Modi Becomes India's Longest-Serving Head of Government

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic milestone on Sunday by becoming India's longest-serving head of government, surpassing the previous record with 8,931 days in office. The achievement combines his tenure as Gujarat's chief minister from October 7, 2001, to May 26, 2014, and his subsequent roles as prime minister since 2014, exceeding the 8,930 days served by former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling.

Modi's path to this record began in Gujarat, where he led the state for over 12 years, navigating challenges including recovery from a 2001 earthquake, cyclones, droughts, and political turbulence. During that period, he was reelected four times, in 2001, 2002, 2007, and 2012, establishing himself as the state's longest-serving chief minister. In 2014, he transitioned to national leadership after the Bharatiya Janata Party secured 282 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, forming the first non-Congress single-party majority government since independence. Modi has since won reelection in 2019 and 2024, completing three consecutive terms as prime minister and becoming the first leader born after 1947 to hold the office.

Senior cabinet members praised the milestone as...