Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7 October 2026 completed 25 years as head of government, a milestone that traces back to his oath as Gujarat Chief Minister on 7 October 2001 and spans three consecutive terms as Prime Minister since 2014. Union Ministers across the cabinet marked the occasion with tributes, crediting Modi's tenure with reshaping governance through people-centric delivery, decisive action and what they termed the 'politics of performance'.

Amit Shah's Tribute on X

Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on social media platform X in Hindi, offering what he called 'heartfelt congratulations' to Modi on completing 25 years of service and dedication. 'On this very day, October 7, 2001, Modi ji took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Since then, his continuous journey of service, struggle and dedication as Chief Minister and Prime Minister has become synonymous with the welfare of the poor, empowerment of women, upliftment of youth and prosperity of every section of society,' Shah wrote.

Shah further stated: 'In 25 years of Seva, Modi ji has transformed the very definition of governance through people-centric policies, their implementation, firmness in decision-making, transparency and a guarantee of results, while establishing the ideal of ‘politics of performance’.'

Rajnath Singh: Nation-Building and Viksit Bharat

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the 25-year journey as one that has 'come to symbolise nation-building, good governance and public welfare', with the guiding principle of 'Nation First, Always First'. Singh credited Modi's leadership with expanding welfare initiatives to an 'unprecedented scale', giving crores of citizens access to homes, tap water, toilets, LPG connections and banking services.

'Today, we have emerged as the world's fourth-largest economy, while the benefits of development have become more inclusive. Employment and opportunities for our youth have expanded, entrepreneurship and startups have received a strong impetus,' Singh said. He characterised the milestone as 'not a full stop' but a point from which Modi's national service would continue with 'renewed energy and dedication'.

Nirmala Sitharaman and the Anti-Dynasty Argument

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman offered a pointed political framing alongside her tribute. 'Until then, he had held no elected post. Through dedication, he served, learning as he went along. Selfless, no corruption, no cronies,' she said of Modi's pre-2001 record. Sitharaman explicitly invoked BJP's internal culture: 'Only in the BJP, a karyakarta gets opportunities despite having no political family or dynastic background, money, etc. A strong message for democracy.'

Other Cabinet Voices

Education Minister Pralhad Joshi called it 'a remarkable journey of 25 years in public service, defined by decisive leadership, tireless dedication and an unwavering commitment to the people of India'. Union Minister Giriraj Singh said Modi's leadership had 'created a distinct identity by placing service, resolve and national interest at the centre of public life'. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari noted that Modi had consistently 'chosen the right way, even when it was difficult', adding: 'That kind of courage is rare.' Union Minister Piyush Goyal described the occasion as '25 years of relentless devotion to Maa Bharati and her people'.

What the Milestone Represents

The 25-year mark encompasses 13 years as Gujarat Chief Minister and 12 years as Prime Minister — an unbroken run of executive authority that is rare in Indian democratic history. The tributes from the cabinet, all aligned in tone and framing, signal a coordinated effort to use the anniversary to consolidate the government's narrative around delivery and institutional reform ahead of a slate of upcoming state elections. Whether the record lives up to the billing will remain a matter of continued political and policy scrutiny.