Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 10 became India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister, completing 4,399 days in office. Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister on May 26, 2014.
With this, he surpassed the record of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who served as an elected Prime Minister for 4,398 days. Modi is currently serving his third consecutive term as Prime Minister.
After India gained independence on August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru was appointed Prime Minister and remained in office from August 15, 1947, to May 13, 1952, serving a total of 1,732 days.
India held its first general election in 1952, after which the Congress party came to power. The party’s parliamentary group elected Nehru as its leader, and he then served continuously as the elected Prime Minister from May 13, 1952, until May 27, 1964.
When Narendra Modi entered Parliament for the first time in 2014, he bowed and touched his forehead to the steps of Parliament. In 2019, he paid respects to the Constitution. In 2024, he held the Constitution in his hands and touched it to his forehead as a mark of reverence.
NDA parliamentary party meeting in Delhi today
An important meeting of the NDA will be held on Wednesday as the Modi government completes 12 years in office. The meeting, scheduled at Bharat Mandapam, will be attended by chief ministers and deputy chief ministers from 22 NDA-ruled states and Union Territories, BJP leaders, and senior representatives of alliance partners.
A congratulatory resolution will be passed on Prime Minister Narendra Modi becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister. Discussions will also focus on the roadmap for “Viksit Bharat 2047”, improving coordination between the Centre and states, accelerating development projects, and promoting ease of living and ease of doing business.
Difference between ‘consecutive tenure’ and ‘total tenure’
The key difference lies in whether the office was held without interruption.
1. Consecutive tenure:
When a leader remains in the same office without any break, it is called a consecutive tenure.
Example: Narendra Modi has served continuously as India’s Prime Minister since May 26, 2014. Therefore, his current tenure is considered consecutive.
2. Total tenure:
When a leader serves in the same office during different periods, all those periods are added together to calculate the total tenure.
Example: Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as Prime Minister three times. The combined duration of all three terms constitutes his total tenure.
Modi has received 31 highest civilian honours from foreign nations
Since becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has received the highest civilian honours from 31 countries. The first came on April 3, 2016, when Saudi Arabia conferred upon him the Order of King Abdulaziz.
In May this year, during a visit to Norway, King Harald V awarded Modi the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. Modi has also received the UN Champions of the Earth Award. In addition, he has addressed the parliaments of 15 countries, including the US, the UK, Australia and France.
13 major decisions of the Modi government
July 1, 2015 – Digital India: The government launched the Digital India initiative to expand internet access and online services, accelerating digital payments and e-governance.
September 29, 2016 – Surgical strikes: Following the Uri attack, the Indian Army carried out cross-border strikes on terrorist launch pads. It was the first time such an operation was publicly acknowledged by the government.
November 8, 2016 – Demonetisation: ₹500 and ₹1,000 currency notes were withdrawn from circulation, requiring people to exchange old notes through banks.
July 1, 2017 – GST rollout: A nationwide indirect tax system was introduced, replacing multiple taxes with a unified structure.
February 26, 2019 – Balakot air strike: After the Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force conducted air strikes on terrorist targets in Balakot, Pakistan.
July 31, 2019 – Triple talaq law: The practice of instant triple talaq was criminalised under Indian law.
August 5, 2019 – Abrogation of Article 370: Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was revoked, and Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory.
December 11, 2019 – Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): The law eased the path to Indian citizenship for certain non-Muslim refugees from neighbouring countries.
2020–2022 – COVID-19 response and vaccination drive: The government imposed lockdowns during the pandemic and administered more than 220 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses.
May 28, 2023 – New Parliament building: The new Parliament building in New Delhi was inaugurated and became the venue for parliamentary proceedings.
September 9–10, 2023 – G20 Summit: India hosted the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi for the first time.
January 22, 2024 – Ram Mandir consecration: The consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla was held at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, and the temple was opened to devotees.
May 7, 2025 – Operation Sindoor: Following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian armed forces carried out strikes on terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). According to the government, more than 100 terrorists were killed in the operation.
On May 6-7, 2025, under Operation Sindoor, India conducted airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and PoK.
India becomes world’s 4th largest economy in 2025
The year 2025 proved historic for India’s economy as the country overtook Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. In the second quarter (Q2), GDP growth rose to 8.2%. In November, retail inflation fell sharply to 0.71%, while unemployment dropped to 4.7%, its lowest level since April 2025.
India’s total GDP value reached $4.18 trillion (around ₹350 lakh crore). The International Monetary Fund had projected that after overtaking Japan, India could surpass Germany within the next 2.5 to 3 years and become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030, with an estimated GDP of $7.3 trillion (₹655 lakh crore).
Two major decisions withdrawn during the Modi government
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, two major decisions were either withdrawn or significantly altered due to protests, judicial intervention, and other circumstances.
