Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi
	File:The official portrait of Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India.jpg ; Narendra Modi in 2024
Office	Prime Minister of India
Office	Chief Minister of Gujarat ; ; ;
Term start	26 May 2014 ;
Predecessor	Manmohan Singh ;
Predecessor	Keshubhai Patel
Successor	Anandiben Patel
Constituency	Varanasi
Constituency	Maninagar
Born	17 September 1950
Born	Vadnagar, Gujarat, India ; ; ;
Political party	Bharatiya Janata Party ; ; ;
Alma mater	University of Delhi
Occupation	Politician ;

Narendra Damodardas Modi (born 17 September 1950) is an Indian politician serving as the Prime Minister of India. He is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha.

Modi became Prime Minister following the 2014 Indian general election and was re-elected in 2019. He was sworn in for a third consecutive term on 9 June 2024 following the 2024 Indian general election.

Early life and education

Narendra Damodardas Modi was born on 17 September 1950 in Vadnagar, in present-day Gujarat, India. He grew up in a family of modest means.

Modi became associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at a young age and later became a full-time worker of the organisation.

He studied at the University of Delhi and later obtained a master's degree in political science from Gujarat University.

Political career

Bharatiya Janata Party

Modi became involved in the organisational activities of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Gujarat during the 1980s. He subsequently held several organisational positions within the party.

During the 1990s, he worked in BJP organisational activities in several parts of India and became an important party strategist.

Chief Minister of Gujarat

Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001, succeeding Keshubhai Patel.

He remained Chief Minister until May 2014. During his tenure, his government emphasised infrastructure, industrial development, investment, electricity, water supply and administrative reforms.

The Vibrant Gujarat investment summits were established during this period to promote Gujarat as an investment destination.

Prime Minister of India

First term

The BJP won a majority in the 2014 Indian general election, and Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister on 26 May 2014.

His first government launched or expanded programmes including Make in India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat Mission, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Skill India and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

Second term

The BJP won a majority again in the 2019 Indian general election. Modi was sworn in for a second term on 30 May 2019.

During his second term, the government introduced major policy and legislative changes, including the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

Third term

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance formed the government following the 2024 Indian general election. Modi was sworn in for his third consecutive term as Prime Minister on 9 June 2024.

Policies and initiatives

Major initiatives associated with Modi's governments include:

Economic policies

Modi's governments have pursued policies focused on infrastructure development, manufacturing, financial inclusion, digitalisation and economic formalisation.

The Goods and Services Tax was introduced in 2017, replacing several indirect taxes with a unified national tax framework.

In 2016, the government announced the demonetisation of ₹500 and ₹1,000 banknotes, a decision that generated extensive public and economic debate.

Foreign policy

Modi's governments have placed significant emphasis on India's relations with major powers, neighbouring countries and emerging economies.

India has participated actively in international organisations and forums including the G20, BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the United Nations.

India hosted the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit during Modi's second term.

International Day of Yoga

In 2014, Modi proposed the establishment of an international day dedicated to yoga during an address to the United Nations General Assembly.

The United Nations subsequently designated 21 June as the International Day of Yoga.

Awards and honours

Modi has received numerous international awards and state honours during his political career.

Order of Zayed — United Arab Emirates
Order of St. Andrew the Apostle — Russia
Grand Collar of the State of Palestine
Order of the Druk Gyalpo — Bhutan
Legion of Honour — France
Order of the Nile — Egypt
Seoul Peace Prize — 2018

External links

Prime Minister's Office