Prime Minister of India

About Prime Minister of India

The Prime Minister of India is the head of the executive branch of the Government of India. His position is distinct from that of the President of India, who is the head of the State.

As India follows a parliamentary system of government modelled after the Westminster system, most of the executive powers are exercised by the Prime Minister. He acts as an advisor to the President and is the leader of the Council of Ministers.

The President appoints the Prime Minister of India and on his advice, appoints the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister can be a member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.

Narendra Damodardas Modi

Powers/Authorities of Prime Minister

The various powers and authorities enjoyed by the Prime Minister are as follows:

Head of the Government

The Prime Minister of India is the head of the Government. Though the President is the head of the State, most of the executive decisions are taken by the Prime Minister. All the important decision-making bodies in India, like the Union Cabinet and the Planning Commission, run under his supervision.

Leader of the Council of Ministers

As far as the Prime Minister’s relation to the Council of Ministers is concerned, his position is that of “First among Equals”. In the case of death or resignation of the Prime Minister, the entire Council of Ministers has to resign. The ministers directly report to the Prime Minister. He can also remove a minister by asking for his resignation or having him dismissed by the President. If any difference of opinion arises between the Prime Minister and any other minister, the opinion of the Prime Minister prevails.

Leader of the Parliament

The Prime Minister is the Leader of the House to which he belongs. He can also take part in debates in the House of which he is not a member. He can also advise the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha.

Representative of the Country

In international affairs, he is the spokesperson of the country. The Prime Minister plays a major role in directing India’s foreign policy.

List of Prime Ministers of India

Prime Ministers	From	To	Party
Shri. Narendra Modi	May 26, 2014	Incumbent	Bharatiya Janata Party
Dr. Manmohan Singh	May 22, 2004	May 26, 2014	Indian National Congress
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee	Mar 19, 1998	May 22, 2004	Bharatiya Janata Party
Shri Inder Kumar Gujral	Apr 21, 1997	Mar 19, 1998	Janata Dal
Shri H. D. Deve Gowda	Jun 1, 1996	Apr 21, 1997	Janata Dal
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee	May 16, 1996	Jun 1, 1996	Bharatiya Janata Party
Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao	Jun 21, 1991	May 16, 1996	Congress (I)
Shri Chandra Shekhar	Nov 10, 1990	Jun 21, 1991	Janata Dal
Shri Vishwanath Pratap Singh	Dec 2, 1989	Nov 10, 1990	Janata Dal
Shri Rajiv Gandhi	Oct 31, 1984	Dec 2, 1989	Congress (I)
Smt. Indira Gandhi	Jan 14, 1980	Oct 31, 1984	Congress (I)
Shri Charan Singh	Jul 28, 1979	Jan 14, 1980	Janata Party
Shri Morarji Desai	Mar 24, 1977	Jul 28, 1979	Janata Party
Smt. Indira Gandhi	Jan 24, 1966	Mar 24, 1977	Congress
Shri Gulzari Lal Nanda	Jan 11, 1966	Jan 24, 1966	Congress
Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri	Jun 9, 1964	Jan 11, 1966	Congress
Shri Gulzari Lal Nanda	May 27, 1964	Jun 9, 1964	Congress
Shri Jawaharlal Nehru	Aug 15, 1947	May 27, 1964	Congress