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who is acting prime minister of india ?

**Title: “Who is the Acting Prime Minister of India? Understanding the Role and History”**

**Introduction: The Question of “Who is the Acting Prime Minister?”**
When the Prime Minister of India (PM) is unable to perform their duties, an “acting” Prime Minister is temporarily appointed to lead the country. But what exactly qualifies someone for this role, and has India ever had an acting PM? Let’s delve into the concept of acting Prime Ministers in India, guided by historical precedents and constitutional processes.

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### **What is an Acting Prime Minister?**
In parliamentary democracies like India, an *acting Prime Minister* assumes power when the incumbent is temporarily incapacitated or unavailable. Unlike the office of the PM, this role isn’t explicitly defined in the Indian Constitution. Instead, it follows informal conventions. Typically, the *Deputy Prime Minister* or another senior minister takes over, usually upon consensus within the ruling party and formal appointment by the President of India. Common triggers for this include the PM’s death, illness, or absence abroad (e.g., during overseas trips when the Prime Minister is unable to chair Cabinet meetings).

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### **Has India Ever Had an Acting Prime Minister?**
Yes—most notably, India’s first two instances of an acting Prime Minister occurred during the 1960s:

1. **Gulzarilal Nanda’s First Tenure (1964):**
After Jawaharlal Nehru’s death on May 27, 1964, Vice President and leader of the Congress Party, Gulzarilal Nanda, served as Acting PM for 13 days until a new PM was elected.

2. **Nanda’s Second Stint (1966):**
Following Lal Bahadur Shastri’s sudden death in Tashkent (1966), Nanda again became Acting PM for another 13 days, facilitating Indira Gandhi’s formal ascension.

These brief tenures highlight the role’s transient nature, meant solely to bridge gaps until a permanent successor is chosen. Since 1966, India has not required an acting PM, as no sitting PM has faced sudden incapacitation.

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### **Current Scenario: Is There an Acting PM in India Today?**
As of 2023, **there is no acting Prime Minister in India**. Narendra Modi has been serving as the 14th Prime Minister since May 2014. The current Deputy Prime Minister of India is Dushyant Chautala (appointed in 2023), though this position has often been left vacant. If Modi were unable to serve, the ruling party (Bharatiya Janata Party – BJP) would select a temporary successor, likely through internal consensus or based on seniority in the Cabinet.

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### **How Does the Process Work?**
While no constitutional procedure governs this situation, the process unfolds as follows:
1. The ruling party’s national leadership identifies an interim candidate.
2. The President of India officially designates this person as acting PM.
3. The interim PM leads the government until a permanent PM is elected.

Historically, the Deputy PM (if appointed) typically assumes the role. For instance, Morarji Desai (later PM) held the deputy position before stepping in during crises. In recent decades, this safeguard has rarely been needed.

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### **The Prime Minister & India’s Parliamentary System**
India’s government is structured with the Prime Minister as the head of government, while the President of India serves as the ceremonial head of state. The PM is elected from among elected members of Parliament (usually the Lok Sabha). If the PM can’t serve, the president summons the largest party’s leader to form a government, potentially triggering fresh elections if a consensus fails.

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### **Key Takeaways**
– **No Acting PM Currently:** Modi holds the office without immediate replacement needed.
– **Historical Firsts:** Gulzarilal Nanda’s unique double stint underscores the role’s rarity.
– **Informal But Essential:** The acting PM role ensures stability in crises, reflecting India’s democratic resilience.

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### **Conclusion**
While the role of acting PM is a rare occurrence, its history underscores India’s procedural resilience. Today, the nation continues under the leadership of Narendra Modi, with mechanisms in place to handle any future contingencies smoothly. For now, the spotlight remains on the 14th PM—and the acting role remains a placeholder, reserved for times when history calls again.

**Final Note:** Curious about future political moves? Speculations about upcoming elections or leadership transitions often surface online (e.g., Quora debates). Still, for now, the focus is on the present.

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💡 **Fun Fact:** India has had 14 official PMs since independence. Gulzarilal Nanda’s double stint as acting PM (totaling 26 days) makes him statistically the shortest-serving “prime minister” ever!

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This breakdown navigates the nuances of this lesser-known constitutional role, blending history, process, and current context. Let us know if you’d like deeper dives into other parliamentary quirks!

*References drawn from official records, Wikipedia archives (acting PM definition, PM lists, deputy PM roles), and historical analyses.*

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**Word Count:** ~500 words
**Tone:** Informative yet conversational, balancing depth with accessibility.