PRIME MINISTERS OF INDEPENDENT INDIA

Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

May 16, 1996 to June 1, 1996 | March 19, 1998 to April 29, 1999 | October 3, 1999 to May 10, 2004

Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as Prime Minister of India for 13 days in 1996 and two incomplete terms from 1998 to 2004. He is known for his valuable contribution to India’s economic growth. Operation Vijay, commonly known as the Kargil War, was fought against Pakistan and won during his tenure as Prime Minister. He made India a nuclear weapons power.

Shri Inder Kumar Gujral

April 21, 1997 to March 19, 1998

Shri Inder Kumar Gujral became the Prime Minister for slightly less than a year. He worked with various ministries in different capacities before becoming the Prime Minister of India. He is known for the Gujral Doctrine, which is considered a milestone in India's foreign policy.

Shri H. D. Deve Gowda

June 1, 1996 to April 21, 1997

Shri Haradanahalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda served as Prime Minister of India for slightly less than a year. He focused on the farmers of the country and is also credited for kickstarting the Delhi Metro project. He is popularly called the 'son of the soil' for his contributions to agriculture.

SHRI P. V. NARASIMHA RAO

June 21, 1991 to May 16, 1996

Shri Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao served as Prime Minister of India for a single term from 1991 to 1996. During his tenure, he carried out economic reforms in the form of liberalisation and globalisation.

Shri Chandra Sekhar

November 10, 1990 to June 21, 1991

Shri Chandra Shekhar became the first Prime Minister of India to head a coalition government at the centre. He was instrumental in preventing India from defaulting on sovereign repayments. Known for his fiery spirit, he was often referred to as “Young Turk”.

Shri V. P. Singh

December 2, 1989 to November 10, 1990

Shri Vishwanath Pratap Singh served as Prime Minister of India from 1989 to 1990. The Mandal Commission Report was implemented and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Act of 1989 was passed during his tenure.

Shri Rajiv Gandhi

October 31, 1984 to December 2, 1989

Shri Rajiv Gandhi became the youngest Prime Minister of India and served for a single term from 1984 to 1989. During his tenure, he promoted science & technology and associated industries, and ushered in a new era of higher education reforms in the country.

Chaudhary Charan Singh

July 28, 1979 to January 14, 1980

Chaudhary Charan Singh served as Prime Minister of India for 170 days. Throughout his life he tried to improve the conditions of farmers. His birth anniversary, 23 December, is celebrated as Kisan Diwas.

Shri Morarji Desai

March 24, 1977 to July 28, 1979

Shri Morarji Desai served as Prime Minister of India for 2 years from 1977 to 1979. The Forty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of India was enacted during his tenure as Prime Minister. Shri Morarji Desai passed away at the age of 99 in Mumbai, making him the world’s oldest former head of government.

Smt. Indira Gandhi

January 24, 1966 to March 24, 1977 | January 14, 1980 to October 31, 1984

Smt. Indira Gandhi was the first woman Prime Minister of India and served the nation for two terms. During her tenure, India won the 1971 war against Pakistan which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. Smt. Indira Gandhi imposed emergency from 1975 to 1977.

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri

June 9, 1964 to January 11, 1966

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri was the third Prime Minister of India. As Prime Minister, he promoted the White and Green Revolutions and coined the popular slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’. He also led India to victory in the India-Pakistan war of 1965.

Shri Gulzarilal Nanda

May 27, 1964 to June 9, 1964 | January 11, 1966 - January 24, 1966

Shri Gulzarilal Nanda was the second Prime Minister of India and he served the nation for two brief terms. He was instrumental in organising the Indian National Trade Union Congress. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1997.

Shri Jawaharlal Nehru

August 15, 1947 to May 27, 1964

Pandit Nehru served as Prime Minister for 17 years from 1947 to 1964. He is regarded as one of the founders of modern India as he helped usher the country into the age of industrial and technological development. His birth anniversary is celebrated as Children’s Day across India.