The prime minister of India is the chief executive of the Government of India. Although the president of India is the constitutional, nominal, and ceremonial head of state, in practice and ordinarily, the executive authority is vested in the prime minister and their chosen Council of Ministers. The prime minister is the leader elected by the party with a majority in the lower house of the Indian parliament, the Lok Sabha, which is the main legislative body in the Republic of India.
The prime minister and their cabinet are at all times responsible to the Lok Sabha. The prime minister can be a member of the Lok Sabha or of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the parliament. The prime minister ranks third in the order of precedence. The prime minister is appointed by the president of India; however, the prime minister has to enjoy the confidence of the majority of Lok Sabha members, who are directly elected every five years, unless a prime minister resigns. The prime minister is the presiding member of the Council of Ministers of the Union government.
The prime minister unilaterally controls the selection and dismissal of members of the council; and allocation of posts to members within the government. This council, which is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha as per Article 75(3), assists the president regarding the operations under the latter’s powers; however, by the virtue of Article 74 of the Constitution, such ‘aid and advice’ tendered by the council is binding. Delving into the history of the independent India, we found that the country has so far witnessed governance of 14 prime ministers that formed 18 governments at the Centre.
Jawaharlal Nehru was India’s first prime minister, serving as prime minister of the Dominion of India from 15 August 1947 until 26 January 1950, and thereafter of the Republic of India until his death in May 1964. (India conducted its first post-independence general elections in 1952). Earlier, Nehru had served as prime minister of the Interim Government of India during the British Raj from 2 September 1946 until 14 August 1947, his party, the Indian National Congress having won the 1946 Indian provincial elections.
Nehru was succeeded by Lal Bahadur Shastri, whose 1 year 7-month term ended in his death in Tashkent, then in the USSR, where he had signed the Tashkent Declaration between India and Pakistan.
Indira Gandhi, Nehru’s daughter, succeeded Shastri in 1966 to become the country’s first female prime minister. Eleven years later, her party the Indian National Congress lost the 1977 Indian general election to the Janata Party, whose leader Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress prime minister.
After Desai resigned in 1979, his former associate Charan Singh briefly held office until the Congress won the 1980 Indian general election and Indira Gandhi returned as prime minister. Her second term as prime minister ended five years later on 31 October 1984, when she was assassinated by her bodyguards. Her son Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as India’s youngest premier. Members of Nehru–Gandhi family have been prime minister for approximately 38 years.
After a general election loss, Rajiv Gandhi’s five-year term ended; his former cabinet colleague, Vishwanath Pratap Singh of the Janata Dal, formed the year-long National Front coalition government in 1989. A sevenmonth interlude under prime minister Chandra Shekhar followed, after which the Congress party returned to power, forming the government under P. V. Narasimha Rao in June 1991, Rajiv Gandhi having been assassinated earlier that year.
Rao’s five-year term was succeeded by four shortlived governments—Atal Bihari Vajpayee from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for 13 days in 1996, a year each under United Front prime ministers H. D. Deve Gowda and Inder Kumar Gujral, and Vajpayee again for 13 months in 1998–1999.
In 1999, Vajpayee’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won the general election, the first nonCongress alliance to do so, and he served a full five-year term as prime minister. The Congress, and its United Progressive Alliance won the general elections in 2004 and 2009, Manmohan Singh serving as prime minister between 2004 and 2014. The BJP won the 2014 Indian general election, and its parliamentary leader Narendra Modi formed the first non-Congress single party majority government. Modi has served as prime minister since.
List of the Prime Ministers of India
1.Jawaharlal Nehru (1947–1964)
2.Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting: 1964, 1966)
3.Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964–1966)
4.Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting: 1966)
5.Indira Gandhi (1966–1977)
6.Morarji Desai (1977–1979)
7.Charan Singh (1979–1980)
8.Indira Gandhi (1980–1984)
9.Rajiv Gandhi (1984–1989)
10.Vishwanath Pratap Singh (1989–1990)
11.Chandra Shekhar (1990–1991)
12.P. V. Narasimha Rao (1991–1996)
13.Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1996)
14.H. D. Deve Gowda (1996–1997)
15.I.K. Gujral (1997–1998)
16.Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998–2004)
17.Manmohan Singh (2004–2014)
18.Narendra Modi (2014–present)
INTERESTING FACTS
Covering all Indian Prime Ministers with detailed interesting facts for each would be extensive, but here are brief and intriguing facts about each Prime Minister from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi:
Jawaharlal Nehru (1947–1964): Nehru was an avid reader and prolific writer, penning several books, including the famous “Discovery of India.” He was India’s longest-serving Prime Minister and played a crucial role in shaping the country’s foreign policy. Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting: 1964, 1966): Nanda served as the Acting Prime Minister twice, following the deaths of Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964–1966): Shastri coined the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” (“Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer”) during the Indo-Pak War of 1965, emphasizing the role of both in the nation’s development. Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting: 1966): Nanda served as Acting Prime Minister for a brief period after the demise of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Indira Gandhi (1966– 1977, 1980–1984): Indira Gandhi was the only woman to hold the office of Prime Minister in India. She declared a state of emergency in 1975, suspending civil liberties, and faced criticism for authoritarianism.
Morarji Desai (1977– 1979): Desai was known for his austere lifestyle, strict discipline, and advocacy for Gandhian principles. He was the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India.
Charan Singh (1979– 1980): Charan Singh was a prominent leader in the Green Revolution, focusing on agricultural reforms. His term as Prime Minister was short-lived, serving for less than two years. Indira Gandhi (1980– 1984): Gandhi’s second term witnessed Operation Blue Star, an action against Sikh militants in the Golden Temple, which led to her assassination in 1984.
