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The list of Deputy Prime Ministers of India from 1947 to 2018 or even 2024 includes some of the most important leaders in the country’s political history. For the uninformed, the Deputy Prime Minister refers to the second-highest-ranking official in India’s government. He is responsible for assisting the Prime Minister in various duties. Several prominent figures such as Sardar Vallabhai Patel have held this position, contributing to India’s growth and development. Learning about these leaders can help you prepare for the general knowledge questions. Here are more details along with the complete list of Deputy Prime Ministers of India and their tenure.
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List of Deputy Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 2024
The Deputy Prime Minister of India holds an important position in the government. Here is a list of Deputy Prime Ministers of India from 1947 to 2024.
| Deputy Prime Minister of India | Tenure | Political Party | Achievements |
| Vallabhbhai Patel | 1947-1950 | Bhartiya Janta Party | Known as the “Iron Man of India”. Played a huge role in the integration of princely states into India. |
| Morarji Desai | 1967-1969 | Indian National Congress | Became the first PM outside INC, CM of Bombay, and Minister of Finance. |
| Chaudhary Charan Singh | 1977-1979 | Janata Party | Advocate for farmers’ rights and founding member of the Janata Party. |
| Jagjivan Ram | 1979 | Indian National Congress | Prominent Dalit leader who held various key ministries in government. |
| Yashwantrao Chavan | 1979-1980 | Congress | First Chief Minister of Maharashtra, held positions like Finance Minister and Defence Minister. |
| Chaudhary Devi Lal | 2002-2004 | Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) | Played a role in PMGSY and the formation of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). |
| Lal Krishna Advani | 2002-2004 | Bhartiya Janta Party | Implemented POTA and established the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). |
5 Most Famous Deputy Prime Ministers of India
Here are the 5 most famous Deptu Prime Ministers of India who served in this important position and their major achievements.
1. Vallabhbhai Patel
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was an Indian statesman and one of the key leaders in the struggle for independence. He served as India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and played a crucial role in unifying the country by integrating over 560 princely states into India after independence. Known as the “Iron Man of India,” Patel was admired for his strong leadership and decisive actions. He is also remembered for his efforts to ensure the peaceful political unification of India. His legacy lives on through the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world, which honours his contribution to India’s unity.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full name | Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel |
| Born | October 31, 1875 |
| Died | October 31, 1875 |
2. Lal Krishna Advani
Lal Krishna Advani, born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, was a prominent Indian politician and a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He played a key role in strengthening the party, making it one of India’s major political forces. Advani served as the deputy prime minister of India from 2002 to 2004 and was known for his leadership in the BJP. He is also famous for leading the political rath yatras in the 1990s. Advani’s contributions were recognised when he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | November 8, 1927 |
| Title | Rajya Sabha (1970 – 1989) |
3. Charan Singh
Charan Singh was an important Indian politician born on December 23, 1902. He served as India’s prime minister for a brief period in 1979 and was the first non-Congress chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Known as the “champion of farmers,” Singh worked hard for land reforms and rural development. He played a key role in forming the Janata Party in 1977. Singh’s efforts to improve farmers’ lives are remembered, and his birthday, December 23, is celebrated as National Farmers Day. He passed away in 1987, leaving a lasting legacy.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full name | Chaudhary Charan Singh |
| Born | December 23, 1902 |
| Died | May 29, 1987 |
4. Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan
Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan was a prominent Indian politician and a key figure in the independence movement. He played a major role in the formation of Maharashtra as a separate state in 1960, serving as its first chief minister. Chavan was known for his dedication to social and economic development, focusing on agricultural and industrial growth. He also held important national positions, including defence and finance minister. Today, he is remembered as the architect of modern Maharashtra, with several institutions named in his honour.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | March 12, 1913 |
| Died | November 25, 1984 |
5. Chaudhary Devi Lal
Chaudhary Devi Lal, born on September 25, 1914, was an influential Indian politician who played a key role in the creation of Haryana as a separate state from Punjab in 1966. He was the Chief Minister of Haryana twice and also served as the Deputy Prime Minister of India. A strong advocate for farmers and rural communities, he founded the Indian National Lok Dal party. Lal’s political career spanned several decades, during which he worked tirelessly for the rights of farmers and other marginalised groups in India.
Source: ABP News/ Picture of Chaudhary Devi Lal
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | September 25, 1914 |
| Died | April 6, 2001 |
| Founder | Indian National Lok Dal |
Difference Between Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister
The Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister are two key figures in India’s government. While the Prime Minister is the head of the government, the Deputy Prime Minister serves as the second-in-command, assisting with responsibilities when the Prime Minister is unavailable.
| Aspect | Prime Minister | Deputy Prime Minister |
| Position | Head of Government | Second-in-command to the Prime Minister |
| Role | Leads the Cabinet, formulates policies, and represents India globally | Supports the Prime Minister and handles specific duties |
FAQs
India has had a total of 7 Deputy Prime Ministers since 1947 to 2024. These leaders hailed from different political parties and have served in various governments since independence.
The 7th Deputy Prime Minister of India was Lal Krishna Advani. He served from 2002 to 2004 in the government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
India does not have a position called “Deputy Minister.” However, the post of Deputy Prime Minister of India remains vacant with Lal Krishna Advani as the last person to serve from 2002 till 2004.
As of 2024, the Deputy Chief Ministers in India vary by state. For example, in Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya serves as Deputy Chief Minister, and in Bihar, Shri Samrat Chaudhary holds the position. The role is state-specific, not at the national level.
India’s first Deputy Prime Minister was Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, who served from 1947 to 1950. He is also known as the “Iron Man of India” for his pivotal role in integrating the princely states into the Indian Union.
There is no specific upper age limit for the position of Prime Minister in India. However, a person must be at least 25 years old if they are a member of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) or 30 years old if they are a member of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
The first Deputy Prime Minister of free India was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who served from 1947 to 1950. He played a crucial role in shaping post-independence India and is remembered for his efforts in unifying the country.
Interesting Reads
Hope you enjoyed reading this list of Deputy Prime Minister of India. If you want to read blogs on similar topics, make sure to check out the Famous Personalities category by Leverage Edu.
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