Modi makes history, celebrates 4,399 days in office as PM - the longest serving

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday achieved a major political milestone, becoming the longest-serving Prime Minister of the country since the Constitution of India came into effect. On 10 June, PM Modi completed 4,399 consecutive days in office as Prime Minister, overtaking the record of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The latter served for 4,398 uninterrupted days as the head of an elected government after the first general elections in 1952.

To celebrate this occasion, PM Modi in a post on X remarked, “Public service is the greatest measure of good governance. It is only the individual who works tirelessly with humility, dedication, and a sense of duty who earns the trust of the people.”

As he reflected on the values of public service, humility and duty that form the foundation of good governance, he added, “One who is devoted by nature, ever intent on the welfare of his subjects. A king with a humble soul indeed attains the highest glory.”

India’s longest-serving democratically elected Prime Minister, PM Modi, took oath to office for the first time on 26 May 2014. Much before overtaking the record of India's first prime minister, PM Modi had surpassed Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s longest uninterrupted tenure on 25 July 2025. Indira Gandhi's term as prime minister spanned 4,077 days, from 24 January 1966 to 24 March 1977.

Overall, Nehru led as the Prime Minister of the country for a total of 6131 days, including the period after independence until the 1951 general elections, when the Congress party secured victory. Congress also won the 1957 and 1962 elections and dominated national and state-level politics for over a decade. Nehru served as PM until his death on 27 May 1964 from a heart attack. His birthday – 14 November – is annually celebrated as Children's Day.

World leaders congratulate PM Modi

To mark this occasion, several world leaders extended their wishes to PM Modi. The President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Disanayaka, in a letter dated 8 June, expressed warm wishes on behalf of the Government and people of Sri Lanka, stating: "This milestone is a testament not only to your years in office, but also to the trust and confidence that the people of the world's largest democracy have repeatedly placed in your leadership."

Congratulating PM Modi in a personal video message, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape described India's leaders as “a role model and an example of leadership”, adding, “Lifting over 200 million people out of poverty to a good life today is an amazing feat.”

In a post on X, Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu also extended heartfelt wishes to PM Modi, “Warm congratulations to His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister by consecutive days in office.”

The post added, “The Maldives looks forward to further strengthening cooperation with India, guided by mutual respect, sovereign equality, and shared interests."