The Prime Minister of India is the head of the Union Council of Ministers and the most important executive authority in the parliamentary system of the country. According to the Constitution, the President is the constitutional head of India, while the Prime Minister acts as the head of the government. The Prime Minister plays a central role in making policies, coordinating the work of different ministries, advising the President, and leading the country in national and international affairs.
The constitutional position of the Prime Minister of India is mainly explained through Articles 74 and 75 of the Constitution. These two Articles are central to understanding the relationship between the President, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers in India’s parliamentary system. The Prime Minister must be a member of either House of Parliament or become a member within six months of appointment.
Article 74 deals with the Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President. It provides that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at its head to aid and advise the President. The President normally acts according to this advice.
Article 75 deals mainly with the appointment and responsibilities of the Prime Minister and other ministers. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, while the other ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, which is an important principle of parliamentary democracy.
Article 75 also provides that a minister who is not a member of either House of Parliament for six consecutive months must cease to be a minister. The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of independent India (served from 15 August 1947 to 27 May 1964) and remained the country's longest-serving Prime Minister for many years. He played an important role in building India's democratic institutions, promoting scientific development, and shaping India's foreign policy. He was followed briefly by Gulzarilal Nanda, who served as acting Prime Minister twice.
Lal Bahadur Shastri became Prime Minister in 1964. His leadership during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War and his famous slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” made him an important figure in Indian history. After his death in 1966, Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister. She served in two periods, from 1966–1977 and 1980–1984. Her tenure included major events such as the nationalisation of banks, the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, and the creation of Bangladesh.
After Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India in 1977. His government was followed by Charan Singh. Later, Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980. After her assassination in 1984, Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister. He is remembered particularly for encouraging the use of modern technology and telecommunications in India.
During the late 1980s and 1990s, India experienced several changes in government. V. P. Singh, Chandra Shekhar, P. V. Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, H. D. Deve Gowda, and I. K.
Gujral served as Prime Ministers during this period. P. V. Narasimha Rao's government is particularly remembered for the 1991 economic reforms, while Atal Bihari Vajpayee provided leadership to coalition governments and played an important role in India's nuclear policy and infrastructure development.
Manmohan Singh served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014. His tenure was associated with economic growth, major welfare programmes, and initiatives such as the Right to Information Act and the "Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act" (MGNREGA).
Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014 and began his third consecutive term in 2024. He is India's first Prime Minister to be born after independence and, after Jawaharlal Nehru, the second Prime Minister to complete two full terms and return for a third term. His governments have focused on programmes related to digital technology, infrastructure, financial inclusion, sanitation, manufacturing, and development.
The Prime Minister therefore occupies a crucial position in India's democratic system. From Nehru to Narendra Modi, India's Prime Ministers have led the nation through wars, economic changes, political transitions, social reforms, and periods of rapid development.
Understanding the Prime Ministers, their tenure, major events, and contributions is essential for students preparing for GK, UPSC, WBCS, SSC, UGC-NET and other competitive
*****PRACTICE SET: Prime Ministers of India — ONE-LINER FACTS*****
1. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of independent India.
2. Nehru served as Prime Minister from 15 August 1947 to 27 May 1964.
3. Gulzarilal Nanda served as Acting Prime Minister twice.
4. Lal Bahadur Shastri succeeded Nehru as Prime Minister in 1964.
5. Shastri gave the famous slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.”
6. Indira Gandhi became India's first woman Prime Minister in 1966.
7. Indira Gandhi served as Prime Minister during 1966–1977 and 1980–1984.
8. Morarji Desai was the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India.
9. Charan Singh served as Prime Minister from 1979 to 1980.
10. Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1984 after the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
11. Rajiv Gandhi was the youngest person to become Prime Minister of India.
12. V. P. Singh served as Prime Minister from 1989 to 1990.
13. P. V. Narasimha Rao became Prime Minister in 1991.
14. Rao's government introduced major economic reforms in 1991.
15. Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as Prime Minister in three terms.
