Modi thanks President Murmu after crossing Nehru's record as longest-serving elected PM
Synopsis
On 10 June, Narendra Modi crossed 4,399 days as an elected Prime Minister, surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru's record — a milestone President Droupadi Murmu marked with a rare public tribute on X, centring not just on longevity but on tribal welfare and Antyodaya. The exchange reveals how both the Presidency and the government are framing this record: less about political dominance, more about grassroots reach.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi completed 4,399 days as an elected Prime Minister on 10 June , surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru's record.
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Modi in a post on X , calling it a 'testament to the enduring trust' of the Indian people.
Modi responded on X , attributing the milestone to the 'collective efforts and aspirations' of 140 crore Indians .
Both the President and the Prime Minister highlighted PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan as flagship tribal welfare schemes.
Modi is now in his third consecutive term , having first taken office in May 2014 .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 10 June expressed gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu after she congratulated him on becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister, surpassing the record held by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Modi completed 4,399 days in office as an elected Prime Minister, crossing Nehru's tenure on the same day.
Modi's Response to the President
Responding to President Murmu's congratulatory message in a post on X, Modi attributed the milestone to the collective will of the country's citizens. 'Rashtrapati Ji, I am grateful to you for your warm wishes and kind words. Whatever has been achieved over the years is the result of the collective efforts and aspirations of the people of India. The affection and blessings of 140 crore Indians are my greatest strength and inspiration,' he said.
Modi also specifically welcomed the President's mention of two tribal welfare programmes, calling it a reflection of the government's commitment to inclusive development. 'I am particularly glad that you mentioned PM-JANMAN and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. Our Government remains committed to ensuring that the benefits of development reach every section of society in the true spirit of Antyodaya,' he added.
What President Murmu Said
Earlier in the day, President Murmu posted her congratulatory message on X, describing the occasion as a testament to the democratic trust Indians have placed in Modi's leadership. 'Heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji on the unique honour of serving as the longest continuously elected Prime Minister of the nation. This landmark occasion stands as a testament to the enduring trust and confidence reposed in your leadership by the people of India,' she wrote.
Murmu highlighted what she described as 12 years of progress in governance, economic resilience, and social transformation under Modi's tenure. She singled out PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan as initiatives that held a 'special place' in her heart for their focus on tribal welfare and empowerment.
The Historic Milestone
Modi first took oath as Prime Minister in May 2014 and has since served across two full terms and into a third, accumulating 4,399 days as an elected Prime Minister by 10 June. This places him ahead of Nehru, who served as India's first Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964, though Nehru's tenure included years before India held its first general election in 1952 — a distinction that underpins the 'elected' qualifier in this record.
Notably, the milestone arrives as Modi leads a coalition government in his third consecutive term, having returned to power following the 2024 general elections.
Antyodaya and Tribal Welfare Focus
Both Modi and Murmu's exchanges centred prominently on the principle of Antyodaya — reaching the last person in the developmental chain — and on tribal welfare schemes. President Murmu, herself from a tribal community, has consistently highlighted grassroots welfare as a benchmark for governance. The emphasis on PM-JANMAN, a scheme targeting particularly vulnerable tribal groups, signals the government's intent to frame this milestone within its social equity narrative.
As Modi enters what is now uncharted territory for elected Indian Prime Ministers, attention will turn to how his third term's policy agenda unfolds against the backdrop of this historic tenure.
Point of View
A framing that will invite scrutiny from historians. More substantively, the fact that both Murmu and Modi anchored their exchange around tribal welfare and Antyodaya is a deliberate political signal: this government wants its longevity judged by its reach to the margins, not just macroeconomic metrics. Whether PM-JANMAN and allied schemes have materially shifted outcomes for particularly vulnerable tribal groups remains a question that independent assessments have answered only partially. The milestone is real; the narrative around it is carefully constructed.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days has PM Modi served as Prime Minister to set this record?
PM Narendra Modi completed 4,399 days as an elected Prime Minister on 10 June, surpassing the record previously held by Jawaharlal Nehru. This count covers his tenure from May 2014 through his current third term.
Why is the record specifically for 'elected' Prime Minister?
The distinction matters because Jawaharlal Nehru served as Prime Minister from 1947, but India's first general election was held only in 1952. The 'elected' qualifier counts only tenure following a democratic mandate, which is why Nehru's pre-election years are excluded from the comparison.
What did President Droupadi Murmu say about PM Modi's milestone?
President Murmu posted a congratulatory message on X, calling the occasion a 'testament to the enduring trust and confidence reposed in your leadership by the people of India.' She highlighted 12 years of governance, economic resilience, and social transformation, and singled out PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan as programmes close to her heart.
What is PM-JANMAN and why was it mentioned?
PM-JANMAN is a government scheme targeting particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs), focused on improving their access to basic services and development benefits. Both Modi and President Murmu — herself from a tribal background — referenced it as an example of the Antyodaya principle of reaching the last person in the developmental chain.
Which term is PM Modi currently serving in?
PM Modi is currently in his third consecutive term, having returned to power following the 2024 general elections at the head of a coalition government.
