Study Guides/General Knowledge/Deputy Prime Minister of India — Current and Historical List
Study Guide · General Knowledge

Deputy Prime Minister of India

India currently does not have a Deputy Prime Minister (as of 2025). The post is not mandatory under the Indian Constitution — it is a political appointment. The last person to hold the position was L.K. Advani (2002–2004) during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's NDA government. India has had 7 Deputy Prime Ministers since Independence.

Question (Click to Flip)

Who is the current Deputy Prime Minister of India?

Answer

India currently does not have a Deputy Prime Minister (as of 2025). The post is not mandatory under the Indian Constitution. The last DPM was L.K. Advani (2002–2004) during PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government. The first DPM was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1947–1950). India has had only 7 Deputy Prime Ministers since Independence.

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Key Facts

India currently (2025) has NO Deputy Prime Minister.

The post of Deputy PM is not mandatory under the Indian Constitution.

Last DPM: L.K. Advani (29 June 2002 – 22 May 2004) under PM Vajpayee.

First DPM: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1947–1950) under PM Nehru.

Total 7 Deputy Prime Ministers in India since Independence.

The post has been vacant since May 2004.

Constitutional basis: Article 74 — Council of Ministers (no specific DPM provision).

Deputy Prime Minister of India — Current Status and All DPMs

Current Deputy Prime Minister of India: • As of 2025: NO Deputy Prime Minister • The Modi government (2014–present) has not appointed a Deputy PM • Constitutional position: The Constitution does not make DPM a mandatory post

All Deputy Prime Ministers of India (Complete List):

NameTenureDuring PM
Vallabhbhai Patel15 Aug 1947 – 15 Dec 1950Jawaharlal Nehru
Morarji Desai13 Mar 1967 – 16 Jul 1969Indira Gandhi
Charan Singh24 Jan 1979 – 28 Jul 1979Morarji Desai
Jagjivan Ram24 Jan 1979 – 28 Jul 1979Morarji Desai
Y.B. Chavan14 Jan 1979 – 28 Feb 1979Charan Singh
Devi Lal2 Dec 1989 – 1 Aug 1991V.P. Singh / Chandra Shekhar
L.K. Advani29 Jun 2002 – 22 May 2004Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Key Facts: • First Deputy PM: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Iron Man of India) • Last Deputy PM: L.K. Advani (BJP; NDA government) • The post has remained vacant since 2004 • Indira Gandhi did not have a Deputy PM during most of her tenure • Constitutional basis: Article 74 — Council of Ministers; no separate DPM provision

Note: • The position of Deputy PM carries the salary and perquisites of a Cabinet Minister • Acts as PM in absence of PM (if asked to do so) • Not automatically next in line — the senior-most Cabinet Minister may be asked to preside

Questions and Answers

Who is the current Deputy Prime Minister of India?+

India currently does not have a Deputy Prime Minister (as of 2025). The post is not mandatory under the Indian Constitution. The last DPM was L.K. Advani (2002–2004) during PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government. The first DPM was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1947–1950). India has had only 7 Deputy Prime Ministers since Independence.

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