16. Vajpayee's government conducted the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998.
17. H. D. Deve Gowda served as Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997.
18. I. K. Gujral served as Prime Minister from 1997 to 1998.
19. Manmohan Singh served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014.
20. Manmohan Singh was the first Sikh Prime Minister of India.
21. Narendra Modi became Prime Minister for the first time in 2014.
22. Modi became Prime Minister for a third consecutive term in 2024.
23. Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister born after India's independence.
24. After Nehru, Modi is the second Prime Minister to complete two full five-year terms and return for a third term.
25. Article 74 deals with the Council of Ministers aiding and advising the President.
26. Under Article 74, the Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers.
27. Article 75 deals with the appointment and other provisions concerning ministers.
28. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President under Article 75.
29. Other Union ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
30. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
31. A minister who is not a member of either House of Parliament for six consecutive months ceases to be a minister.
32. The total number of Union ministers, including the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
33. The Prime Minister is the chief link between the President and the Council of Ministers.
34. The Prime Minister plays a central role in policy-making and administration.
35. The Prime Minister leads the Union government in India's parliamentary system of democracy.
*****PRACTICE SET: Prime Ministers of India, MCQS WITH EXPLANATIONS*****
1. Under Article 75, who formally appoints the Prime Minister of India?
A. Lok Sabha Speaker
B. President of India
C. Chief Justice of India
D. Vice-President of India
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 75(1) provides that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President. In parliamentary practice, the President normally appoints the leader who is most likely to command the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
2. Consider the following statements regarding Article 74:
* There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at its head.
* The President may require the Council of Ministers to reconsider its advice once.
* After reconsideration, the President is constitutionally required to act according to the advice tendered.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation: All three statements correctly describe Article 74. The President may return advice for reconsideration once, but after reconsideration, the President must act in accordance with the advice.
3. Which statement best explains the significance of the phrase “with the Prime Minister at the head” in Article 74?
A. The Prime Minister is constitutionally superior to the President.
B. The Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers that aids and advises the President.
C. The Prime Minister appoints the President.
D. The Prime Minister exercises judicial power over the President.
Answer: B
4. The constitutional principle of collective responsibility of the Union Council of Ministers is explicitly associated with which provision?
A. Article 74
B. Article 75(3)
C. Article 76
D. Article 78
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 75(3) states that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People (Lok Sabha). This means the ministry functions as a team and must retain the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
5. If a person is appointed as a Union Minister but is not a member of either House of Parliament, what is the maximum period for which that person can continue as a minister without becoming a member of Parliament?
A. Three months
B. Six months
C. Nine months
D. One year
Answer: B
Explanation: Under Article 75(5), a person who is not a member of either House of Parliament for six consecutive months cannot continue as a minister after that period. The person must become a member of Parliament within six months.
6. Which constitutional amendment imposed the present 15% ceiling on the total number of Union ministers, including the Prime Minister?
A. 42nd Amendment
B. 44th Amendment
C. 73rd Amendment
D. 91st Amendment
Answer: D
Explanation: The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 inserted the relevant provision limiting the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, to 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
7. Which of the following correctly distinguishes Article 74 from Article 75?
A. Article 74 concerns the Supreme Court, while Article 75 concerns Parliament.
B. Article 74 concerns the Council of Ministers aiding and advising the President, while Article 75 deals with appointment and other conditions concerning ministers.
C. Both Articles exclusively concern the President's election.
D. Article 75 deals only with the Prime Minister's salary.
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 74 → Council of Ministers and advice to the President.
Article 75 → Appointment, tenure, responsibility and other constitutional provisions concerning ministers.
8. A person becomes Prime Minister while being a member of the Rajya Sabha. Which statement is correct?
A. A Prime Minister must necessarily be a Lok Sabha member.
B. A Prime Minister may be a member of either House of Parliament.
C. A Prime Minister must be elected directly by the people.
D. A Prime Minister cannot be a Rajya Sabha member.
Answer: B
Explanation: The Constitution does not require the Prime Minister to be a Lok Sabha member. A Prime Minister may belong to either House, provided the constitutional requirements are satisfied. However, the Council of Ministers as a whole is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
9. Which of the following pairs is INCORRECTLY matched?
A. Article 74 — Aid and advice to the President
B. Article 75 — Appointment and provisions concerning ministers
C. Article 75(3) — Collective responsibility to Lok Sabha
D. Article 74 — Election of the Prime Minister by the Lok Sabha
Answer: D
Explanation: The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, not directly elected by the Lok Sabha. The leader of the majority party or coalition is generally appointed because that person is expected to command the confidence of the House.
