Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi
Born	Narendra Damodardas Modi 17 9, 1950
Birthplace	Vadnagar, Bombay State, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Politician
Title	Prime Minister of India
Known for	Prime Minister of India, Chief Minister of Gujarat
Spouse(s)	Jashodaben

Narendra Damodardas Modi (born 17 September 1950) is an Indian politician serving as the Prime Minister of India since May 2014. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Modi previously served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. Born and raised in the small town of Vadnagar in what was then Bombay State, Modi's political journey took him from working as a full-time RSS organiser in his early twenties to leading the world's most populous democracy. He represents the constituency of Varanasi in the Lok Sabha, India's lower house of Parliament. Modi led the BJP to a parliamentary majority in the 2014 Indian general election, the first single-party majority since 1984, and won re-election in 2019. His tenure as prime minister has been marked by significant policy initiatives including the demonetisation of high-value banknotes, the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax, the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, and the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act. His administration's handling of the 2002 Gujarat violence as chief minister, its management of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, and several of its legislative actions have drawn both domestic and international scrutiny. In the 2024 Indian general election, the BJP lost its single-party majority in the Lok Sabha and formed a coalition government. He is the longest-serving prime minister from outside the Indian National Congress.

Early Life

Narendra Damodardas Modi was born on 17 September 1950 in Vadnagar, a town in the Mehsana district of Bombay State (present-day Gujarat), India. He completed his secondary education in Vadnagar. According to accounts of his early years, Modi was introduced to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the age of eight, beginning a lifelong association with the Hindu nationalist organisation.

Modi's early life was shaped by modest circumstances. According to a report by The Washington Post, he was married at a young age to Jashodaben in an arranged marriage, though the couple separated early and Modi did not publicly acknowledge the marriage for decades. He formally named Jashodaben as his spouse only when required to do so on his nomination papers for the 2014 general election.

In 1971, Modi became a full-time worker (pracharak) for the RSS in Gujarat, dedicating himself to organisational work for the movement. His years as an RSS worker shaped his ideological orientation and provided him with organisational skills that would later define his political career. The RSS, a right-wing Hindutva volunteer organisation founded in 1925, served as the broader ideological family from which the BJP would later emerge as a political party.

Career

Early Political Career and Rise in the BJP

The RSS assigned Modi to the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1985, marking his formal entry into electoral politics. Within the party, Modi rose steadily through the organisational hierarchy over the following decade. He was involved in internal party management and election strategy, developing a reputation as an effective organiser. In January 1998, Modi was appointed General Secretary (Organisation) of the BJP, a position of significant influence within the party's internal structure. He served in this role until October 2001.

Modi's rise within the BJP hierarchy was documented in an extensive profile by The Caravan magazine, which described his ascent through the party's ranks as driven by organisational ability and his deep roots within the RSS structure.

Chief Minister of Gujarat (2001–2014)

In October 2001, Modi was appointed Chief Minister of Gujarat, replacing Keshubhai Patel. He was subsequently elected to the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from the Rajkot II constituency. He later represented the Maninagar constituency from December 2002 to May 2014.

2002 Gujarat Violence

Modi's tenure as chief minister was profoundly shaped by the communal violence that engulfed Gujarat in 2002. According to official records, a little over 1,000 people were killed in the violence, three-quarters of whom were Muslim. Independent sources estimated approximately 2,000 deaths, the majority Muslim, with many others subjected to sexual violence and mutilation. Modi's administration was considered complicit in the violence and was criticised for its management of the crisis.

The matter was subject to prolonged legal proceedings. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Supreme Court of India concluded in 2012 that there was insufficient evidence to initiate prosecution proceedings against Modi, a finding that generated widespread anger and disbelief among India's Muslim communities. The violence and its aftermath had lasting consequences for Modi's political image both domestically and internationally; several countries, including the United States, denied him visa entry for a number of years following the events.

Economic and Governance Record in Gujarat

As chief minister, Modi's administration was credited by some observers for encouraging economic growth in Gujarat. However, independent assessments indicated that his government failed to significantly improve health, poverty, and education indices in the state. This mixed record—economic development alongside persistent social deficits—became a subject of debate during his subsequent campaigns for national office.

Modi served as chief minister for over twelve years, winning successive elections in 2002, 2007, and 2012. His time as Gujarat's leader established him as one of the BJP's most prominent state-level figures and positioned him as a leading candidate for the party's prime ministerial nomination.

Prime Minister of India

First Term (2014–2019)

In the 2014 Indian general election, Modi led the BJP to a decisive parliamentary majority, the first for any single party since 1984. He was sworn in as Prime Minister on 26 May 2014, succeeding Manmohan Singh of the Indian National Congress. Modi also won the Lok Sabha seat from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, succeeding Murli Manohar Joshi as the constituency's representative.

Modi's first term was defined by several high-profile policy initiatives. His administration increased direct foreign investment while reducing spending on healthcare, education, and social-welfare programmes. He launched a prominent sanitation campaign, the Swachh Bharat Mission, aimed at eliminating open defecation and improving waste management across India.

The administration also weakened or abolished various environmental and labour laws, moves that supporters described as removing barriers to economic growth and critics characterised as undermining protections for workers and the environment.

Demonetisation (2016): On 8 November 2016, Modi announced the demonetisation of ₹500 and ₹1,000 banknotes, which together constituted the vast majority of currency in circulation. The stated objectives included combating corruption, counterfeit currency, and tax evasion. The decision caused significant economic disruption, particularly in the informal sector, and sparked sustained controversy regarding its planning, implementation, and ultimate effectiveness.