1. Three farm laws (2020–2021)
Introduced: September 2020 Withdrawn: November 19, 2021 (announcement), November 29, 2021 (formal repeal in Parliament)
The government introduced three agricultural reform laws aimed at modernising the farm sector. However, farmers strongly opposed them, leading to protests around Delhi for nearly a year. PM Modi announced their withdrawal on November 19, 2021, and Parliament formally repealed them on November 29, 2021.
2. Land Acquisition Ordinance (2014–2015)
Introduced: December 2014 Withdrawn/allowed to lapse: August 2015
The government brought an ordinance to amend the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. It faced strong opposition from political parties and farmer groups. Although the bill passed the Lok Sabha, it failed to get approval in the Rajya Sabha. Amid continued opposition, the government allowed the ordinance to lapse in August 2015.
Two popular programmes of PM Modi
Mann Ki Baat (started October 3, 2014):
This is a monthly radio programme where the Prime Minister addresses citizens, highlighting inspirational individuals, social initiatives, public movements, and national issues. It aims to encourage direct communication with the public and promote participation in nation-building. By June 2026, 135 episodes had been broadcast.
Pariksha Pe Charcha (started February 16, 2018):
This annual interactive programme involves students, parents, and teachers, where the Prime Minister discusses exam stress, time management, career guidance, and confidence building. The aim is to help students reduce exam pressure and focus better on studies. By 2026, nine editions had been held.
3 pictures from Modi’s tenure that remained in discussion
Modi’s Pakistan Visit: On December 25, 2015, while returning to Delhi from Kabul, Modi suddenly decided to visit Pakistan. That same evening, Modi landed at Lahore Airport, where Pakistan’s PM Nawaz Sharif received him. Modi also visited Nawaz Sharif’s home.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reached the airport to receive PM Modi.
Security lapse in PM Modi’s security in Punjab: On January 5, 2022, there was a major security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ferozepur in Punjab. Due to bad weather, the PM was being taken by road from Bathinda to the Martyrs’ Memorial at Hussainiwala, but his convoy was stuck on a flyover for about 15-20 minutes due to protesters blocking the highway.
After the convoy stopped, SPG personnel surrounded PM Modi’s car from all sides.
Papua New Guinea PM touched Modi’s feet: On May 21, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Papua New Guinea. The PM there, James Marape, welcomed Modi by touching his feet. After this, Prime Minister Modi was given a Guard of Honor at the airport itself. This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to this Indo-Pacific region.
Papua New Guinea’s PM James Marape first shook hands with Modi, then touched his feet.
Modi among the most followed leaders
PM Narendra Modi has 10.69 crore on X. He is among the most followed global leaders. The top position is held by former US President Barack Obama, followed by Donald Trump.
BJP has expanded from 8 to 22 states under Modi
When Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, the BJP and NDA were in power in only 8 states. By 2026, BJP or NDA governments are in 22 states and Union Territories. According to a figure, the BJP currently has more than 14 crore members.
Modi has made 100 foreign visits in 12 years
Since 2014, Modi has undertaken 100 foreign trips as Prime Minister. These include bilateral visits and international summits. He has visited the United States, UAE and Japan 8 times each.
Key questions about the future of the BJP
1. 2029 elections: will the Modi factor remain as strong?
Under Modi’s leadership, the BJP won 282 seats in 2014, 303 seats in 2019, and 240 seats in 2024. In all three elections, Modi remained the party’s central face. However, the 2024 results also showed that despite his continued popularity, the BJP did not secure a majority on its own.
The key question for 2029 will be whether the Modi factor alone can once again deliver a full majority, or whether the party will need to depend more on regional allies.
2. Next generation in BJP: will new national leadership emerge from states?
In recent years, the BJP has appointed leaders such as Bhajan Lal Sharma in Rajasthan, Mohan Yadav in Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Charan Majhi in Odisha, and Nayab Singh Saini in Haryana.
This is seen as part of a strategy to develop a second generation of leadership within the party.
However, at the national level, the party still does not have a universally accepted face like Modi. The performance of these leaders in the coming years will determine whether they remain state-level figures or rise in national politics.
3. Leadership after Modi: successor or collective leadership?
The BJP has never formally announced a prime ministerial successor. Even after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, leadership transition happened gradually.
At present, names such as Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, Nitin Gadkari and Rajnath Singh are often discussed, but the party has not projected any single successor.
This suggests the BJP may prefer to keep options open, where leadership decisions after Modi could depend more on organisational dynamics and political circumstances rather than a single predetermined name.
4. Biggest challenge for BJP after Modi
Since 2014, the BJP’s national expansion and electoral success have been closely linked to Modi’s leadership. In the future, the biggest challenge will not only be leadership transition but also sustaining the same level of public support.
Beyond 2029, the real test for the party will be whether it can continue its growth based on organisational strength and governance record, alongside the legacy of Modi’s popularity.