Rajiv Gandhi (1984– 1989): Rajiv Gandhi, a former pilot, was India’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40. He initiated economic and technological reforms during his tenure.
Vishwanath Pratap Singh (1989–1990): V.P. Singh implemented the Mandal Commission recommendations for reservation in government jobs, impacting Indian politics significantly. His government collapsed due to internal differences on economic policies.
Chandra Shekhar (1990–1991): Chandra Shekhar was the only Prime Minister to be elected with outside support, without a majority in the Lok Sabha. His term was short-lived, lasting less than a year.
P. V. Narasimha Rao (1991–1996): Rao initiated economic reforms, dismantling the License Raj and opening up the Indian economy. He was a polyglot, fluent in multiple languages, including Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1996): Vajpayee served as Prime Minister for a short duration in 1996, making him the first nonCongress Prime Minister to complete a full term. He was a renowned poet and orator, known for his powerful speeches.
H. D. Deve Gowda (1996–1997): Deve Gowda was the first Prime Minister from Karnataka. His term was marked by political instability and the United Front coalition government.
I. K. Gujral (1997–1998): Gujral’s “Gujral Doctrine” focused on improving relations with India’s neighbors, emphasizing non-reciprocal gestures of goodwill. He served as the External Affairs Minister and later as Prime Minister.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998–2004): Vajpayee led the government during the 1998 nuclear tests, establishing India as a nuclear weapons state. His government prioritized infrastructure development with projects like the Golden Quadrilateral.
Manmohan Singh (2004–2014): Manmohan Singh, an economist, played a pivotal role in economic reforms in the 1990s and served as the Finance Minister. His tenure as Prime Minister saw substantial economic growth but also faced criticism for corruption scandals.
Narendra Modi (2014– present): Modi, a former Chief Minister of Gujarat, is known for his dynamic leadership style and emphasis on development. He initiated flagship schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Make in India. These facts provide a glimpse into the diverse personalities and contributions of India’s Prime Ministers over the years.
The Role of Prime Minister
The position of the Prime Minister is one of paramount significance in the political landscape of India. As the head of the government, the Prime Minister plays a crucial role in shaping the nation’s policies, steering its development, and representing the country on the global stage. This essay explores the role, responsibilities, and significance of the Prime Minister of India in the democratic framework of the nation.
Responsibilities:
The Prime Minister of India is the leader of the executive branch of the government and is appointed by the President of India. The Prime Minister’s role is multifaceted, encompassing various responsibilities that contribute to the governance and administration of the country. Some key roles and responsibilities include: Head of Government: The Prime Minister is the head of the government and holds the highest executive authority. They lead the Council of Ministers and are responsible for formulating and implementing policies. Policy Formulation: The Prime Minister is actively involved in the formulation of policies that guide the nation’s development. They work closely with their cabinet colleagues, experts, and advisors to address the diverse challenges faced by the country. Crisis Management: During times of crisis, whether it be economic challenges, natural disasters, or security threats, the Prime Minister takes charge of crisis management. They provide leadership and coordinate efforts to address and overcome such challenges. Legislative Leadership: The Prime Minister plays a crucial role in the legislative process. They guide the government’s agenda in the Parliament, ensuring the passage of bills and policies that align with the government’s vision. International Representation: As the face of the nation on the global stage, the Prime Minister represents India in international forums. They engage in diplomatic activities, foster bilateral relations, and participate in global discussions on issues of mutual concern. Advisory Role: The Prime Minister advises the President on the appointment of key officials, including members of the cabinet and other highranking positions. In summary, the role of the Prime Minister in India is indispensable for effective governance, policy formulation, representation, and crisis management. The position is designed to provide strong leadership and coordination, ensuring that the government functions smoothly and addresses the diverse challenges facing the nation.
REVOLUTIONARY DECISIONS
Here’s a chronological overview of some significant and transformative decisions made by Indian Prime Ministers: Jawaharlal Nehru: Land Reforms: Nehru’s government implemented land reforms aimed at reducing the concentration of landownership, redistributing land to the landless, and abolishing intermediaries.
Indira Gandhi: Nationalization of Banks (1969): Indira Gandhi’s government nationalized major banks to bring about greater economic control and inclusive growth.
Morarji Desai: Diplomatic Recognition of Bangladesh (1971): While not a Prime Minister at the time, Morarji Desai, as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs, played a key role in India’s recognition of Bangladesh after the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Rajiv Gandhi: He initiated computerization efforts in government offices, laying the groundwork for the modernization of administrative processes with the introduction of computers.
V.P. Singh: Implementation of Mandal Commission Recommendations (1990): V.P. Singh’s decision to implement the Mandal Commission’s recommendations for reservations in government jobs for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) had a profound impact on Indian politics.
P.V. Narasimha Rao: Economic Liberalization (1991): Facing a severe economic crisis, Rao initiated significant economic reforms, liberalizing the Indian economy by dismantling the License Raj and opening up to foreign investment.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests (1998): Vajpayee’s government conducted a series of nuclear tests at Pokhran, declaring India as a nuclear weapons state.
Manmohan Singh: Nuclear Deal with the U.S. (2008): Manmohan Singh’s government secured the Indo-U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement, opening up India’s nuclear sector for civilian purposes and easing international restrictions.
Narendra Modi: Goods and Services Tax (GST) Implementation (2017): Modi’s government implemented the GST, a unified indirect tax system aimed at simplifying taxation and promoting a common market.