List of All Prime Ministers of India (1947-2026)

List of all Prime Ministers of India: Did you know that Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, served for 17 years, the longest by any PM? The Prime Minister of India is the head of the government and plays a key role in running the country.

They are in charge of forming the cabinet, making important decisions, and representing India in the world. The Prime Minister leads the country’s policies and ensures that the government works smoothly.

Currently, Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India, having been in office since 2014. He is the 14th Prime Minister of India who had three consecutive terms in the post. He took the Prime Minister's Oath on June 9, 2024.

This article provides a complete list of all the Prime Ministers of India from 1947 to 2026, along with their contributions to the country’s growth. The list reflects India's democratic resilience and its leaders' varied contributions to the nation's progress. 

List of all the Prime Ministers of India from 1947-2026

India has been governed by 14 prime ministers over the years. Currently, Narendra Modi is serving his third term as Prime Minister in 2024, continuing his leadership journey that started in 2014.

Known for major reforms like GST, Make in India, and Swachh Bharat, Modi's tenure also included bold actions like Article 370’s revocation and digital advancements.

 Here is the List of Prime Ministers of India from 1947- 2026:

Important Rules and Roles of Prime Ministers in India

• Article 75 of the Indian Constitution envisages that there will be a Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the President of India.
• Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet Ministers. The main executive powers of the government are vested in the Prime Minister while the President is the nominal head of the State.
• Article 78 of the Indian Constitution specifies the duties of the Prime Minister of India. He acts as a link between the President and Cabinet while discharging his duties.
• The Prime Minister of India determines the dates of its meetings and programmes for the Parliament session. He also decides when the House has to be prorogued or dissolved.
• As a chief spokesman, he makes the announcement of principal government policies and answers questions.
• Prime Minister (PM) recommends President regarding the appointment of many officers, he allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among Ministers, he presides over the meeting of the Council of Ministers and influences their decisions.
• The Prime Minister can ask any member to resign or recommend the President to remove any Minister.

Interesting Facts about Prime Ministers of India

• Jawaharlal Nehru is recognised as the architect of modern India. He was the first Prime Minister of India and holds the record for the longest tenure, with 16 years and 286 days in office.
• Indira Gandhi was the first and only woman to hold the position, serving for a total of 15 years and 350 days across two terms.
• Rajiv Gandhi became the youngest Prime Minister at age 40, taking office on October 31, 1984.
• Morarji Desai was the first Prime Minister not from the Indian National Congress, serving from March 24, 1977, to July 28, 1979.
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee had the shortest tenure of any Prime Minister, with just 16 days in office during his first term in 1996.
• Manmohan Singh served as India's first Sikh Prime Minister from May 22, 2004, to May 26, 2014.
• P. V. Narasimha Rao was the first Prime Minister from South India, serving from June 21, 1991, to May 16, 1996.
• Gulzarilal Nanda served as acting Prime Minister twice, each time for just 13 days.
• Narendra Modi has been in office since May 26, 2014, and is currently serving his third term after being re-elected in June 2024.

What is the Retirement Age of Prime Minister in India?

In India, there is no constitutionally mandated retirement age for the Prime Minister. The Indian Constitution does not specify a maximum age limit for holding the office of Prime Minister. Instead, the tenure and eligibility criteria are governed by constitutional provisions and parliamentary procedures.

Constitutional Provisions

• Tenure: The Prime Minister serves at the pleasure of the President, provided they maintain the confidence of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. There is no fixed term limit or age cap; a Prime Minister can continue in office as long as they have the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha.
  
• Eligibility: To be appointed as Prime Minister, an individual must be:
• A citizen of India.
• A member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. If not a member at the time of appointment, they must secure membership in either house within six months.
• At least 25 years old if a member of the Lok Sabha or at least 30 years old if a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Historical Context

Throughout India's history, several Prime Ministers have served well beyond the age of 70, including:

• Morarji Desai: Became Prime Minister at the age of 81.
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Served as Prime Minister until the age of 79.
• Narendra Modi: Re-elected for a third term in 2024 at the age of 74.

What is the Salary of the Prime Minister of India?

As of 2026, the official monthly salary of the Prime Minister of India is approximately ₹1.66 lakh INR. 

Note: While this is the gross amount, including various allowances, the PM also receives significant non-monetary perks, such as high-level security, an official residence, and travel.

Salary Breakdown

The breakdown of the salary based on current official figures is as follows:

Components of the Monthly Salary

The total monthly pay is a combination of several specific allowances defined by the Salaries and Allowances of Ministers Act:

• Basic Pay: ₹50,000
• Constituency Allowance: ₹45,000 (for responsibilities as an MP)
• Daily Allowance: ₹2,000 per day (for days the PM attends Parliament)
• Sumptuary Allowance: ₹3,000 (for hospitality and official hosting)
• Other Allowances: Roughly ₹66,000

Key Perks and Benefits

Beyond the cash salary, the Prime Minister is entitled to several elite benefits:

• Residence: Rent-free stay at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi.
• Travel: Use of the specially equipped Air India One (Boeing 777) for international travel and armoured luxury vehicles for ground transport.
• Security: Round-the-clock Z+ security provided by the Special Protection Group (SPG).
• Medical: Full medical coverage for themselves and their family.

Note: For comparison, the President of India receives a higher salary of ₹5 lakh per month, and the Vice President receives ₹4 lakh per month.

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