10. If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion against the Council of Ministers, which constitutional principle is most directly involved?
A. Judicial review
B. Collective responsibility
C. Federal supremacy
D. Separation of powers
Answer: B
Explanation: The no-confidence mechanism directly reflects Article 75(3). Since the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, loss of the House's confidence normally requires the ministry to resign.
Article 74 → Council of Ministers + Aid & Advice to President
Article 75 → Appointment and provisions concerning Ministers
Article 75(1) → PM appointed by President
Article 75(1) → Other ministers appointed by President on PM's advice
Article 75(3) → Collective responsibility to Lok Sabha
Article 75(5) → Six-month rule for a non-member minister
15% limit → 91st Constitutional Amendment, 2003
PM → Head of Council of Ministers
President → Constitutional Head of State
PM → Head of Government
11. Consider the following pairs of Prime Ministers and their tenure:
* Jawaharlal Nehru — 1947–1964
* Lal Bahadur Shastri — 1964–1966
* Indira Gandhi — 1966–1977
* Morarji Desai — 1977–1979
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D
Explanation: Nehru was the first Prime Minister and served from 1947 to 1964. Shastri succeeded him and served until 1966. Indira Gandhi's first tenure lasted from 1966 to 1977, followed by Morarji Desai, who led the first non-Congress government at the Centre from 1977 to 1979.
12. Who among the following was the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India?
A. Charan Singh
B. Morarji Desai
C. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
D. V. P. Singh
Answer: B
Explanation: Morarji Desai became Prime Minister in 1977 after the Janata Party defeated the Congress following the Emergency period. He was the first Prime Minister of India who did not belong to the Congress Party.
13. Gulzarilal Nanda is particularly important in the history of Indian Prime Ministers because:
A. He was the first non-Congress Prime Minister.
B. He was the longest-serving Prime Minister after Nehru.
C. He served twice as Acting Prime Minister following the deaths of two Prime Ministers.
D. He was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India.
Answer: C
Explanation: Gulzarilal Nanda served as Acting Prime Minister twice—first after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964 and again after the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1966. Each time, he served temporarily until a new Prime Minister was appointed.
14. Which Prime Minister is associated with the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”, particularly emphasising the importance of soldiers and farmers?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Lal Bahadur Shastri
C. Morarji Desai
D. Indira Gandhi
Answer: B
Explanation: Shastri gave the famous slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” in 1965. It highlighted the contribution of India's armed forces and agricultural community, particularly during a period of war and food shortages.
15. Which of the following Prime Ministers had two separate terms in office, with the second term beginning in 1980?
A. Indira Gandhi
B. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
C. Manmohan Singh
D. Rajiv Gandhi
Answer: A
Explanation: Indira Gandhi first served from 1966 to 1977 and returned as Prime Minister in 1980, serving until her assassination in 1984. Her political career therefore included two distinct periods as Prime Minister.
16. Consider the following events:
* Nationalisation of major banks
* Indo-Pakistan War of 1971
* Creation of Bangladesh
* Declaration of Emergency in 1975
Which Prime Minister's tenure is associated with all these major events?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Lal Bahadur Shastri
C. Indira Gandhi
D. Morarji Desai
Answer: C
Explanation: These major events occurred during Indira Gandhi's premiership. Her government nationalised major commercial banks in 1969, led India during the 1971 war, and the war resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. The Internal Emergency was declared in 1975.
17. Which Prime Minister became the youngest Prime Minister of India at the time of assuming office?
A. Rajiv Gandhi
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
D. Narendra Modi
Answer: A
Explanation: Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister in October 1984 following the assassination of Indira Gandhi. At the age of 40, he became the youngest person to hold the office of Prime Minister of India.
