List of Prime Ministers of India 1947 to 2024, Current PM of India

The Prime Minister of India is the head of government and holds significant power in India’s parliamentary system. India has had a total of 15 individuals serving as the Prime Minister from 1947 to 2024, each contributing to shaping the nation’s political and economic landscape. The Prime Minister is responsible for guiding the executive branch of government, leading the Council of Ministers, and executing the policies and decisions that influence India’s development. Here is a detailed list of all the Prime Ministers of India from 1947 to 2024:

Who is the Current Prime Minister Of India?

Shri Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India and the fourth longest-serving in this role. Before becoming Prime Minister, he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat for 14 years, where he was praised for boosting the economy and improving infrastructure.

As Prime Minister, he has led campaigns like Swachh Bharat, Make in India, and Digital India. PM Modi took the oath for his third term on 9 June 2024, following the results of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. His party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in alliance with other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) members, secured enough seats to form the government despite not achieving an outright majority on its own. Even though the BJP lost seats, dropping from 303 to 240 and missing the majority, Modi remains the leader of the government. His continued success shows his strong popularity and political skill.

Prime Minister of India

The Prime minister is typically the leader of the party or coalition that holds a majority in the Lok Sabha, the main legislative body of the Republic of India. The PM is the head of the executive branch and the presiding authority under India’s parliamentary system of government.

The president of India appoints the prime minister. Still, they need the backing of most of the Lok Sabha members, elected directly every five years, to hold onto the position. The prime minister may be present in either the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha, the upper house of parliament. The distribution of jobs within the government and the appointment and removal of Union Council of Ministers members are solely within the prime minister’s purview.

List of Prime Ministers of India From 1947 to 2024

Here is the updated List of Prime Ministers of India from 1947 to 2024.

List of Prime Ministers Tenure

Also, Check List of Finance Ministers of India

Constitutional Provisions for Prime Minister

• The Prime Minister will be chosen by the President of India, according to Article 75 of the Indian Constitution.
• The Cabinet Ministers are led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is given primary executive authority over the government, with the President serving as the official head of State.
• The responsibilities of the Prime Minister of India are outlined in Article 78 of the Indian Constitution. While performing his duties, he serves as a liaison between the President and the Cabinet.
• The Indian Prime Minister sets the dates for its meetings and events during the session of Parliament. He also makes the call on when to dissolve or prorogue the House.
• In his capacity as chief spokesman, he announces major government initiatives.

Appointment of Prime Minister of India

• The President must appoint the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha as Prime Minister in accordance with the rules of the parliamentary system.
• When no party has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the President can appoint the Prime Minister at their discretion, usually choosing the leader of the largest party or coalition
•  The first use of this discretion was in 1979, when President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy appointed Charan Singh after the Janta Party government fell.
• If a sitting Prime Minister dies and there’s no clear successor, the President must decide who to appoint, but if the ruling party elects a new leader quickly, that person must be appointed.
• According to the Delhi High Court (1980), a person can be appointed Prime Minister without proving their majority first, and the Supreme Court (1997) ruled that someone not in either House can serve as Prime Minister for six months, during which they must join a House.

Power and Functions of Prime Minister of India

The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet, which is the highest decision-making body in the government. The Cabinet consists of ministers who are appointed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is responsible for convening and presiding over Cabinet meetings, and he has the power to decide on the agenda of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister has several powers and functions, including:

Executive Powers

The Prime Minister is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the government. This includes implementing government policies, making appointments to key government positions, and representing India at international forums.

Legislative Powers

The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament. As such, the Prime Minister has a significant influence on the legislative process. The Prime Minister can advise the President to summon or prorogue the Parliament, and he can also recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

Financial Powers

The Prime Minister is responsible for preparing the annual budget of the government. The budget must be approved by the Parliament, but the Prime Minister has a significant influence on the budget process.

Emergency Powers

In the event of a national emergency, the Prime Minister can exercise special powers under Article 352 of the Constitution of India. These powers include the power to suspend the fundamental rights of citizens and the power to impose the President’s rule in the states.

Governance Mechanism of Prime Minister

Relation with the President:

• The PM communicates decisions of the Council of Ministers (CoM) to the President and provides information on administration and legislation.
• The PM advises the President on appointing key officials like the Attorney General and members of the UPSC.

Relation with the Council of Ministers (CoM):

• The PM recommends individuals for ministerial positions, allocates portfolios, and can ask ministers to resign or advise their dismissal.
• The PM leads CoM meetings and guides ministerial activities.

Relation with Parliament:

• The PM leads the Lok Sabha, advises the President on parliamentary sessions, and can recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
• The PM announces government policies in Parliament.

Relation with the Cabinet:

• The PM forms the Cabinet, allocates portfolios, and sets meeting agendas.
• The PM can consult others but may act independently when necessary.

Relation with External Affairs:

• The PM directs foreign policy and represents India internationally, which can enhance domestic respect.

Planning Role:

• The PM acts as a crisis manager during emergencies and chairs the National Disaster Management Authority.

Cabinet Committees:

• The PM establishes and heads most Cabinet Committees, including the important Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, which addresses key national issues.

Eligibility For Prime Minister of India

• He/she must be a citizen of India.
• He/she must be a member of either Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha
• He or she must be at least 25 years old to serve in the Lok Sabha and must be at least 30 years old to serve in the Rajya Sabha.

Prime Ministers Salary, Oath and Tenure

• He takes the oaths of office and secrecy from the President.
• The prime minister takes an oath of office.
  • To have unwavering trust in and loyalty to the Indian Constitution.
  • To protect the sovereignty and integrity of India.
  • To carry out his responsibilities for his office honestly and faithfully.
  • To act honourably toward everyone in conformity with the law and the Constitution, without favoritism, fear, or malice.
• The Prime Minister pledges under his oath of secrecy not to discuss any matter brought to his attention as a Union Minister unless it is necessary for the proper performance of his duties.
• The Prime Minister’s tenure is not fixed, and he serves at the President’s pleasure. The PM cannot, however, be removed by the President so long as he has the support of the majority of lawmakers in the Lok Sabha.
• The Prime Minister must resign if the Lok Sabha loses confidence in him (by a majority), or the President may remove him.
• The Parliament periodically decides the Prime Minister’s salary and benefits. PM receives the same salary and benefits as a member of parliament.

Also, Check Prime Minister’s Salary

Relationship Between Prime Minister and President

The relationship between the Prime Minister and the President is covered by a few sections of the Indian Constitution. The articles are: Article 74, Article 75 and Article 78

Prime Minister of India Facts

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