomatic relations, exemplified by the landmark civil nuclear deal with the United States.

Narendra Modi (May 26, 2014 - present)

Narendra Modi is only the second PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to win three consecutive terms. He has introduced a number of key initiatives such as Swachh Bharat, Make in India and Digital India over the last 11 years. One of his key achievements is the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, a reform to streamline the taxation system and enhance the ease of doing business across the country.

PM Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Yojana, which includes various welfare schemes aimed at uplifting the economically disadvantaged. He has also championed the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, a nationwide cleanliness drive. PM Modi launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme in January 2015, which addresses the declining child sex ratio and promotes women's empowerment throughout their life cycle.

His list of achievements include the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, new law on Triple Talaq and reforming criminal justice system with the implementation of three new criminal laws.  

Under PM Modi's leadership, India has gained prominence as a global player building strong ties with world powers. During PM Modi's tenure, India held the G20 presidency for the first time and hosted the G20 summit in September 2023. India also became the fifth-largest economy in the world. 

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Uniform Safety Standards Essential At Coaching Centres: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday stressed on having "uniform standards" to the extent possible to ensure safety and security of students studying at coaching centres.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan was hearing a matter related to the deaths of three civil service aspirants at a coaching centre in the national capital in July due to the flooding in the building's basement.

On July 27, the three students drowned in the basement library of Rau's IAS Study Circle in Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar area after it was flooded following heavy rains.

The top court was informed by senior advocate Siddharth Dave, who is assisting the top court as an amicus curiae, about the broad areas that required attention.

Dave referred to the aspects of fire safety, fee regulation, student to classroom area ratio, student to teacher ratio, installation of CCTVs, medical facilities, mental health care and counselling for those studying at coaching centres.

He suggested that all states be impleaded as parties in the matter.

The amicus further referred to the legislation dealing with coaching institutes in seven states. When Dave suggested some sort of an oversight, the bench said it should be permanent.

"It can't be that an unfortunate incident occurs and then suddenly one become aware of everything," the bench observed.

The top court pointed out the need to have uniform standards on the issue.

The respondent authorities were asked to offer suggestions to the amicus on the desirability of a comprehensive policy for coaching institutes, initially with respect to the National Capital Region (NCR).

The matter will be heard after two weeks.

While hearing the matter on September 20, the top court had directed a Union government-appointed committee probing the three deaths to submit an interim report about the measures it wanted to be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

The top court had also asked the Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi governments to apprise it of the policy and legislative and administrative changes made to prevent such incidents in future.

It had said uniform initiatives should be taken in the entire NCR to prevent another Old Rajinder Nagar-type incident from happening.

The top court had said the panel could consider intervention at the legislative, policy, and administrative levels, apart from eliciting views of all the stakeholders before making its recommendations.

The top court had also said it would be covering the "wider canvas" and would examine the issue at pan-India level to ensure such incidents did not occur again elsewhere.

On August 5, the top court had observed that coaching centres had become "death chambers" and were playing with the lives of students.

It had taken cognisance of the matter while hearing a petition filed by an association of coaching centres challenging a December 2023 Delhi High Court order which directed the city's fire services and the civic body to inspect all coaching centres to ascertain if they were complying with fire safety norms.

The high court had transferred the probe into the death of the three students from Delhi Police to the CBI "to ensure the public has no doubt over the investigation".

The three UPSC aspirants who drowned were Shreya Yadav (25) of Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni (25) of Telangana and Nevin Delvin (24) of Kerala.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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अयोध्या विवाद के समाधान के लिए ईश्वर से प्रार्थना की थी: CJI चंद्रचूड़

देश के प्रधान न्यायाधीश डीवाई चंद्रचूड़ (CJI DY Chandrachud) ने रविवार को कहा कि उन्होंने अयोध्‍या विवाद (Ayodhya Dispute) के समाधान के लिए ईश्वर से प्रार्थना की थी और कहा कि अगर आस्था हो तो ईश्वर कोई भी रास्ता निकाल देते हैं. वह खेड़ तालुका में अपने पैतृक गांव कन्हेरसर के निवासियों को संबोधित कर रहे थे, जहां उनका अभिनंदन किया गया.

उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘अक्सर हमारे पास मामले (निर्णय के लिए) आते हैं, लेकिन हम समाधान पर नहीं पहुंच पाते. अयोध्या (राम जन्मभूमि-बाबरी मस्जिद विवाद) के दौरान भी कुछ ऐसा ही हुआ था, जो तीन महीने तक मेरे सामने था. मैं ईश्वर के सामने बैठा और उनसे कहा कि उन्हें इसका समाधान ढूंढना होगा.''

भरोसा है तो ईश्‍वर रास्‍ता निकाल देंगे : CJI चंद्रचूड़ 

प्रधान न्यायाधीश (सीजेआई) ने कहा, ‘‘मेरा विश्वास करें, यदि आपको भरोसा है, तो ईश्वर हमेशा कोई रास्ता निकाल देंगे.''