18. Arrange the following Prime Ministers in the correct chronological order:
* Rajiv Gandhi
* V. P. Singh
* P. V. Narasimha Rao
* Chandra Shekhar
* Rajiv Gandhi
Which sequence is correct after Rajiv Gandhi's first term?
A. V. P. Singh → Chandra Shekhar → P. V. Narasimha Rao
B. Chandra Shekhar → V. P. Singh → P. V. Narasimha Rao
C. V. P. Singh → P. V. Narasimha Rao → Chandra Shekhar
D. P. V. Narasimha Rao → V. P. Singh → Chandra Shekhar
Answer: A
Explanation: The sequence was Rajiv Gandhi → V. P. Singh → Chandra Shekhar → P. V. Narasimha Rao.
V. P. Singh became Prime Minister in 1989, Chandra Shekhar followed in 1990, and P. V. Narasimha Rao became Prime Minister in 1991.
19. Which Prime Minister's government is most closely associated with the introduction of the major economic liberalisation reforms of 1991?
A. Rajiv Gandhi
B. P. V. Narasimha Rao
C. V. P. Singh
D. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Answer: B
Explanation: P. V. Narasimha Rao became Prime Minister in 1991. His government initiated major economic reforms, with Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister, moving India towards liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation.
20. Which Prime Minister's tenure is correctly associated with the Pokhran-II nuclear tests of 1998?
A. P. V. Narasimha Rao
B. I. K. Gujral
C. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
D. H. D. Deve Gowda
Answer: C
Explanation: India conducted Pokhran-II nuclear tests in May 1998 during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's premiership. The tests marked a significant development in India's strategic and nuclear policy.
21. Which Prime Minister served three separate periods as Prime Minister, including a brief first tenure in 1996?
A. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
B. Manmohan Singh
C. Morarji Desai
D. Narendra Modi
Answer: A
Explanation: Vajpayee served as Prime Minister three times: 16 May–1 June 1996 / 1998–1999 / 1999–2004
His first government lasted only 13 days, making it one of the shortest Prime Ministerial terms.
22. Who among the following served as Prime Minister for the shortest full tenure among the Prime Ministers who formed governments after 1990, excluding acting Prime Ministers?
A. Chandra Shekhar
B. H. D. Deve Gowda
C. I. K. Gujral
D. V. P. Singh
Answer: A
Explanation: Chandra Shekhar served as Prime Minister from November 1990 to June 1991, a period of roughly seven months. His government was formed with outside support from the Congress but later lost that support.
23. Which Prime Minister served continuously for two complete five-year terms from 2004 to 2014?
A. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
B. Manmohan Singh
C. Narendra Modi
D. P. V. Narasimha Rao
Answer: B
Explanation: Manmohan Singh served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for two consecutive terms. He was the first Sikh Prime Minister of India.
24. Consider the following statements about Narendra Modi:
* He became Prime Minister for the first time in 2014.
* He began his third consecutive term in 2024.
* He is the first Prime Minister of India born after independence.
* He became Prime Minister for the first time after serving as Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Which of the statements are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D
Explanation: Narendra Modi first became Prime Minister in 2014, returned to office in 2019, and began his third consecutive term in 2024. Before becoming Prime Minister, he served as Chief Minister of Gujarat.
25. Which Prime Minister became the second person after Jawaharlal Nehru to be elected Prime Minister for three consecutive terms?
A. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
B. Manmohan Singh
C. Narendra Modi
D. Rajiv Gandhi
Answer: C
Explanation: Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, was re-elected in 2019, and began his third consecutive term in 2024.
Jawaharlal Nehru had previously won three consecutive general elections and served as Prime Minister from 1947 until 1964.
26. Which of the following sequences correctly represents the Prime Ministers who served between 1996 and 1998?
A. Vajpayee → Deve Gowda → Gujral → Vajpayee
B. Deve Gowda → Vajpayee → Gujral → Vajpayee
C. Vajpayee → Gujral → Deve Gowda → Vajpayee
D. Rao → Vajpayee → Deve Gowda → Gujral
Answer: A
Explanation: Vajpayee first became Prime Minister briefly in May 1996. Deve Gowda then became Prime Minister, followed by I. K. Gujral, and Vajpayee returned to office in March 1998.
