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Narendra Modi

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Narendra Damodardas Modi is a major political leader in India.

Shri Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister

He has served as the prime minister of the country since 2014. Before leading the whole nation, he was the chief minister of Gujarat.

The Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi calls on the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on June 30, 2004
The Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi calls on the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on June 30, 2004

He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, also known as the BJP. Modi is the longest-serving prime minister from a party other than the Indian National Congress. His leadership has shaped how India works on the world stage.

Informal meeting of the BRICS during the 2019 G20 Osaka summit
Informal meeting of the BRICS during the 2019 G20 Osaka summit

Modi's journey began in a small town called Vadnagar.

Narendra Modi meets his mother after winning the 2014 elections
Narendra Modi meets his mother after winning the 2014 elections

He was born there on 17 September 1950. As a young boy, he helped work in his father's tea stall at a railway station. He was also a gifted debater and loved acting in theatre productions. At age eight, he joined a group called the RSS. He later became a full-time worker for the RSS in 1971. He eventually moved into politics through the BJP.

Logo of the Bharatiya Janata Party
Logo of the Bharatiya Janata Party

His political career grew through many different roles. In 1985, the RSS assigned him to the BJP. He rose through the party ranks to become general secretary in 1998. In 2001, he was appointed the chief minister of Gujarat.

Narendra Modi hands over his resignation as Maninagar MLA to the Speaker of the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha
Narendra Modi hands over his resignation as Maninagar MLA to the Speaker of the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha

During his time in Gujarat, his administration faced much criticism. In 2002, violent clashes occurred in the state. Official records say over 1,000 people died, mostly Muslims. Other sources estimated the death toll was 2,000. A special team found no evidence to charge him with a crime in 2012.

In 2014, Modi led the BJP to a huge victory in the general election.

This was the first time the BJP had a majority since 1984. Since then, he has introduced many big changes. He started a large sanitation campaign and launched the "Make in India" plan.

Narendra Modi launches Make in India
Narendra Modi launches Make in India

He also introduced the Goods and Services Tax in 2017. Some of his choices, like changing laws for farmers, led to large protests.

Modi's time in office has seen many important events. He led India during the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization reported that 4.7 million Indians died during this time.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi interacting with the Chief Ministers via video conferencing to discuss the situation emerging post Unlock 1.0 and plan ahead for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, in New Delhi on June 16, 2020
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi interacting with the Chief Ministers via video conferencing to discuss the situation emerging post Unlock 1.0 and plan ahead for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, in New Delhi on June 16, 2020

He also presided over a conflict with Pakistan in 2025. In the 2024 election, his party lost its majority in the lower house. He now leads a coalition called the National Democratic Alliance. Even with these challenges, he often has high approval ratings.

The President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu administers the Oath of Office and Secrecy to the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi during the swearing-in ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on June 09, 2024 (5)
The President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu administers the Oath of Office and Secrecy to the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi during the swearing-in ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on June 09, 2024 (5)
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🖼️ Images & Media (31)
File:Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi in October 12, 2001.jpg
Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Atal...
File:The Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi calls on the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on June 30, 2004.jpg
The Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri...
File:Sardar Sarovar Dam 2006, India.jpg
Sardar Sarovar Dam 2006, India.jpg
File:Narendra Modi hands over his resignation as Maninagar MLA to the Speaker of the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha.jpg
Narendra Modi hands over his resignation...
File:Narendra Modi meets his mother after winning the 2014 elections.jpg
Narendra Modi meets his mother after...
File:Shri Baboolal Mewra with PM Narendra Modi.jpg
Shri Baboolal Mewra with PM Narendra Modi.jpg
File:Shri Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister.jpg
Shri Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister.jpg
File:The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind administering the oath of office of the Prime Minister to Shri Narendra Modi, at a Swearing-in Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 30, 2019 (3).jpg
The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind...
File:The President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu administers the Oath of Office and Secrecy to the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi during the swearing-in ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on June 09, 2024 (5).jpg
The President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu...
File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing the Nation on the occasion of 74th Independence Day from the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi on August 15, 2020 (2).jpg
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi...
File:Prime Minister Modi at Tirupati Balaji Temple.jpg
Prime Minister Modi at Tirupati Balaji Temple.jpg
File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi pays obeisance at Tirumala Temple, in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.jpg
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi...

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