देश के तत्कालीन प्रधान न्यायाधीश रंजन गोगोई की अध्यक्षता वाली उच्चतम न्यायालय की पांच-न्यायाधीशों की पीठ ने नौ नवंबर, 2019 को अयोध्या में राम मंदिर के निर्माण का मार्ग प्रशस्त करके उस विवादास्पद मुद्दे का निपटारा किया था जो एक सदी से भी अधिक पुराना था.

फैसला सुनाने वाली पीठ का हिस्सा थे चंद्रचूड़ 

पीठ ने यह भी फैसला दिया था कि अयोध्या में ही वैकल्पिक पांच एकड़ के भूखंड पर मस्जिद बनाई जाएगी.

न्यायमूर्ति चंद्रचूड़ ऐतिहासिक फैसला सुनाने वाली पीठ का हिस्सा थे.

प्रधान न्यायाधीश इस वर्ष जुलाई में अयोध्या में राम मंदिर गये थे और पूजा-अर्चना की थी.

राम मंदिर का प्राण प्रतिष्ठा समारोह इस वर्ष 22 जनवरी को प्रधानमंत्री नरेन्द्र मोदी की मौजूदगी में आयोजित हुआ था.

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"Separated 32 Years Ago": Pralhad Joshi On Brother Arrested For Cheating

After media reports linked Union minister Pralhad Joshi to his brother Gopal Joshi, who has been arrested for allegedly cheating a former MLA's wife of Rs 2 crore, the minister has clarified that the two have been separated for 32 years. 

Gopal Joshi, his son Ajay Joshi and a woman named Vijayalakshmi Joshi were charged by the Bengaluru Police in the cheating case filed by Sunita Chavan, wife of former Janata Dal (Secular) Nagthan MLA Devanand Phool Singh Chavan, who lost the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections.

She alleged that Gopal Joshi cheated her of Rs 2 crore on the pretext of securing a BJP ticket for a member of her family to contest the Lok Sabha elections this year. She also alleged that Vijayalakshmi was introduced to her as Pralhad Joshi's sister.

Gopal Joshi was arrested on Saturday. 

In a post on X, Pralhad Joshi, who holds the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy portfolios, said he had filed a civil suit in November 2013 in the City Civil Court, Bengaluru, stating that he and Gopal Joshi had been separated for 20 years at the time, making the period of their separation 32 years as of 2024. 

"In 2012, a Family Arraignment Deed (Vaivastha Pathra) was executed to specify that we do not constitute any joint family status or any joint transaction socially and financially," the minister emphasised, adding that he had got a public caution notice issued in the newspapers in 2012.

Mr Joshi also said that he has only two brothers - a third had died in an accident - and no sister. "The mention of Vijayalakshmi Joshi as my sister is totally false," he said. 

The minister also rubbished the allegation that the complainant Sunitha Chavan had visited his office with his estranged brother.

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विचार नहीं हुआ तो आगे देखेंगे... : झारखंड में सीट बंटवारे पर मांझी का अल्टीमेटम

झारखंड की 81 विधानसभा सीटों पर चुनाव का ऐलान हो चुका है. यहां दो चरणों में यहां पर मतदान होंगे. पहले चरण के लिए 13 नवंबर को वोट डाले जाएंगे. 20 नवंबर को दूसरे चरण के ल‍िए मतदान होगा. वहीं, 23 नवंबर को परिणाम घोषित किया जाएगा. राजनीतिक दल भी चुनाव की तैयारी में लग गए हैं. सीट बंटवारे को लेकर बैठकों का दौर जारी है.

झारखंड विधानसभा चुनाव से ठीक पहले एनडीए के नेताओं के बीच बयानबाजी का दौर जारी है. जीतन राम मांझी ने 10 सीटों पर चुनाव लड़ने का ऐलान किया है. हम के नेता जीतन राम मांझी ने कहा कि हमें पता नहीं है, वहां पर सीटों बटवारा हो चुका है क्या? हमारे पार्टी में सच्चे अनुशासित सिपाही हैं, आपने देखा कि लोकसभा में भी एक सीट मिला तो उसे पर भी हमने भरोसा किया. झारखंड में हमने जितनी सीट की मांग की है, अगर उसपर विचार नहीं होगा तो आगे देखा जाएगा.

रांची में एक कार्यक्रम के दौरान हम पार्टी के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष और केंद्रीय मंत्री जीतन राम मांझी ने ऐलान किया कि पार्टी झारखंड विधानसभा चुनाव लड़ेगी. एससी/एसटी आरक्षण पर सुप्रीम कोर्ट के फैसलेे स्वागत करते हुए मांझी ने कहा कि आरक्षण की हर 10 साल पर समीक्षा होनी चाहिए. एससी/एसटी में साक्षरता दर बढ़ाने के प्रयास होने चाहिए.