27. Consider the following pairs:
* P. V. Narasimha Rao — 1991 Economic Reforms
* Atal Bihari Vajpayee — Pokhran-II
* Manmohan Singh — RTI Act
* Narendra Modi — GST implementation
Which of the above are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D
28. Which Prime Minister's government is associated with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), enacted in 2005?
A. Narendra Modi
B. Manmohan Singh
C. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
D. Rajiv Gandhi
Answer: B
Explanation: MGNREGA was enacted in 2005 during Manmohan Singh's government. It provides a legal guarantee of wage employment to rural households subject to the Act's provisions.
29. Which Prime Minister's tenure saw the enactment of the Right to Information Act, 2005?
A. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
B. Manmohan Singh
C. Narendra Modi
D. P. V. Narasimha Rao
Answer: B
Explanation: The Right to Information Act, 2005 was enacted during Manmohan Singh's first term. It strengthened citizens' access to information held by public authorities and became an important transparency measure.
30. Which of the following Prime Ministers was in office when the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments relating to Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies were enacted?
A. Rajiv Gandhi
B. P. V. Narasimha Rao
C. V. P. Singh
D. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Answer: B
Explanation: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts were gave constitutional status to rural and urban local self-government institutions.
31. Which Prime Minister became the first person from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to serve as Prime Minister for a full five-year term?
A. Narendra Modi
B. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
C. L. K. Advani
D. Morarji Desai
Answer: B
Explanation: Atal Bihari Vajpayee became Prime Minister in 1998 and later headed the NDA government from 1999 to 2004, completing a full five-year term.
Narendra Modi later became the second BJP Prime Minister to complete a full term.
32. Which Prime Minister's government launched the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in 2000?
A. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
B. Manmohan Singh
C. P. V. Narasimha Rao
D. Rajiv Gandhi
Answer: A
Explanation: Its principal objective was to provide all-weather road connectivity to eligible rural habitations.
33. Which Prime Minister was in office during India's Kargil War of 1999?
A. P. V. Narasimha Rao
B. H. D. Deve Gowda
C. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
D. Manmohan Singh
Answer: C
Explanation: The Kargil War took place in 1999 during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's premiership. The conflict involved Indian and Pakistani forces in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
34. Which of the following statements regarding Charan Singh is correct?
A. He completed a full five-year term.
B. He was the first Prime Minister from the BJP.
C. He became Prime Minister with outside support from the Congress but resigned before facing a confidence vote after that support was withdrawn.
D. He succeeded Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Answer: C
Explanation: Charan Singh became Prime Minister in June 1979. He depended on Congress support but resigned in January 1980 after Congress withdrew support, before he could face a confidence vote in the Lok Sabha.
35. Who among the following became Prime Minister after V. P. Singh and before P. V. Narasimha Rao?
A. I. K. Gujral
B. H. D. Deve Gowda
C. Chandra Shekhar
D. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Answer: C
Explanation: The sequence was V. P. Singh → Chandra Shekhar → P. V. Narasimha Rao. Chandra Shekhar served as Prime Minister from November 1990 to June 1991.
*****FULL CHRONOLOGICAL REVISION*****
Jawaharlal Nehru → Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting) → Lal Bahadur Shastri → Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting) → Indira Gandhi → Morarji Desai → Charan Singh → Indira Gandhi → Rajiv Gandhi → V. P. Singh → Chandra Shekhar → P. V. Narasimha Rao → Atal Bihari Vajpayee → H. D. Deve Gowda → I. K. Gujral → Atal Bihari Vajpayee → Manmohan Singh → Narendra Modi
EXAM TRAP: Never memorize only the “major” Prime Ministers. Questions can specifically target the short-term, acting and coalition Prime Ministers such as "Gulzarilal Nanda, Charan Singh, Chandra Shekhar, H. D. Deve Gowda and I. K. Gujral."