Goods and Services Tax (2017): The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017 represented a major overhaul of India's indirect tax system, replacing a complex array of central and state taxes with a unified national tax. While described as the most significant tax reform since independence, its initial implementation was marked by confusion, compliance burdens on small businesses, and criticism of its multi-rate structure.

Foreign Policy and the Balakot Airstrike: In February 2019, following a suicide attack on Indian security forces in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, Modi's administration launched an airstrike against an alleged terrorist training camp in Balakot, Pakistan. According to assessments, the airstrike failed to achieve its stated military objective, but the action had significant nationalist appeal and influenced public sentiment in the lead-up to the 2019 general election.

Second Term (2019–2024)

Modi's BJP won the 2019 Indian general election with an increased majority, securing a commanding mandate. The party's second term in government was marked by a series of consequential legislative and executive actions.

Revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's Special Status: In August 2019, Modi's government revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which had granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. The state was simultaneously bifurcated into two union territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh—under direct central government administration. The move was accompanied by a communications blackout, the detention of local political leaders, and the deployment of additional security forces. It drew both domestic and international criticism regarding civil liberties and democratic process.

Citizenship Amendment Act: The government enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in December 2019, which provided a path to Indian citizenship for persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan—specifically Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—while excluding Muslims. The legislation prompted widespread protests across India and was described by critics as discriminatory and contrary to India's secular constitutional principles. The protests and associated tensions contributed to the 2020 Delhi riots, in which Muslims were targeted by Hindu mobs.

Farm Laws Controversy: The government passed three farm laws in 2020 that were intended to liberalise agricultural markets. The laws provoked one of the largest protest movements in modern Indian history, with farmers—predominantly from Punjab and Haryana—staging prolonged sit-ins at the borders of New Delhi. After over a year of sustained protests, Modi announced the formal repeal of the three laws in November 2021.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Modi oversaw India's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a devastating impact on the country. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 4.7 million Indians died during the pandemic. The government's handling of the crisis, particularly during the severe second wave in April–May 2021, drew significant criticism over oxygen shortages, overwhelmed hospitals, and mass cremations. The pandemic response became a focal point of political debate.

Third Term (2024–present)

In the 2024 Indian general election, the BJP lost its single-party majority in the Lok Sabha. Modi's party subsequently formed a coalition government to secure a parliamentary majority. The election result represented a reduced mandate compared to the party's performance in 2014 and 2019.

As of February 2026, Modi continues to serve as Prime Minister. His government has pursued an active foreign policy agenda, including diplomatic engagements with multiple nations. In February 2026, Modi undertook an official visit to Israel, his second to the country, scheduled for 25–26 February 2026. The visit included a planned address to the Knesset, Israel's parliament. The visit attracted analysis regarding its geopolitical implications and the evolving nature of India-Israel relations.

Modi's government also revised a bilateral tax treaty with France on dividends following a meeting between Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in New Delhi.

Personal Life

Modi was married to Jashodaben in an arranged marriage when both were young. The couple separated early in the marriage, and Modi did not publicly acknowledge the union for decades. He formally declared Jashodaben as his spouse on his nomination papers for the 2014 general election, as required by the Election Commission of India. According to The Washington Post, Jashodaben continued to live separately and expressed hope that her husband would contact her.

Modi is a lifelong member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and has described the organisation as central to his personal and political formation. His official residence as Prime Minister is 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi.

Recognition

Modi has received numerous awards and honours during his political career, both domestic and international. His electoral achievements—leading the BJP to three consecutive general election victories in 2014, 2019, and 2024—have been noted as among the most significant in Indian political history, although the 2024 result required a coalition government.

His profile as a global leader was established through extensive diplomatic engagement. He has met with heads of state and government leaders across the world and has been featured on the cover of Time magazine on multiple occasions. His international visits, including his 2026 visit to Israel with an address to the Knesset, have drawn global media attention.

Modi is the longest-serving prime minister from outside the Indian National Congress, a distinction that reflects both his electoral dominance and the extended period of BJP governance under his leadership.

His record, however, has also drawn sustained criticism. The 2002 Gujarat violence, questions regarding democratic norms, the treatment of religious minorities, press freedom, and the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic have been subjects of concern raised by domestic opposition leaders, international human rights organisations, and sections of the media.

Legacy

Narendra Modi's political career has reshaped the landscape of Indian politics in several measurable ways. His leadership transformed the BJP from a party reliant on coalition partnerships into one capable of securing single-party majorities, fundamentally altering the dynamics of India's multi-party parliamentary system—at least until the 2024 election returned the party to coalition governance.

As chief minister of Gujarat and later as prime minister, Modi championed a model of governance that prioritised economic development, infrastructure expansion, and the centralisation of decision-making authority. His signature economic policies—demonetisation and the GST—remain among the most debated economic reforms in contemporary Indian history, with assessments varying on their long-term impact.

On the legislative front, the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status and the Citizenship Amendment Act represented fundamental shifts in India's constitutional and legal framework. These actions, along with the farm laws episode and its eventual reversal, illustrated both the ambition of Modi's legislative agenda and the limits imposed by democratic protest and opposition.

Modi's relationship with the RSS and the broader Hindutva movement has been a defining feature of his political identity. His tenure has coincided with a period in which Hindu nationalism became a more overt element of Indian governance and public discourse, a development that supporters describe as a correction of historical neglect and critics characterise as a departure from India's secular constitutional traditions.

His management of India's COVID-19 response, during which the World Health Organization estimated 4.7 million deaths in India, remains a contested element of his record.

In foreign policy, Modi has pursued closer relationships with a range of nations, including the United States, Israel, France, and countries in the Gulf region. His 2026 visit to Israel, including an address to the Knesset, was described by analysts as reflecting a deepening bilateral relationship with significant geopolitical implications.