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'Leaked Letter' By 19 MLAs Sparks Rebellion Buzz Against Manipur Chief Minister

Local media reports of a purported letter allegedly written by 19 BJP MLAs in Manipur to their party's central leadership has again sparked a buzz over rebellion against Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

The BJP leadership at the centre had earlier ruled out a change in the top post amid the ethnic tension between the valley-dominant Meitei community and the nearly two dozen tribes known as Kukis - a term given by the British in colonial times - who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur.

This is not the first time such speculation over Biren Singh's post has come up. In the last few years, a group of Manipur MLAs had camped in Delhi at least half a dozen times, seeking his replacement.

Leaked portions of the purported letter showed the first signatures as that of Speaker Th Satyabrata, and ministers Th Bishwajit and Y Khemchand.

While Mr Bishwajit and Mr Khemchand are known dissenters - they had asked for Biren Singh's removal several times in the past - Mr Satyabrata has so far been known to be a loyalist of the Chief Minister.

READ | Meitei, Kuki, Naga MLAs Meet In Delhi To Solve Manipur Crisis

NDTV could not independently verify the authenticity of the letter signed by the 19 MLAs, which they reportedly gave to the central leadership on Wednesday, a day after Meitei, Naga and Kuki MLAs met separately with the Centre in Delhi for the first time since the Manipur violence began in May 2023.

The MLAs who went to Delhi on Tuesday included those from the BJP and its allies Naga People's Front, Janata Dal United, and National People's Party.

"At this juncture, the people of Manipur are raising questions to us, in particular the BJP-led government, as to why peace and normalcy cannot be restored, and the plight of people could not be alleviated yet. We as fervent supporters of BJP and having won the mandate of the people feel that we have a responsibility of saving Manipur along with saving BJP from downfall in Manipur," the 19 MLAs wrote in the purported letter.

In July this year, Biren Singh had called speculation of his resignation an attempt by political rivals who wanted to take advantage of the situation in the state hit by ethnic crisis. "Manipur is passing through a troubled time. In such a crucial time, the leaders of Manipur can't afford to be weak. We are fully confident of our abilities," he had said at an event in the state capital Imphal.

READ | Manipur's N Biren Singh "Almost Quits", Torn Resignation Letter Emerges

On June 30 last year, nearly two months into the ethnic violence, Biren Singh was on the verge of resigning, but changed his mind under public pressure, state BJP leaders had said. He had started out for the Governor's house to give his resignation letter, but turned around after a huge show of support outside his Imphal home where the crowds shouted slogans against his decision to step down, under fire over his handling of the violence in the state.

A copy of Biren Singh's resignation letter was torn up by his supporters after snatching it from a minister who had come out of his house to read out the letter to the public.

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Congress Agreed To Contest 2 Seats In UP? Samajwadi Party's Claim Contested

The sharing of 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh where by-polls are due, are turning into another tug-of-war between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. The SP, which has already announced candidates for six seats, announced a seventh today, and said the Congress has agreed to contest only two seats. 

"Our agreement is final with the Congress. Of the 10 seats, the Congress will contest on two Khair (Aligarh) and Ghaziabad, while on the rest eight,the SP will contest," SP Spokesperson Rajendra Chowdhury was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India. 

The Congress disagreed. The party has been demanding five of the 10 seats going to polls in November, though it is on a considerably weak footing after its disasterous performance in Haryana.

State Congress chief Ajay Rai said, "We are not aware of this. As of now, we stand by our demand of five seats". 

The SP has already declared candidates for seven seats including Muzaffarnagar's  Meerapur from where it has fielded Sumbhul Rana.
The Congress wanted this seat, but NDTV has confirmed that this time, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is ready to give it only two seats -- Khair and Ghaziabad. 

Sources said the SP chief has relented because the party is interested in contesting two seats in Maharashtra as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi Alliance. 

After the Congress's poor performance in the Haryana election, the SP had snubbed its request for seat sharing in the by-polls. It was not just about Congress performance though. As in Madhya Pradesh, the two parties had failed to come to an understanding about the seats in Haryana  -- which is one of the reasons attributed to its defeat in both states where it was widely expected to win.

In both cases, state Congress leaders were blamed - Kamal Nath in Madhya Pradesh and Bhupinder Hooda in Haryana. 

Nine of the assembly seats in UP fell vacant after their MLAs were elected as MPs in the Lok Sabha polls. Bypolls are being held in the Sisamau due to the disqualification of its MLA, Samajwadi Party's Irfan Solanki, who was convicted in a criminal case. Except Milkipur, the Election Commission has announced polls on the rest nine seats. 

The polling seats will be held on November 13.

The candidate for Meerapur, Sumbul Rana, is the daughter-in-law of former BSP MP Qadir Rana, who has now joined the Samajwadi Party. Sumbul Rana's husband is Shah Mohammad Rana.

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