Deputy Prime Minister of India

The Deputy Prime Minister of India is one of the highest ranking ministers in the government of India but this is an extra-constitutional post and carries no specific powers under the Constitution of India. Despite having such an important role in the administrative structure of the country, this post remains vacant since 2004. The last Deputy Prime Minister was L. K. Advani (2002–2004).

The Deputy Prime Ministers of India had a great legacy in the history of Indian Political landscape. Morarji Desai succeeded Vallabhbhai Patel and was known for his discipline, strategic policymaking. He eventually became the Prime Minister of India. In 1977-79, Charan Singh served as Deputy Prime minister of India. He contributed to agricultural reforms, addressing the needs of the vulnerable people in rural India. Other leaders such as Jagjivan Ram, Yashwantrao Chavan, and Devi Lal introduced unique developmental changes in Indian society. Jagjivan Ram fought for Dalit rights, Yashwantrao Chavan ensured internal security during tough times in the country, and Devi Lal stood by the farming community, reinforcing empathy in governance.

List of Deputy Prime Minister of India

Since the Independence of India, There have been a total seven Deputy Prime Ministers in India. The leaders served numerous other important portfolios. Following is the list of the Deputy Prime Ministers of Independent India:

S. No.	Name	Tenure
1	Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	1947 – 1950
2	Morarji Desai	1967 – 1969
3	Charan Singh and Jagjivan Ram (Jointly)	1977 – 1979
4	Y. B. Chavan	1979 – 1980
5	Devi Lal	1989 – 1990
6	Devi Lal	1990 – 1991
7	L. K. Advani	2002 – 2004

Extra-Constitutional Role of Deputy Prime Minister

Article 75 of the Indian Constitution mentions the provisions for the appointment of the Prime Minister and other ministers. However, this post of the Deputy Prime Minister of India is meant for administrative convenience at the discretion of the Prime Minister. The post is not mentioned in the constitution of India. The Supreme Court has previously said that the post of the Deputy Prime Minister of India does not confer additional powers or rank rather he/she has no special constitutional mandate.

Duties and Functions

The following are the duties and functions as:

Assists the Prime Minister

He/She assists the Prime Minister in making important policy decisions, managing government affairs, and looking after the administration of key ministries, handling essential portfolios like Home Affairs, Defence, and Finance.

Coordinates between Ministries

He/She ensures smooth communication and coordination among various ministries and departments to facilitate effective governance.

Act as a senior advisor

He/She provides strategic advice to the Prime Minister on national political and international issues.

Act as an acting Prime Minister

He/She performs the duties and responsibilities of the Prime Minister in their absence due to travel, illness, or any other reasons.

Table of Precedence

It is related to the rank and order of the government officers of the Union and State in India. But, the order in this Table is meant only for ceremonial occasions. The present notification on this subject was issued on 26 July, 1979. This notification superseded all the previous notifications and was also amended many times. The table of precedence showcasing the deputy prime minister of India is given below:

President
Vice-President
Prime Minister
Governors of states within their respective states
Former Presidents

5A. Deputy Prime Minister

Chief Justice of India, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and other constitutional authorities

First Deputy Prime Minister of India

The first deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel born on 31 October, 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat. He was an Indian barrister and a leader of the INC political party during the Indian independence struggle. During the first three years of Indian independence after 1947, he served on numerous government profiles such as deputy prime minister, minister of home affairs, minister of information, and minister of states. Vallabhbhai Patel was the first Indian to hold such a prestigious position of the deputy prime minister of India, and is widely known as the ‘Iron Man of India’. He united more than 560 princely states into one nation after independence showcasing his extraordinary negotiation skills and robust determination. He died 15 December, 1950 in Mumbai.

Last Deputy Prime Minister of India

The last deputy Prime Minister, Lal Krishna Advani born on 8 November, 1927 in Karachi, British India [now in Pakistan]. He is an Indian politician and a founding member of the BJP political party. He became deputy prime minister of India (2002–04). He was largely responsible for popularizing and strengthening the BJP, which, from its formation in 1980, emerged as one of the strongest political forces in India.

Conclusion

The Deputy Prime Minister is an honourable but a non-constitutional position. This post was created for administrative and political convenience. The role is majorly to assist the Prime Minister, look after good governance, and manage key ministries. Though not defined in the Constitution, the Deputy Prime Minister has historically played a significant part in maintaining political stability, supporting major policy decisions.

FAQs

Who is the current Deputy Prime Minister of India in 2025?

There is no current deputy PM of India as of 2025. The post has remained vacant since L.K. Advani (2002-2004).

Is the Deputy Prime Minister a constitutional post in India?

No, it is not mentioned in the Constitution. It is a political appointment at the PM’s discretion, often for coalition balance or seniority recognition.

Who was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India?

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel served as the first Deputy PM from 1947-1950. He also held the Home Minister portfolio.

How many Deputy Prime Ministers has India had?

India has had 7 individuals serve as Deputy PM since 1947, with some holding concurrently (e.g., Devi Lal twice).