Prime Minister of India

Shri Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister

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PM India org

Air India One Chennai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets people in Varanasi (1)

Barack and Michelle Obama attend a dinner hosted by Manmohan Singh and Mrs. Gursharan Kaur at the Prime Ministers residence in New Delhi, Nov. 7, 2010

Army, Navy & Air Force personnels, the three wings of services, carrying the mortal remains of the former Prime Minister, Late Shri P V Narasimha Rao towards service aircraft at Palam Airport, New Delhi on December 24

Prime Minister of India is the leader of the executive branch of the Government of India. The Prime Minister is also the chief adviser to the President of India and the head of the Council of Ministers. They can be a member of any of the two houses of the Parliament of India—the Lok Sabha (House of the People) or the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)—but has to be a member of the political party or coalition that has a majority in the Lok Sabha.

The Prime Minister is appointed by the President who also appoints other ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. The official residence of the Prime Minister of India is 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi.

Role and Power

The Prime Minister leads the functioning and exercise of authority of the Government of India. They are responsible for creating policies and executing them, introducing bills in the Parliament, coordinating work among different ministries, and representing India in various international forums. The Prime Minister also plays a significant role in the appointment of the Cabinet Secretaries, judges of the Supreme Court of India and High Courts, and other key officials.

Appointment

The President of India invites a candidate who is perceived to have the majority of support in the Lok Sabha to form the government. This is usually the leader of the political party or coalition that has won the most seats in the Lok Sabha elections. After swearing in, the Prime Minister selects ministers from among the members of the Parliament to form the Cabinet.

List of Prime Ministers

India has had numerous Prime Ministers since its independence in 1947. The first Prime Minister was Jawaharlal Nehru, who served from 1947 until his death in 1964. Other notable Prime Ministers include Indira Gandhi, the first and, to date, the only female Prime Minister of India; Rajiv Gandhi; Atal Bihari Vajpayee; Manmohan Singh, and the current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Challenges and Criticisms

The role of the Prime Minister of India has not been without its challenges and criticisms. These include allegations of corruption, governance issues, policy failures, and handling of communal and social tensions. Each Prime Minister has faced unique challenges related to India's vast diversity, economic disparities, and regional differences.

Legacy and Influence

The legacy and influence of a Prime Minister on Indian politics and society depend on their governance, policies, and leadership style. Prime Ministers like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee have left a significant impact on India's political landscape, shaping the country's domestic and foreign policies.